The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-08-29


WILSON ASKS CONGRESS FOR EIGHEHOUR LAW
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clearly our duty public servants to leave nothing undone hat
we can do to safeguard the life and interest of the nation In
the spirit osuch purpose earnestly recommend the following
legislation:
Asks For Legislation.
First Immediate provision for the enlargement and ad-
mlnsstVe reorganization of the Interstate Commerce Gs
sion along the lines embodied in the bill recently passed by the
House Representatives and awaiting action by the Sen
ae order that the commission may be enabled to deal with
the many great and various duties deVong upon WIN
pfompnes and horoughness which with its present con-
sttuton and means and action practically impossible
Second, establishment of eight-hour day as the legal
basis alike Of and in the Employment of all railway
employees who actually engaged in the work OF operating
trains IN interstate transportation
Small Body of Observers
Third the authorization of the appointment by the pres
ldent small body of to observe the actual results IN e
periene the adoption of the eghtOur day railway trans
portaon alike for the and for the railroads. its effect in
the matter Of operating cost in the application OF the existing
practices and agreements the new conditions and in all other
practical aspects with the provision that the Investigators shall
report their conclusions to the Congress at the earliest possible
date but without recommendation legislative action IN order
that the public learn from an uneudlced source JuSt"haC
actual developments had ensued.
Fourth explicit approval by the Congress of the consid
Grafton by the Interstate Commerce Commission of an increase
in freight rates to meet such additional expenditures by me rail-
roads may have been rendered necessary by the adoption OF
the eghour day and which have not been offset by admins
rae reimbursement and economies should the 1acs oScSeo
Justify the increase
Wants Power to Mediate
Fifth an amendment of the existing federal statute which
provides for the mediation Cancellation and arbitration OF Suh
controversies as the present by adding provision that in
case the method of mediation provided for should fail
full public investigation the merits of every such dispute shall
be Instituted and completed before strike lockout may law
fully be attempted
Sixth the Judgement in the hands of the executive OF the
power case of military necessity to take control OF such por
tions and such rolling stock of the railways OF the country as
may be required for military and operate ne 1or mill
tary purposes with authority to draft into the military service
of the United States such train crews and admmsve on
cas the circumstances require for their safe and ecenI use
Nation Must Not Suffer.
"h last suggestion make because we cannot IN any CIR
cumstanes suffer the nation to be hmpered the eena
matter of national defense At the present moment circ-
stances render this duty particularly obvious Almost the enre
military force of the nation stationed along the Mexican Doder
to guard our territory against hostile raids 1t must be supplied
and steadily supplied with whatever needs for Its maintenance
and efficiency If should be necessary for purposes OF national
defense transfer any portion of upon short notice TO some
other part of the country for now unforeseen ample
means of TRANSFORMATION must be available and available without
DELAY The power conferred this matter should be carefully
and explicitly limited to of military necessity out IN all Suc
cases it should be clear and ample.
Urges Congress to Act
ThAre is one other thing should do ii we are true cha-
Mons of arbitration We should make all arbtra awards udg
ents v record court of law in order that their nere
ation ard enforcement may lie not with one OF the 10 e
arbitration but with an impartial and authoritative tribunal
These things urge upon you not in haste and merely as
means Of meeting present emergency but as permanent ana
necessary additions to the law of the land suggested y @
cstarces we had hoped but imperative as wen as
that no extended argument needed commend them 10 your
favorable consideration. They demonstrate themselves me s
and the occasion only give emphasis to her importance we ~
them now and we shall continue to need Them