Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1916-09-01
Services offered Managers.


ice.
Services offered Managers.
81 unhesitatingly offered the friend
ly services of the administration to the
railway managers to see to 1t that JUS
tice was done the railroads in the out
come. The public and the representa-
tives of the public, l felt justified in
assuring them, were disposed to moth
ing but justice in such cases and were
willing to serve those who served
them.
1.-THE representatives of the brother
hoods accepted the plan, but the repre-
sentatives of the railroads declined to
accept it,
Strike Set for September a.
"They fear the hostile influence of
shippers, who would be opposed TO an
increase of freight rates (for which,
however, of course, the public Itself
woud pay; they apparently feel no
confidence that the interstate COM
merce commission could withstand the
objections that would be made. They
do not care to rely upon the friendly
assurances of the congress or the presi-
| dent They have thought it best that
they should be forced to yield, If they
must yield, not by counsel, but by the
| suffering of the country. While my
conferences with them were in prog
ress the representatives of the brother
hoods suddenly acted and setthe strike
70 d+h Of
1.-THE railway managers based their
| decision to reject my counsel in this
matter upon their conviction that they
| must at any cost to themselves or to
the country stand firm for the pr1n-
ciple of arbitration, which the men
had rejected.
1.-THE practical and patriotic course
to pursue, as it seemed to me, was 10
secure immediate peace by conceding
the one thing in the demands of the
men which society itself and any ar
bitrators who represented public SEN
timent were most likely to approve
and Immediately lay the foundations
for securing arbitration with regard
to everything else involved. The event
has confirmed that judgment.
Having failed to bring the parties
to this critical controversy to accom-
mediation, therefore, | turn to you,
deeming it clearly our duty as puDnc
servants to leave nothing undone that
we can do to safeguard the life and
interests of the nation.
Presidents Recommendation.
Summarized, the presidents legisla-
tive demands are:
First-Increase of the interstate
commerce commission by two men,
bers.
Establishment of an eight
hour day as the legal basis of work
and wages of all train employees.
Third-Authorizing commission to
investigate and report. but without rec.
concentrations, how the eight-hOur day
works out
Fourth-Explicit approval by con-
gress of consideration of the interstate
commerce commission of an increase
| of freight rates to meet additional le-
| Ultimate expenses of the eight-hour
day.
Fifth-Amendment of the present
| Cancellation law to provide for full
public investigation of all points at is.
sue when mediation fails and prohib.
| iting any strike or lockout until such
inquiry is finished.
acknowledgement specifically in the
hands of the president authority tC
use and operate trains for military pur
poses If necessity arises, with author
ity to draft crews and administrative
officials.
The presidents message immediately
was referred to the interstate com
merce committee of the senate anC
house, and they will Immediately con
slider drafts of the proposed laws.
This last suggestion l make be
cause we cannot in any circumstances
suffer the nation to be hampered IL
the essential matter of national de
Tense. At the present moment circum
stances render this duty particularly
obvious. Almost the entire military
force of the nation is stationed upon
the Mexican border to guard our ter
ritory against hostile raids. 1t must
be supplied, and steadily supplied, with
whatever 1t needs for it's maintenance
and efficiency.
If it should be necessary for pur
poses of national defense to transfer
any portion of it upon notice to some
other part of the country, for reasons
now unforeseen, ample means of trans
portatioE must be available, and avail
able without delay. The power con.
ferred in this matter should be care.
fully and explicitly limited to cases of
military necessity. but in all such
cases it should be clear and ample.
Il feel that no extended argument
IS needed to commend them to your
favorable consideration. They demon.
/