Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-08-31
DDRRAASS DRASTIC ACT
IS PREPARED
BY CONGRESS
Only Shred of Hope Fer Ste
cess of White House Media
ton is LeFt-TTainmel.
Ready TO Act.
ROADS TO SUBMIT OFFER
Unions Say They viii Not Ar.
bitrate Fight-Eeur Day
congressmen Propose
to Stop Tie Up.

dSilAtlSlclts AIe> - ~
erhood officials ta!s afternoon it was
| declared that only unqualified conces-
sion ~ the railroads OF The eight-hour
DAY or action OF congress, taking over
the railways fer government operation.
could proven. ;hs threatened strike.
Late this afternoon the railroad ex-
ecuti,es adjourned without having
finished their statement to President
Wilson and their attitude vas an
nounced as unchanged.
Washington. L. c., Aug. 25.-presi-
dent Wilson suddenly left the White
House TO-DAY II went to the capitol
In connection with the threatened rail-
way strike. Officials refused to tell
| the presidents purpose.
The president went to his ottice and
summoned Democratic Leader Kern
and Chairman New:ai!Gs of ire Senate
commerce committee. vic has charge
in the Senate Of legislation affecting
interstate railroads.
Whcp he finished ennferring with
Senators Kern and Newiands. fresi-
dent Nilsou came u the door of his
room anG said 10 inquii ers:
Il cane here on certain matters OF
legislation. nat is all I can say now"
Then after making the foregoing an
nouncenlent. President Wilson re-
turned to the White House without
coriferring with any one else ard with
out making any . arthef EXPLANATION OF
lis visit.
SSaator NeH:lards stated positively
that 10 joint session of congress had
been arranged.
The president conferred first viii.
Democratic Leader Kern ard Chairman
Newlands, of the Senate Interstate
Commerce commission, who. il was un
derstood, after q canvass OF the O
gressiolial situation. had concluded 1t
was feasible 10 get through congress
before adjournment as an
TO tie pending bill TO increase The MEM
bershirs of the Interstate Commerce
commission some soit OF an expression
that the railways should ne authorized
to make rate increases 10 meet higlier
wages and 10 prov.Ge some sort OF ma
chinery FOR arbitration ioi similar dis
putes III the future. possibly along the
lines o: thu Canadian commission.
on al! hands the presidents visit to
the capitoi was taken TO indicate that
the situation had reached 2 crisis
Washington, Aus. 2e-Fear IS grow
ing that the great railroad strike in
volyins 10000 t~caintren and 225 roads
may he called tonight unless AZ agree
ment is reached betwcefi the railroads
and fear brotherhoods. Tie tag Is
all set for the wail50ut ard nc men
are SAD TO be awaiting cnlY for orders
fruci the committee OF GAG brotherhood
representatives
The railroad presidents were to sub
g5tt q pt1n - the president today which
.sfIses N part the plan outlined by
Wilson and which some of the e11-
Dloy.s have said in advance wouid not
he accented without modification.
They say they Will not arhItrate the
eieIt-hoUr day issue,
The union men expect TO leave
Washington tonight they say and pre-
pare 10 issue strike orders unless an
agreement is reached today.
What "ill congress do if a railroad
stake comes and the country finds IT.
scIi IL tte midst Of a disastrous tieup?
THIS question stands u sharply today
@ith the controversy between the roads
ara enlpioyes in an acute stage.
Drastic Action Likely.
It ran be predicted that if a strike
cones congress is likely 20 get down
TO business and do it vigorously. 1t is
recognized the public VIII ue mighty
inlJatsent with those who are respon-
sfbia for Interfering with the business,
convenience and welfare of nearly l0n.-
0pH sou penrle.
Chairman Adamson of the House in
t~ars,ate commerce commission a Y
congress will Iegislate in a way not
pleasing TO whatever element is re-
sponsible for tying up the Dad He
says one possibility Is the establish
nael7t of the eight-hour day by law.
White there has been a sounding out
OF congress on the proposition of COM
hitting itself to higher freight rates
it Is clear congress viii he very slow
20 do this. The administration has been
Trade aware there is sharp opposition
10 fh5s also there g stnang Sanate op-
position TO the enlargement Of the In.
ie1state Commerce commission at q
{ time wren il would be construed rs in
ienasi to pave the way for highe:
yates.
May Compel Arbitration.
Legislation for some form Of fasti,
compulsory arbitration or invastiga,
: .;cn during which a strike or lockou'
4 would be Illegal is being much dis
clssed. One or more bills have beer
! prepared ara may be introduced at AMI
ate
E May Take Over Reads.
: L became known today that Z piaI
Ct legislation seriously discussed il
!. Senate Interstate Commerce canrlis.
\ Sion circles IS to authorize the pres
g tdent, If there is a big strife. to tax,
charge of the goads &nG operate them
roa@h after the manner Il the law o
1852. 1T would ~pracJi1 - amount tt
de- larIns martial law 50 lar as thu
: roadS are acacer2ef.H said & n3ernbel
Of the committee: thGt. whatever hap
rers. trains mf.st continue to run ant
tic business Of tie country must no
: be p~arafvzed.