The Washington times., 1916-11-21
FEARS INCREASED BY
WILSON'S FIRM STAND
ON. 8-HOUR PROGRAM
Signs Multiply for Great Battle
or Series Of Battles Over
Questions involved.
HIGHER RATES IN PROSPECT
Strenuous Opposition to Presi-
dents Railroad Plans Is
Assured.
HIGHER RATES IN PROSPECT

The railroad situation brought on
by the wage and hours dispute, and
by the Adamson law, with other com.
plications, continue to loom up with
menacing prominence today.
The signs for a great battle or
series OF battles over the railroad
questions this winter multiplied to-
day.
President. Wilson, in conference
with Judge Adamson last night, indi-
Gated his purpo1 to press the pro-
gram OF legislation which he called
for last summer at the time the Adam
son measure was passed. II he stands
by this position, It will mean the de-
mand for a law along the lines OF the
Canadian law, will be insisted on, and
also that demand will be made for en-
largement OF the Interstate Commerce
Commission, and for instructions to
the Interstate Commerce Commission
to consider whether wage increases
justify increase OF rates. The last
would practically commit Congress to
higher rates.
Opposition Certain.
Strenuous opposition to the Legislative
program OF the President Is certainty.
All the influence OF organized labor Will
be turned against the Canadian prin-
clple. And there will be powerful OPP
position in Congress to enlarging the
Interstate Commerce Commission at
this time. until the joint committee
headed by Senator Newlands has re-
ported. Furthermore, Congress is not
likely TO take any course which may
be construed as sanctioning higher
rates.
Altogether, there will be stormy times
over railroad matters within Congress
and without.
brotherhood heads saw the President
and Department OF Justice officials late
yesterday. Whether they will strike II
the Adamson law Is not enforced after
January ], they do not definitely say
though Government officials predict con
tidently they will not In any event, the
brothcrhoods will aid the department IN
the effort TO uphold the Adamson law
and IL Is believed the President has beer
given to understand BY the brotherhood
heads they will submit TO the orderly
procedure of the courts.
As for the Joint committee of Con.
Gress, 1t Will begin formal hearing!
| Thursday morning at 10 o'clock.
= To Initiate Testimony.
The railway executives advisory
| committee VIII initiate the TESTIMONY
according TO a decision reached by
the joint committee In the course oil
! a two-hour executive session yester.
day afternoon. As to the discussion
/ Of the most practical method of pro-
| cedure. the committee decided thai
| the best purposes of the hearinp
| would be served to have the railroad
executives state their views OF tn,
railroad problem. The decision wa,
reached unanimously. Chairman New
| lands said.
The committee decided also to hole
| one session each day. lasting from II
| o'clock in the morning until 1880. NJ
| session will be held today because tn,
| railroad executives require time II
which TO prepare their views 70,
! presentation, and a session will no
be held Wednesday because Con
! Gressmen Adamson and Esch, VIII,
are members of the Joint committee
must attend q conference on a bill
| which the last session OF Congress
did not dispose of.
In outlining procedure the commit
| tee did not undG to determin'
who shall be heard after the railroad
| executives have appeared, Senato
| Newlands, chairman OF the Join
| committee, said he was not INFORMED
which OF the railroad executives will
appear first. but that the committe.
had reached its decision on the as
| surances that the executives are hold
| ing themselves in readiness to aopeaI
| at the pleasure of the committee.