The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-31
WILSON YIELDS
Continued from Page One,

I
ters, leaders declared they will so put
the case before the country that no
senator will dare to attempt to pre-
vent passage of the measure later than
tomorrow afternoon, by debate"
Some senators who were frankly du-
bious yesterday fatty stated today
that the eight hour proposition will
be on the statute books by Saturday
evening"
Another overnight development was
generally believed to have made al
most certain the passage of the eight
hour proposition, of the proposal of
the presidents that he be empowered
to compel trainmen to operate the
roads ''in event of military necessity"
Hearings on Today.
The senate Interstate commerce
committee arranged its first public
hearing on the measure today and al
lowed three hours each for arguments
by brotherhood and railroads.
The plan was to present the finished
draft to the senate Saturday ready for
| immediate action. The house, how
ever, was not disposed to wait so long.
Its leaders set Friday afternoon as the
time when they would take the initia-
tive if the senate had not acted and
gave assurance that the house would
pass the measure then under special
rule making it effective November L.
Omit Compulsory Arbitration"
Railroad officials and representa-
tives of the trainmen's brotherhood
appeared in force today at the senate
| interstate commerce committees hear
ings on President wilson's Legislative
program to prevent the threatened
railroad strike. ~ fs.e,
Elisha Lee, chairman of the man
ayers committee, headed the delega-
ton of railway officials, which includ-
ed Samuel Rea, president OF the Penn
ksylvania. and RS. Lovett, chairman
Of the board of the Union Pacific.
/ II fI7a z
| retson, w. G. Lee, w. S. Stone and w.
S. Carter, the four brotherhood heads.
Officials of the American Federation
o. Labor headed by President Com
pers Assistant Attorney General Todd
and E. E. Clark of the interstate COM
merce commission also were present.
At the outset of the hearing Senator
Newlands, chairman of the commit
tee announced its purpose and said
none of the proposed legislation in
Ecluded compulsory arbitration.
Threatens Civil War.
TT simply provides he said, "in
i case of the failure of voluntary meSla-
ton and arbitration for government
inquiry and the stay of the action of
all parties to the controversy until in
vestigation and report should be made,
leaving them free thereafter to act as
they might be advised"
Senator Newlands spoke OF the short
time remaining for congress to act and
said:
'1This present dispute if carried to
its extremes will involve the United
States in civil war. The question is
4 whether we can find some means of
bringing about settlement of this dis
/ pute between employers and employees
without resort to force"
Hear BrOtherhoods First.
The brotherhood representatives
were heard first. At the request of
Mr.. Garretson, it was agreed that the
brotherhood leaders should address
the committee two hours in opening
and an hour in closing. Between those
two periods, representatives of the en-
ployers and shippers have six hours.
He announced that Samuel Gompers
also would speak.
1.-The success of any labor organiza-
} ton lies to an extent in its militancy,'
Mr.. Garretson said. I'VE are in a
grip of power greater than We and
it is unfortunate that this situation has
arisen, but L believe if a settlement
can be effected by congress, even tho
we are opposed to Legislative settle
ments, we are willing to waive the
age-old tradition against it. Such a
settlement in this controversy will be
desirable in the circumstances.
las an ethical proposition he said,
there is no more reason why man
should be worked more than eight
hours than there is that he should be
worked twenty-four
To-day, thousands of-men thruout
this country are working from twelve
to sixteen hours of which there is no
complete record
Demand Human Right.
These conditions, Garretson de-
clared, were responsible for the united
appearance of the brotherhoods, in
sistently demanding the human right
TO enjoy some of the things that other
men enjoy. The railroad men, he said,
are wanderers on the face of the earth.
I'VE believe" said Garretson ssthat
questions affecting society take prece-
dence over economics. We believe
: that the human element should be
considered regardless of its effect on
dividends.
4 = The obligation on. the part of the
railroad employees is as great TO keep
the human element in good condition
as the wooden and iron property of
the road. Humanity is just as much a
part of the system as the engine or
the lathe
Mr%GarretSon argued that the effect
of an Increased wage or. dividends
should not be considered when it was
3 Obvious that %nployes were not be-
i ing paid a proper wage