Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-08-30
Wilson Asks for Lcgisla-
ton With Which to
Appease Both Sides
"GOD HELP YOU" HE
TELLS BROTHERHOODS
Relations Between Two
Factions Are Severed
and Crisis Nears

" dent Wilson laying the railway
strike situation before congress today
with recommendations for legislation
| advanced the crisis to a stage where
the next developments depend upon
two points. They are:
Whether the legislation he pro-
poses can be passed.
prevent a strike already called for I
a. m. September 4?
| Neither of these questions can be
answered tonight.
| The brotherhood heads themselves
announcing their intention to fight
certain portions of the Presidents
| program, are at loggerheads over
whether its enactment would prevent
the strike.
The railway presidents favorable to
President Wilson's plan in the main
think ii would make It difficult for
the strike to begin.
Meanwhile although negotiations
between the employers and men were
br oxen off today bv the rejection Of
the railway presidents latest proposal
for arbitration. President Wilson is
continuing his efforts to bring the two
SIDES together on some form of agree
ment
Everybody Works.
, Efforts which might well be de-
| Scribed as almost superhman are
being exerted TO that end tonight.
When the brotherhood leaders this
morning rejected the latest proposal
to the railroads and definitely set the
strike for Labor day without further
notice. President Wilson decided to
In hnIn cit
gress.
Before n joint session Of house and
senate and with a solemn recital of
| the distress a disastrous strike would
| bring to the country, the president
proposed a plan of legislation. This
| Is the proposal in his own language:
First Immediate provision for the
enlargement and administrative re-
organization of the Interstate COM
merce commission along the lines en-
bodied In the bill recently passed by
the house of representatives and now
awaiting action by the senate in or
der that the commission may be
enabled to deal with the many great
and various duties now devolving
upon it with a promptness and "A
thoroughness which are with its
present constitution and means of ac.
tion, practically impossible
| Second, the establishment of an
eight-hour day as the legal basis alike
of work and of wages in the employ
ment of all railway employees who are
actually engaged in the work of Oper-
ating trains in interstate transporta-
| tion.
Third, the authorization of the APP
pointment by the president of a small
! body of men to observe the actual
results in experience Of the adoption
/
| transportation, alike for the men and
the railways; its effect in the matter
of operating costs, the application or
the existing practices and agreements
to the new conditions, and in all other
practical aspects with the provision
that the Investigators shall report
their conclusions to congress at the
earliest possible date. but without
recommendation as to legislative ac-
ton; in order that the public may
learn from an unprejudiced source
Just what actual develOpmnts have
ensued.
Must Have Increase.
Fourth, explicit approval by the
congress of the consideration by the
interstate commerce commission of an
increase of freight rates to meet such
additional expenditures by the rail-
roads as may have been rendered
necessary by the adoption of the eight
hour day and which have not been
offset by administrative readjustments
and economies, should the facts dis
closed justify the increase.
Fifth, an amendment Of the existing
federal statute which provides for the
mediation, Cancellation and arbitration
of such controversies as the present,
/ by adding to II provision that In
case the methods of accommodation
now provided for should fail, "A full
public investigation of the merits Of
every such dispute shall be instituted
and completed before strike or lock-
out may lawfully be attempted
Sixth, the lodgment in the hands OF
the executive of the power In case Of
military necessity to take control OF
such portions and such rolling stock
Of the railways of the country as may
be required for military use and to
operate them for military purposes
with authority to draft into the mill
tary service Of the United States such
train crews and administrative off
cials as the circumstances require for
their safe and efficient use.
Immediately after the president had
delivered his recommendations. con-
gress set about to see how they might
be enacted into law. The senate in
terstate commerce committee which
has before II bills prepared to carry
out the plan, did not get a quorum
and will meet tomorrow morning. The
house leaders announced their inten-
ton of waiting on the senate's action.
The president intends to use all his
influence to hasten action In con-
81 ess, but should there be delay, he
intends TO appeal to the patriotism OF
the leaders and their duty to the pub
lie not to persist In calling the strike
At this time.