The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-06

Hs ~ the last session which there will
). now be time to complete and which IL
n seems necessary In the interest Of the
u public to do at once
'sIn the hrst place, II seems to me
sfmperatively necessary that the
earliest possible consideration and
y Action should be accorded the remain
ing measures OF the program of set
Element and regulation which I had
occasion to recommend to you al the
= close of your last session in view Of
the public dangers disclosed by the
unaccomm odated difficulties which
then existed, and which still unhap-
PLY continue to exist between the
. railroads OF the country and their
K locomotive engineers, conductors and
trainmen,
II then recommended:
First immediate provision for the
4, enlargement and administrative re
rganizstion OF the Interstate Com
merce Commission along the lines
embodied in the bill recently passed
I by the House Of Representatives and
now awaiting action by the Senate in
ordered that the commission may he
enabled TO deal with the many great
and various duties now devolvinE upon
1t with promptness and thorough
- ness which are, with its present con-
stitution and means OF action. prac-
tically impossible
Second. the esta blishment OF an
eight-hour day as the legal basis
alike OF work and of wages IN the
employment OF all railway employees
who are actually engaged in the work
OF operating trains In Interstate trans
portation.
Third the authorization Of the ap-
pointment by the President Of a small
body OF men 10 observe the actual re-
suits in experience Of the adoption of
the eight hour day in railway trans
portat!on ALIKE for the man and for
the railroads
Fourth, explicit approval by the
Congress Of the consideration by the
Interstate Commerce Commission Of
an increase Of freight rates to meet
such additional expenditures by the
railroads as may have been rendered
necessary by the adoption OF the
eight-hour day. and which have not
bAen Offset by administrative read
sd 3ustments and economies, should the
facts disclosed Justify the increase
fifth, an amendment Of the ex-
listing Federal statute which provides
Tor the mediation. Cancellation and
arbitration of such controversies as
the present ny adding to II q provision
that. IN case the methods Of accom-
mediation now provided for should
fail. full public investigation Of the
merits of every such dispute shah be
fnstftuted and completed before n
strike or lockout may lawfully be at-
tempted
"And. sixth. tho Judgement In the
hands Of the Executive OF tho power
IN case OF military necessity to take
control OF Euch portions and such
rolling stock of the railways OF the
country as may ne required for mill
tary use and to operate them for
military purposes. with authority TO
draft into the military service OF the
United States such train crews and
administrative officials as the circum-
stances require for their safe and eff
flcient use
The second and third OF these
recommen dations the Congress imrne-
diately act on. II established the
eight-hour day as the legal basis OF
work and wages in train service and
II authorised the appointment of
commission to observe and report
upon the practical results, deeming
these the measures most Immediately
needed. but II postponed action upon
the other suggestions until an oppor-
tunity should be offered for more
deliberate consideration of them The
fourth recommendation ! do not deem
II necessary TO renew. The power of
the Interstate Commerce Commission
to grant an increase OF rates on the
ground referred to is indisputahl
clear and q recommendation by Con-
gress with regard To such matter
might seem TO draw in question the
scope OF the commissions authority
or It's inclination to 40 Justice when
there Is no reason to doubt either
The other suggest ons-the IN
crease in the Interstate Commerce
Commission S membership and In its
facilities for performing its manifold
duties, the provision for full public
Investigation and assessment Of indus
trial disputes, and the grant 10 the
Executive Of the power TO control and
operate the railways when necessary
in time Of war OF other Hike public
necessity now very earnestly re-
~