The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-09-02

Washington. D. c., Sept. 2.-Preven
through an act of Congress seemed as
surcd after the House last night by al
overwhelming vote had passed the Adam
son eight-hour day law and the Senate
had agreed to take a final vote on the
measure not later than o'clock this
evening.
Although it is possible that Senate
amendment may make conferences neces.
sary, it is generally believed on both
sides of the capitol that when the test
comes the House bill as it stands will be
accepted and rushed to Shadow Lawn
N. j., for President Wilson's signature
And while no formal announcements
were forthcoming from the employees
brotherhoods head, it is authoritatively
stated that this will result in immediate
despatch of code messages calling off the
general strike ordered for Monday morn
ing.
The Adamson bill as passed in the
House by vote of 230 to Sc, with minor
amendments. is the same measure which
clared would constitute Satisfactory
settlement" and prevent the strike. The
amendments added to conform to draft
framed by the Senate interstate com
merce committee would fix the effective
date Jan. instead of Dec. |, 1916, and
exempts railroads less than 100 miles
long and electric street and interurban
lines. Briefly, it provides;
That eight hours shall be deemed a
days work and the standard for reckon
ing compensation of railroad employees
operating trains in interstate commerce
after Jan. l, 1917; and
That a commission of three appointed
by President Wilson shall investigate the
effects of the eight hour standard from
six to nine months and then report to
Congress, present wages not to be re-
duced during the investigation or for 30
DAYS thereafter. and overtime to be paid
at a pro rata rate.
1t was after a day of hot debate that
the House passed the bill, under a special
rule brought in when Republican Leader
Mann objected to its consideration. Less
than half of the Republicans followed
their floor leader in the opposition, and
when the final vote came 20 of them
lined up with the majority while only Sc
voted against the measure. just two
Democrats, Representatives Steele of
Pennsylvania and Black of Texas stood
out against the bill and Representative
Lodon of New York, the only Socialist,
voted for it.
Red tape was eliminated as far as
possible to rush the measure over to the !
,,-b. .ab Of cavara1 ho.,ro rs
lv discussion over bill reported by its |
interstate commerce committee. had re-
eessed until o'clock. When the Senate |
reconvened the House legislation was 4
there awaiting action.
The Senate committee bill, drafted :
during late session Thursday night and |
another yesterday morning, was the
Adamson measure with the same amend
ments adopted by the House and an add
ed section empowering the interstate
commerce commission to fix the wages
of interstate railroad employees at the
end Of the proposed period of investiga-
ton
At the outset of the night session SEN
ator Newlsnds sought and obtained
unanimous consent to put aside the Sen
ate bill and take up the one sent over
from the House, thereby paving the way
for quick final action without parliamen-
tary formslities that otherwise would ,
be necessary. Then Senator Underwood |
brought up the issue over which the Sen
ate is divided BY proposing as an amend
ment the rate fixing provision Of the !
discarded Senate bill Il
Over this amendment debate waged for .
three hours. Senators Newlands and In \