The Prescott daily news., 1916-09-04
WILSON SIGNS EIGHT
 HOUR BILL ON TRAIN
Will Resign it Tuesday to Make Sure of Validity-If Law is Held Unconstitutional Strike Will Result,

W III hcSuft.
 Washington, Sept. 3.-The Adam son eight-hour day bill, exacted from Congress last week by the railroad brotherhoods as the price of calling off the nationwide strike ordered for tomorrow, was signed by President Wilson today in his private car at the Union Station, where he stopped on his way from Shadow Lawn, N. J., to hodgenville, Ky. That there may be no question as to the legality of the measure as a result of it having been signed on Sunday, the president will affix his signature again upon his re- turn to Washington next Tuesday.
 How long peace shall reign as re- suit of the bill apparently is depeni- ent upon developments in the proposed move to test the constitutionality of the act. Should the railroads take no action, but await the beginning of an investigation of the workings of the eight-hour day by the special commits sion for which the measure provides, the brotherhoods will remain inactive The employees leaders declare, how ever, that should the law be held un- constitutional and the railroads at tempt to restore the 10-hour day on their lines, strike will follow promptly.
 Brotherhood heads, in a circular letter to their members today, made no comment on the measure as passed. They merely pointed out that it would not become effective until next Jan. 1, and that many things might occur be- tween now and then which would change materially any suggestions or comment they might make.
 None of the brotherhood leaders witnessed the signing of the bill. They had expected, according to tentative arrangements made by Secretary Will son late tonight, to be present, but
 
 business at the railroad station and newspaper correspondents gave them their first information about it.
 Wilson Leaves for Kentucky. The four pens used by the president ! in signing the bill-one for each syl- liable of his name-will be presented to the four brotherhood heads, A. R. Garretson, w. B. Lee, W. S. Carter and w. s. Stone, after being used for resgning the bill Tuesday.
 No ceremony attended the signing today. It originally had been planned that the president should go to the White House, but this was changed, and instead Rudolph Forster, assist ant secretary to the president, took the bill to the train. Near the car window group of trainmen in their overalls paused in their work long enough to watch the president write l his name. An engineer, passing on a yard engine, celebrated the occasion with several prolonged blasts of his whistle.
 While at the station the president also signed several commissions and executive papers and sent Secretary Tumultv to the home of Majority Leader Kern of the Senate to urge that the Senate pass the Webb bill, passed yesterday by the House, de- signed to permit American firms to utilize the common selling agencies abroad without violating the Sherman antitrust law.
 Later the president and Mrs. Will son took an automobile ride about the city. During their absence the pri- vate car was attached to special train carrying guests of the Lincoln Farm Association, bound for Hogden- vile to participate in the exercises incident to the transfer of the log cabin in which Abraham Lincoln was born to the federal government to- morrow, at which time the president will make an address.
 It developed today that the brother hoods. before being summoned to Washington by President Wilson three weeks ago, had agreed to call strike effective Aug. 20, The orders they drafted were used when the strike finally was set for Labor Day. After having been printed in preparation for the proposed strike on Aug. 20 they were locked in vault in New York