The Washington times., 1916-09-04

telegraphed requests some Of the most
able statesmen students and business
men OF the United States have inform
ed the Sun that Congress has yet
harmful precedent In passing the eight
hour law for railroad men.
Here are the replies received:
Marcus II. Holcomb. governor OF Con-
necticut: II don't believe in passing
legislation by force"
Joseph B. Foraker. formerly United
States Senator from Ohio: This Is the
first time Congreso ever has been asked
to yield TO a stand and deliver demand:
but since the attempt was SO successful
II will not be the last. such perform
ances feed on themselves and grow con-
stanty more frequent. more Illuminating
and more criminal. OF course II would
be a calamity to have q strike of the
character threatened, but II would be
thousand times worse to legislate under
duress, not only because OF the trucu-
lent precedent but also because. no mat
ter how unwise and wrongful such leg
such contractual character that 1t
could not be repealed without apparent
breach of faith
Public's Rights Were Ignored.
Howard Elliott president Of the New
Haven: II have from the time this
question began to be discussed serious
ly. felt that 1t ought not to be settled
without giving the public. the real
party In interest, time to understand It.
and an opportunity to express its opin-
ion before Congress-or an impartial trt-
bunal created by the President or by
Congress.
insistent demand upon the brotherhoods
and the railroads that they 60 ahead
and attend to business without prejudice
to either side and also arranged for q
proper arbitration tribunal that all
parties; including the labor leaders
II think the action Of the labor lead
ers In forcing legislation through Con-
gress without giving that body :ime So
deliberate IL a most unfortunate thing
.sit. .sT the whole country and for labor IT.
"Unjust and Undemocratic."
DR.. Lyman Abbott. editor Of the Out
look: II have long advocated eiRh'
hours as the standard day for organ
lied labor In factories. mines and rail
ways. As n consumer. ] should he will
tional cost which the adoption Of sucf
a standard might involve, but II Il
neither lust nor democratic that thi
question should bo determined for tn,
nation by bureaucracy Of either la
THE railways are not like other pri
vstc property; they are the highways o
the nation. Both the managers and tn
operators OF the railways are the ser
wants OF the patton. 1t is intolerabl
that any eomoination OF either man
ayers or operators should be able Z
dictate 70 the nation on what terms tn
people may use their hignways,
IL ! NAG neen IN congress ! shoul'
ppaopsoy na.S yoteG TOT the eight-hou
ths rssaca, cnna.suo an suoe, tne people .
she uascsI CONSEQUENCES OF closing IN
highways Ior even short season. Con
@ Srsss nus s,st zone WEI, 70 save us from N
present distress, put this is not enough
II ought now at an early day devils
ZONE pan Dy Wn,cn the people can de
cioe WIN ad,ty ti"p 'he tsrms and cohdl
operated and can enforce their decisio
on both managers and operators
Worst Enemy of the Laborer.
James r. Day, chancellor of syracus
Irnivers,ty: "I sympatbize with IN
manual lahorers. was one mvself, an
InSua, . a. tSnngh,s aSaU y,h,,,i, ns t,,s
irh how orst e anen,, q, ths ,ahortan S,me ,,,a
tndsv Wa a. mismsnayed ana tnrann,cs %