Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-08-31

Washington, Aug. 3l.-Congress
mt all other affairs aside today
and devoted itself to enacting
President Wilson's legislative pro-
gram to avert the railroad strike.
But the president. overlooking no
possible means TO prevent the
threatened public calamity. did not
depend on congress alone and con-
tinued increasingly his efforts to
get the brotherhood heads to post
pone their strike order.
Just before noon the president went
to the capitol and comforting with the
leaders, urged them on to the speed
necessary to get the bills through the
legislative machinery OF the house and
senate before Saturday night. Then,
returning to the White house, he called
the four brotherhood heads before him
for another appeal to delay their
strike while congress by law provides
what the railroads have refused.
Although the brotherhood leaders
reiterated that only a favorable set
tlement" could delay the strike, and
that they we're pOwerless to postpone
il, one of them admitted he believed
the rank and file of the men, in view Of
the efforts being made in congress,
time for them to express their wishes.
Out Of proposals TO have congress
pass a resolution asking the men TO
delav. and out of many other indica-
tons coming from the very inside or the
situation, there came again the indefin-
able intimatiOn that the strike could
be prevented if congress by Saturday
night has not actually enacted the
presidents program but has 1t on the
way.
Back OF it all, President Wilson was
holding another card-a direct appeal
TO the rank and file of the railroad men
TO realize that congress is about TO
give them what they ask and to stay
ct their posts.
House Has a Bill.
While the senate interstate COM
merce committee was hearing the rail
road heads and the brotherhood lead
ers, the house managers got into &C
ton and agreed on a bill. introduced
by Representative Adamson and ap-
proved by President Wilson, providing
the eight-hOur day, pro rata pay 1oT
overtime and a commission to 1nVestl-
gate the new conditions. They plan
ned to rush it through.
Meanwhile employers and men had
public hearing on the presidents leg
islative program before the senate IN
terstate commerce committee.
After the conference between the
president and the brotherhood leaders
It was said at the White house thai
the employees had given no assurance:
Of any kind"
Agree on AdamsOn Bill.
Later, formal announcement was
made that the president and the sen
ate and house leaders had agreed or
the Adamson bill as a compromise
bill It makes violation of its pro
visions misdemeanor. punishable by
from 300 70 81 900 fine or not exceed
Ing one year Imprisonment, or both
1t would make the eight-hOur day eff
tective Dec. /.
In spite Of the fact that the leaders
gave no assurances, IL is certain tina
the strike would be called off immedi
ately II congress passed the eight-houl
law which will be taken up in th'
oouse tomorrow.
President Wilson told the brother
nood leaders he was doing everything
possible TO have congress legtslate II
meet the situation and that it was theil
auty as American citizens TO postpon'
OF cancel the strike order pending III
action. The president was said Il
oaye used some strong language
Tomorrows cabinet meeting ha
oeen Cancelled to allow President vii
son to give his entire attention TO eff
torts to avert the strike.
The eight hour day bill, on which
most congressional leaders agree,
enacted by Saturday night, will be suf
ncient justification in the opinion o
brotherhood leaders for calling on tn
railroad strike set for next Monday.
This today was the main source o
optimism that the industrial tieu
would not occur.
Enactment into law of the presi
9ent's eight hour day bill as nov
lraWn, guaranteeing the present te
aour day wage" said W. G.. Lee, hea
d the trainmen's brotherhood, "wil
De regarded as a satisfactory settle
nent Of our differences with the rail
roads and there will be no strike. L
Tder to prevent a strike, however