Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1916-08-31

WASHINGTON. Aug. 30.-All the
influence Of the administration was
brought to bear today in an effort to
persuade the railroad brotherhood
leaders to cancel or postpone the
order calling nationwide strike Mon
day. while leaders In congress began
paving the way for Legislation design.
ed to prevent or stop the threatened
Industrial catastrophe Little prog
ress was made In either direction, but
nevertheless in official quarters to-
night there still prevailed confidence
that In one way or another the walk
out would be averted.
To the spokesmen of President Will
son who approached them. all OF the
brotherhood officials gave the same
reply; that they had no power to re-
call the strike order and that only
one thing-"a satisfactory settlement"
could keep their men at work after
l7 n. m. Labor day. Further pressure
last resort the president is consider
ing public appeal to the men them
selves to have the order rescinded.
Apparently the legislation which Is
being counted upon to stay the broth
y
program which would fix an eight
hour day for railroad employees en-
gagged in operating trains in inter
state commerce and provide for an
investigation of It's effects by com
mission or board This embodies the
principal features of the presidents
original plan, accepted by the train
men. w. G. Lee, head of the train
i .fsr1, {As, ,<.A.
with a guarantee OF the present rate
OF daily pny, would be- regarded by the
brotherhood leaders as a satisfactory
settlement" Immediately upon its be-
coming a law, he said, the brother
hood leaders would notify the general
chairmen that the strike order should
not go into effect.
| Even some of the congressional lead
ers who oppose other features OF the
program say such a law could be
passed.
The senate virtually side etracked the
emergency revenue bill for an all.day
debate on the crisis, while the inter-
state commerce committee arranged
for hearings beginning at 8 o'clock
tomorrow morning when representa-
tives of both sides will be heard
and then the committee will begin
drafting legislation into shape for pre-
/ scuatiuh to the senate Saturday.
One dominant thought In the minds
of members OF congress generally re-
suited in the introduction late In the
day Of resolution by Senator Blair
Lee of Maryland calling upon officials
Of the railroad brotherhoods to post
nnAi Al,, AuS1r o.
week to give congress sufficient time
for intelligent consideration OF legisla-
tion suggested In President Wilson's
message. The resolution was referred
to the Interstate commerce committee
without discussion. hst#=5.,
Opinion In the senate concentrated
on the urgent necessity for emer-
gency action first; proposals for per-
manent legislation to be considered
thoroughly after danger Of an imme-
date tieup had been passed. This
sentiment was forcibly expressed on
the floor and echoed In conferences
of house leaders.
The interstate commerce committee
discussed the proposed legislation late
In the day, but postponed action until
after tomorrow's hearings In the
meantime word came from the house
side that Representative Adamson.
chairman OF the commerce committee,
and Majority Leader Kitchin. had con-
cluded that the eight-hour day law
could be passed through the house
Tentative drafts of measures SUBJ
mitted to the senate committee and
communicated to all parties to the
controversy during the day include
the following provisions to be at
tached to a pending bill which would
(COnfinued nm pa0o EourN