The sun., 1916-09-09
GOLD BRICK" SEEN
IN EIGHT HOUR LAW
Railroads Able to Work Men
Longer Under 1t, Rcpub-
leans Assert.
ROOSEVELT TO SPEAK
Addresses VIII BE One Week
Apart. Chairman Will
cox Announces.
ROOSEVELT TO SPEAK

Since the first attack by Charles =.
Hughes on the method OF passing the
Adamson eight hour law for railroad
had scouts out sounding public opinion
on the question. These reports, coupled
with confidential, ones coming from
agcnt among the railroad men. con-
vince Republican leaders they have moth
ing to fear, despite Democratic predlc-
lions to the contrary.
Al national, Republican headquarters
here II was asserted yesterday that indi-
cations were hat for every vote Wilson
might have won from the men directly
benefited by this legislation. Mr.. Hughes
Is to get a hundred or more from busi-
ness men and people who a the
freight. Furthermore. the confidential
reports from Republican agents among
ever among his class. who might be ex-
pected to be for Wilson. there In ex-
pressed a fear that the Adamson law
may nave been a gold brick that un-
o't ~ hahe ram ~ . sho
mileage basis Of pay altogether and
work the men longer than they have
been working and for no more money
than they have been receiving on the
old basis Of both time and mileage.
As for the So per cent. OF railroad
workers not directly benefited. they are
calling the train service men hogs
and saying unkind things about Wilson
giving them all the fat.
Wage scale Only. Wilcox saya.
A. showing the prominence the Re
publicans intend to give to this question
from now on. Chairman Wilcox Of the
National Committee. " following a confer
ence with Theodore Roosevelt at Oyster
Bay yesterday. gave out 4 statement on
the recent legislation and just what IL
meant as the Republicans see II. THE
one fact which stand out and should be
clearly understood said the chairman
as that this In reality does sc. provide
for the eight hour day. II is simply a
measur providing for a rate Of wages
Continuing. Mr.. Wilcox pointed ou,
that IL had been urged ov the defenders
OF this legislation that the shorter hours
would result in a safer and better ser.
vic" ~ this were true re said. ",her
the Adamson aw had failed to meet IN.
question. because under his law tn
railroads could work their men ten OF
even fourteen hours a Tav without LEI
or hindrance.
the benes, M n sbor, de-, ,,ndsr ~.
,c, according 70 Nr whey
As TO the manner of ol,n.nipy thi.
Legislation and tho nrecei,n. es,nhitsha,
the chairman said
ny this legislation n preceden, ha,
now been established nv which wap,
scales in gainful occupa,lons are 10 n,
determined by legislation. II this prece
dent can or ought to ne followed III.
state Legislatures could fix the com
pensa:ion OF employees OF stree, rail
roads. gas and electric light companies
or any other corporations rendering ;
auasi-public service within n State 4,
fact. IL the principle IL sound I.egisla
lures should be called upon To fix tn
compensation OF employees in all occupa
lions
Under this legislation the principl
or arbitration, which has always bee
regarded as the real means OF a Jus
settlement Of troubles between tn
claims OF labor and capital. liz throw
TO the scrap heap to meet a politica
ex!gency in the interests of a wanin
political figure BY sacrificing the prir