Omaha daily bee., 1916-08-30
PRESIDENT PUTS
RAIL STRIKE Up
TO LAWMAKERS
Wilson Places Situation Before
Two Houses, Addressing
Joint Session of Both
Chambers.
EFFORTS AT MEDIATION
Executive Asks Authority to
Operate Railroads in Case
of Necessity.
FAvoRs EIGHT HOUR DAY
EFFORTS AT MEDIATION
FAvoRs EIGHT. HOUR DAY

Washington, D. C., Aug 20.
President Wilson laid the railway
strike situation before congress this
afternoon in an address to both
houses assembled in joint session.
The president told congress Of his
efforts to bring the railroad mana
gers and the men into some sort Of
agreement, and saying he was pow
crless to do more, he asked congress
to enact legislation to deal with the
situation.
Pointing OH the distress and hard
ships which nationwide strike
would bring upon the country, the
president asked congress to empower
him to draft into the service Of the
United States the very managers and
men who have been unable to adjust
their differences so that the govern
ment may operate the railroads i'll
case OF military necessity. He pro-
posed that congress first enlarge the
membership of the Interstate Com
merce commission, to equip it to deal
with larger situations; second, that
an eight t-hour day be established for
all trainmen in interstate commerce;
third, that a commission investigate
the effect Of the eight-hour day;
fourth, that the Interstate Commerce
commission consider the increased
cost Of the eight-hour day in making
rates, and, fifth, amend the media
ton law to prevent strikes or lock
outs while industrial disputes are be-
ing Investigated. The sixth propo-
sal was that the president be en-
powered to operate the railways in
case of military necessity. How these
recommendations are to be carried
out President Wilson left entirely in
the hands Of congress.
The president was greeted with up
roarious cheers as he entered. He
began speaking at 2:33 o'clock.
Speaking slowly and distinctly, he
outlined the situation confronting the
country from the failure OF the nego-
tiations. There was tense silence in
the chamber as he began.
Applause greeted the presidents
declaration that he regarded it as
practical certainty" that the railroads
would be ultimately obliged to ac-
cept the cight-hour day by the con
certed action of organized labor,
backed by the favorable judgment Of
society"
Text of Address.
President Wilson laid the threat
ened railway strike before congress
today.
The president said:
Gentlemen of the Congress-:
have come to you to seek your as
sistance in dealing with a very grave
situation which has arisen out Of the
demand OF the employees of the rail
roads engaged in freight train service
that they be granted an eight-hour
working day, safeguarded by the pay
ment of one hour and half of serv-
ice for every hour of work beyond
the eight.
"The matter has been agitated for j.
more than a year The public has
been made familiar with the demands
of the men and the arguments urged
in favor of them, and even more ia
miliar with the objections of the rail
roads and their counter-demand that
certain privileges now enjoyed by
their men and certain bases OF pay
ment worked out through many years
of contest be reconsidered, especially
in their relation to the adoption of an
eight-hour day. The matter came up
some three weeks ago, to Il final issue,
and resulted i'll complete deadlock
between the parties. The means pro-
vided by law for mediation OF the con
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