The Monte Vista journal., 1916-09-02
APPEALS nIREcrLYTocoNeREss
TO AVERT CALAMITY THREAT
ENIN0 UNITED STATES.
amend MEDIATION ACT
INTERSTATE COMMISSION TO
CONSIDER INCREASED COST
IN MAKING RATES.

Washington.-Presiden Wilson laid
the railway strike situation before
Congress Aug. 20 in an address to
both houses assembled In joint ses-
sion The President told of his ef-
forts to bring the railroad managers
and the men into some sort of agree
ment and saying he was powerless to
do more, asked Congress to enact
legislation to deal with the situation.
Pointing out the distress and hard
ships which nationwide strike
would bring upon the country, the
President asked Congress to empower
him to draft into the service Of the
United States the very managers and
men who have been unable to adjust
ment may operate the railroads in
case Of military necessity.
He proposed that Congress first en-
large the membership of the Inter
state Commerce Commission to equip
1t to deal with larger situations.
Second, that an eight-hour day be
established for all trainmen in inter-
state commerce.
Third, that a commission investi.
gate the effect Of the eight-hour day.
Fourth, that the Interstate Com
merce Commission consider the in.
creased cost of the eight-hour day In
making rates.
Fifth, amend the mediation law to
prevent strikes or lockouts while in
dustrial disputes are being investi-
gated.
Sixth, that the President be en-
powered to operate the railways in
case of military necessity.
How these recommendations are to
be carried out, President Wilson left
entirely in the hands of Congress.
Just before the President went to
address Congress 1t became known
that the strike leaders had positively
called the strike for Labor day unless
a favorable settlement was reached
before. The committee of railway
presidents made public statement
Of their position, declining to accept
President Wilson's plan and giving
their reason.
"They have thought it best" said
the President, referring to the rail-
way managers, in his address to Con.
gress, that they should be forced to
yield, If they must yield. not by coun-
ael but by the suffering of the
country.
while my conferences with them
were in progress" the President con-
tinued, when to all outward appear
ance those conferences had come to
standstill, the representatives of the
brotherhoods suddenly acted and set
the strike for the fourth of Septem-
ber."
Thus the President summarized his
:fforts, and added:
But I could only propose. l could
not govern the will Of others, who
took an entirely different view Of the
circumstances of the case, who even
refused to admit the circumstances to
be what they have turned out to be-"
The four brotherhood heads were
guests of Speaker Clark in his gal
lery; other leaders of the men were
In other galleries and the railway
managers were scattered about.
Mrs. Wilson, accompanied by the
ambassador to Great Britain, Walter
Hines Page, and the ambassador to
France, William G. Sharp, was in the
Presidents reserved space. Several
members of the cabinet and some JUS.
tices of the Supreme Court also were
present
The President was greeted with I'D.
roarlous cheers as he entered. He
began speaking at 2:33 o'clock. Speak.
ing slowly and distinctly he outlined
the situation confronting the country
from the failure of the negotiations.
There was tense silence in the cham.
ber as he began.
Applause greeted the Presidentr
declaration that he regarded 1t as o
practical certainty" that the rail.
roads would be ultimately Obliged to
accept the eight-hour day by the con.
certed action Of organized labor
backed by the favorable Judgment OF
society"
Thru 70 nnN o$ .tL. h.tA