New Britain herald., 1916-09-01
Adamson Bill, Favored by President Wilson and Railroad En-
 pIoyes, is Discussed
SENATE WANTS I c. c. TO FIX WAGE SCALE

Washington, Sept. 1.-Bills to avert the railway strike actually were put on their way to passage today in both houses of congress.
 Under a special rule providing for a vote not later than 80 this after noon the house took up the Adamson eight hour day bill approved by Presi- dent Wilson and accepted by brother hood leaders as a satisfactory settle ment.''
 The senate interstate commerce committee reported a similar bill which, however, contains an impor- tant provision empowering the inter- state commerce commission to fix schedules of wages on interstate rail- ways. It provides that the eight hour day shall become effective January 1, 1917, that the present pay for the ten hour day shall apply to the shorter day, that overtime shall be paid pro rata, but adds that within not less than six and not more than twelve months after it's passage the inter- state commerce commission shall as- eume jurisdiction of the question of hours and wages, and that they shall be subject to petition for change from either the employers, the employees or the public.
 The Provision.
 The text of that provision is as fol- lows
 That the interstate commerce com- mission shall have the power to fix the hours of labor and prescribe just and reasonable wages for all em- ployes of the railroads The rate of wages and the hours of labor provided for In this act shall remain , fixed for service and pay until changed by the decision of the in- terstate commerce commission, which within a period of not less than six nor more than twelve months from the passage of this act, shall de- termine what are just and reasonable wages and what shall be the hours of labor for all employees of the rail- roads above mentioned.
 "The interstate merce comm1s- sion shall have the power from time to time to change the hours of labor and the rate of wages for all employees of the railroads either in whole or in part, prescribed by it on it's own initiative on the petition of the en- ployes, the managers of the railroads or the public"
 The possibility for a hitch seemed to be in this added provision, which is being studied by the brotherhood leaders
 The committee eliminated the pro- posal that on the report of the eight hour day commission the interstate commerce commission shall consider an increase of freight rates to meet such additional. expenditures by the railroads affected as may have been rendered necessary by the adoption of the eight hour day.
 Canadian Bill Ignored
 Neither of the two pending bills contains the Canadian commission plan which the labor leaders oppose, and neither contains the government operation provision. President Will son is willing to let those features wait until after enough legislation to avert the strike has been enacted.
 Senate republicans decided today to frame a bill of their own and offer 1t as substitute for the admins tration plan. A committee ap- pointed to draft it. No serious oppo- sition to the administration plan was expected, however
 Senator LaFolIette quitting the po- litical campaign, suddenly returned to the caD1tOl COQdy to take d 1dllu III the legislation. He said he could not tell what his attitude toward the pend ing bills would be until he had inves- tigated them.
 The time for passage of the bills Is so short that a filibuster might seriously interfere with the program. Democratic leaders, however, do not expect one and were confident the program would go through in time.
 President Wilson told mem bers of his cabinet at todays meeting that there was every prospect that the leg . islation would be passed by both houses of congress before tomorrow night.
 Mann Refuses Consent.
 Democratic Leader Kitchen called up the Adamson bill soon after the house met.
 'I ask unanimous consent for it's immediate consideration" said he.
 1T object" said republican leader Mann
 Rep. Harrison, democrat, then Of fered the special rule and there was discussion on that. Mr. Harrison said congress- in the interest of the peo- pie, ought to pass this bill by Sat urday night, and evert the strike.
 Representative Bonnet, republican, denounced the proposed legislation.