The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1916-12-05

eight-hOur day as the legal basis
alike of work and of wages in the
employment of all railway employees
who are actually engaged in the
work of operating trains in inter-
state transportation.
Third, the authorization of the ap-
pointment by the president of small
body of men to observe the actual re-
suits in experience of the adoption
of the eight-hour day in railway
transportation alike for the men and
for the railroads.
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
railroads as may have been rendered
necessary by the adoption of the
eight-hour day and which have not
been Offset by administrative read
justments and economies, should the
facts disclosed justify the increase.
Fifth, an amendment of the ex-
listing federal statute which provides
for the mediation, conciliation and
arbitration Of such controversies as
the present by adding to it a provi-
sion that, in case the methods of ac-
commodation now provided for should
fail, full public investigation Of
the merits of every such dispute
shall be instituted and completed be-
fore a strike or lockout may law
fully be attempted.
And, sixth, the Judgement 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 mill
tary use and to operate them for
military purposes, with authority to
draft into the military service of the
United States such train crews and
administrative officials as the cir
cumstances require for their safe and
efficient use.
The second and third of these
recommendations the congress imme-
diately acted on; it established the
eight-hour day as the legal basis of
work and wages in train service and
it authorized the appointment of a
commission to observe and report up
on the practical results, deeming
these the measures most Immediately
needed; but it postponed action up
on the other suggestions until an
opportunity should be offered for
more deliberate consideration of
them. The fourth recommendation
I do not deem it necessary to renew.
The power of the Interstate Com
merce commission to grant an in
crease of rates on the ground re-
ferred to is indisputably clear and
a recommendation by the congress
with regard to such a matter might
seem to draw in question the scope
of the commissions authority or it's
inclination to do justice when there
is no reason to doubt either.
The other suggestions-the in
crease in the interstate Commerce
commissions membership and in it's
facilities for performing its mani
fold duties, the provision fer full
public investigator and assessment
of Industrial disputes, and the grant
to the executive Of the power to con-
troll and operate the railways when
necessary in time of war 0r other
like public necessity 1 now very
earnestly renew.
The necessity for such Legislation
Isl manifest and pressing. Those
who have entrusted us with the re-
sponsibility and duty Of serving and
safeguarding them in such matters
would find it hard, I believe, to ex-
cuse failure to act upon these
grave matters or any unnecessary
postponement of action upon them.
Not only does the Interstate Com
merce commission now find it prac-
tically impossible, with it's present
membership and organization, to per-
form it's great functions promptly
and thoroughly but it is not un-
likely that it may presently be
found advisable to add to it's duties
still others equally heavy and exact
ing. It must first be perfected as an
administrative instrument
The country cannot and should
not consent to remain any longer
exposed to profound Industrial dis
turbances for lack of additional
means of arbitration and concilia-
tion which the congress cah easily
and promptly supply. And all will
agree that there must be no doubt as
to the power of the executive to
make immediate and uninterrupted
use of the railroads for the concen-
tration of the military forces of the
CONTINUED on Page Twelve)