The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-11-15

Unions Want New Law.
Second, the brotherhoods of train
men announced that they will make
an appeal to President Wilson to givs
them on January 1. next, the eight
hour day which they say was prom
Used them in Washington last summer
when the strike order was recalled.
The brotherhoods, it was announced.
will not contest the suits to be insti-
tuted by roads and will not appear
constitutionaIity of the eight-hour
law. They contend that the duty log
ically devolves upon the attorney gen.
eral and will look to the judicial
branch of the government to fight
their battle. Prior to his departure
for his home in Cleveland, Warren s.
Stone, chief of the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers, declared that
should the law be stricken from the
books on the ground of unconstitu-
tionality the brotherhoods would de-
pend on President Wilson to frame
another act which will withstand the
attack of hostile counsel.
Many Suits Filed in Midwest.
Chicago, Nov. 15.-Litigation over
the Adamson eight-hour law is begin
ming to pile up on court ockets thru
the middle west. Within the next few
weeks 500 suits and petitions for in
functions will be filed, it is estimated.
rate action in every state in which
it operates.
Practicabilitv Law Issue.
In forcing the law to a test, the
railroads are planning to not, only
question it's constitutionality, but also
it's practicability. One man high in
railroad circles here today said rail-
roads we.s at loss to find prac-
teal way of applying the law.
n1l nxxTiY1 &c n ~
panies having suits injunction petit
tons pending:
Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul;
Union Pacific; Atchison. Topeka &
Santa Fe; Chicago, Rock Island & Pa
cific; Chicago & Eastern Illinois; Chi
cago Great Western; Chicago, Bur-
lington & Quincy; Louisville & Nash
vile; Missouri Pacific; Illinois Cen
trail, and Great Northern.
In the Illinois Central suit seeking a
temporary injunction restraining
United States District Attorneys Chas.
C. Clyne. E c. Knox and C. A. Karch
from enforcing the Adamson law in
their respective districts, hearing for
a permanent injunction will be heard
November II.
To Discuss Strike Prevent l.
Washington, Nov 15.-The question
of strike prevention is expected to be
foremost among those discussed by the
joint house and senate committee,
hea ded by Senator NeWlands, when 1t
begins meeting here next Monday.
This committee, appointed before the
recent crisis. will hear arguments for
and against various arbitration plans
Just in advance of the committees
sessions, the national council of the
chamber of commerce of the United
states will discuss the same questions
Many members favor legislation that
would make a conspiracy to inter-
rupt public service" a crime.
Unions Oppose Restrictions.
The suggested legislation to permit
labor to appeal to the interstate com
merce commission, just as n shipper
can appeal in the case of rates and
permitting him to cease work, say.
within thirty days after a decision of
the commission. These ideas are en-
bodied in the call for the national
councils meeting made public today.
Union labor will fight them bitterly
Newlands' committee also will have
many other phases Of the railroad
! question before it. including state YER
sus federal regulation Meeting here to-
day, state commissioners from all
parts of the country threshed over this
question For the most part the state
commissioners are inclined to resist
the movement toward strengthening
federal authority over railroads, at the