Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-09-01
ACTION Of
CONGRESS DELAY Of
WALKOUT IS URGED
Wilson Again Appeals to the
Brotherhood Leaders, but
No Assurances of Any Kind
Are Givenr 1t Is Said
CBy Associated Press.l


WASHINGTON, Aug. S1--CongresS
put all other affairs aside today and
devoted itself to enacting Presidents
Wilson's legislative program to avert
the railroad strike.
But the president, overlooking no Dos,
sible means to prevent the threatened
public calamity did not depend on con-
gress alone and continued unceasinglY
his efforts to get the brotherhood heads
to postpone their strike order.
Just before noon the president went
personally TO the capitol and confer
ring with the leaders. urged them ON
&c the speed necessary to get the bills
through the legislative machinery Of
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
the strike while congress by law
provides what the railroads have re-
fused.
After the conference between Presf-
dent Wilson and the Brotherhood lead
ers Ii was said at the White House
that the employees had given No assur-
ances Of any kind.
In spite of the fact that the leaders
gave no assurances, 1t is certain that
the strike will be called off immediately
~ COIBE6SS passes lH6 ClEnI-nOuT law
which will be taken up in the house
tomorrow. The brotherhood leaders are
reluctant to take steps to cancel the
strike order until congress has acted.
President Wilson told the leaders he
was doing everything possible to have
congress legislate to meet the situation
and that it was their duty as American
citizens to postpone or cancel the strike
order pending its action.
Although the brotherhood leaders re-
iterated that only a favorable settle
ment" could delay the strike and that
they were powerless to postpone 1t. one
of them admitted he believed the rank
and file of the men, in view of the eff
forts being made in congress, would
vote to delay 1t if there were time for
them to express their wishes.
HOPE STILL PREVAILS
Out of that, out of proposals to have
congress pass a resolution asking the
men to delay, and out of many other in
dications coming from the very inside
of the situation there came again the
indefinable intimation that the strike
could be prevented. even though con-
gress by Saturday night has not actual
ly enacted the presidents program If 1t
has it on the way.
Back of 1t all, President Wilson was
holding another card-a direct appeal to
the ram anu lllc VI the AucI 10
realize that congress is about to give
them what they ask and to stay at their
posts. The president was still deter
mined to do this if necessary, but was
hopeful 1t would not be.
While the senate interstate commerce
committee was hearing the railroad
heads and the brotherhood leaders, the
house managers got into action and
agreed on a bill, introduced by Repre-
i ,.I1
proved by President Wilson. providing
the eight-hour day, pro rata pay for ov-l
ertime and a commission to investigate
the new conditions. They planned to-
rush it through Friday while the senate
was working. 1t did not include the
compulsory investigation features of the
presidents program, but there were in
dications that he would be satisfied with
enough to prevent the men from strik-
ing and take up the remainder later.
Il have just been keeping in touch
with things to see that they keep NOV,
ing, and they are moving" said Presf-
dent Wilson as he left the conference
with congressional leaders. The presi-'
dents face 5eamed with a broad smile.
Chairman Adamson, of the interstate,
commerce committee, said:
1--WE will pass the eight-hour bill in
troduced today in the house, tomorrow.
Will lUCluuH the pJONlSlOH IOf All
of the effect of the eight
hour day on the railroads. That. we be-
lieve, will prevent the strike"
While the assurances given on the
attitude of the senate were not so
definite, the president was told that the
prospects were bright for action on at
least part of the program.
The portions of the presidents recon-
providing for bill similar
Cor making arbitral awards court rec
Crds, and for empowering the interstate
commerce commission to grant freight
rate increases if, necessary, are 70 be
taken up separately.
WILSON STANDS FIRM
Although considerable opposition de-
veloped to that part of the presidents
program providing for the military OPP
Grafton of the railroads in case of ne
cessity he insisted it be included.
Representative Kitchin said he
thought the eight-hour BILL with some
modification, could be put through the
house
"Of course, there would be great OPP
position to AN of the presidents pro-
gram" said Kitchin, "but 1 think we
can get an eight-hour bill Though and
prevent the strike. This, think, can be
done before Saturday night"
Mt. hlIcnm directed Inat the e1Bnl-
hour bill should be carefully revised
and submitted to the brotherhoods for
approval and assurances that 1t salts
fies them before 1t is passed
The president expects that the action
of the railroads in issuing embargo or
ders against perishable freight, thus af-
fecting food, will have some effect in
action by congress.
Statement of brotherhood leaders that
if the eight-hour law is passed by Sat
urday night the strike order will be
rescinded led the president to redouhle
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