Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-30
PRESIDENT LAYS
STRIKE SITUATION
BEFORE CONGRESS
Asks That Laws Be Passed
to Control Present and
Future Difficulties.
HOUR DAY PROPOSED
FOR RAILWAY EMPLOYEES
Strike Already Has Been Called
for I A. M. on Sep
terlbcr 4
OUTLOOK is VERY GRAVE
Doubtful if Congress Can Act Quickly
Enough to Avert Great
Disaster.
EIGHT-HOUR DAY PROPOSED
FOR RAILWAY EMPLOYEES
OUTLOOK is VERY GRAVE
Doubtful if Congress Can Act Quickly
Enough to Avert Great
Disaster.

WASHINGTON. August co-Prest-
dent Wilson. laying tho railway strike
situation before Congress to-day with
recommendations for legislation, ad-
vanccd the crisis to stage where tho
next developments depend upon two
points. They arc:
Whether the legislation nc proposes
can be passed,
IF enacted will 1t be effective to
prevent strike already called for
y. NJ. September 4?
Neither of these questions can be
answered tonight
The brotherhood heads themselves,
announcing their intention to light
certain portions or the Presidents pro-
gram. arc at loEEcrhcads over whether
its enactment would nrcvent the strike
CONTINUES HIS EFEoRTS
TO RRING THEM TOGETHER
Th" railway presidents. favorable to
President Wilson'S plan in tho main.
think 1t would mako it diGicult for the
strike to herin. Meanwhile. although
nc"otiations between tho cmninvcrS
"nd mon were broken oT to-day hv
III" rejection "r the railwnv urns'dcrts'
li'''S' ''-OpOSal LOT afDttritl0n. freSt-
dent Wilson is continuing his efforts
To brine tho two sides together on
some form Of agreement Efforts which
wight woli hc described rs almost
superhuman arc being cxertcd to that
end tonight.
When the brotherhood leaders this
morning rejected tho latest PROPOSAL
or the railroads and definitely set tho
strike for Labor Dr. without further
notice. President Wilson decided to
lav the whole situation before Con-
eress. Before joint session OF the
House and Senate. and with solemn
| recital of the distress and disaster n
strike would bring to tho country. he
! proposed plan OF legislation.
WILSON'S PROPOSALS
MADE TO CONGRESS
This is the Presidents proposal I'm
his own language:
First. Immediate provision for the
enlargement and administrative re-
organization OF the Interstate COM
merce Commission along the lines en-
bodied in the bill recently passed by
the House of Representatives. and now
awaiting action by the Senate, In order
that the commission may be enabled
to deal with the many great and
various duties now dcvolvinG upon 1t
with promptness and a thorougkness
which are. with its present constitu-
tion and means OF action, practically
impossible. 81
Second. The establishment of an
eight hour day as the legal basis alike
OF work and OF wages in the employ
ment OF all railway employees who
arc actually engaged in the work Of
N n ntopS f,tA
portation.
Third. The authorization OF the an.
pointment by the President OF small
body OF men to observe the actual re-
suits in experience of adoption of the
eight -hour day in railway transporta-
Ton alike for the men and for the
railroads. it's effects in the matter OF
operating costs. in the application OF
The existing practices and agreements
TO the new conditions, and i'm all other
practical aspects. with the provision
that the Investigators shall report their
conclusions to the Congress at the
earliest possible date: III order that
the public mag learn from an un-
prejudiced source just what actual de-
veiopments have cnsued
INCREASED FREIGHT RATES
TO MEET EXPENDITURES
fourih. Explicit approval bv tho
congress of the consideration by the
Interstate Commerce. Commission OF an
Increase OF freight rates TO meet sucJ,
'iouitionat expenditures by the railroads
as may have been rendered necessorv
d! 'hr adoption of the eight hour dav.
All" Which haVc~not been Offset by adj
hinistratioh offsets and economies
should the facts disclosed justify the
increase
Firth. An amendment OF the exjsr
'hT Federal statute which provides for
the mediation. cancellation ara arhitr,
ton Of such controversies as The nycs
rnt by adding t" it a provision that. In
case the methods OF accommodation no,u
provided for should TAIL q fun public
investigation of the merits OF every
such dispute shall bc instituted and
completed before a strike or lockout
may lawfully be attcmpted
Sixth. The lodgment In the hands of
military necessity. TO take control OF
such portions and such rolling stock OF
the railways Of The country as niay be
required for military use ana TO oper-
ate them for military purpHses. with
authority to draft into the military
service OF the United states such train s
crews and administrative officials as
the circumstances require for their
safe and cniccnt use. tA
Immediately after the President had
delivered his Recommendations Con- Il
Eress set about to see how they might
he enacted into law. The Senate Inter- Z
state Commerce Committee. which h4s