Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-09-02

'''"' eh'ireiS confident that his efforts
have averted the industrial catastrophe
BROTHERHOOD HEADS
OCCUPY ROOMS IN CAPITOL
While the House was at work. the
three brotherhood heads, at the. iuvi.
tstiel OF Democratic Leader Kitchin
occupied rooms or the Ways and
Means Committee, near the entrance
TO the House floor. and were In con-
slant consultation with labor spokes-
men in the House They were insis
tent that the eight hour-day pro-
vision go through without any of tho
put forward during the debate. Repre-
sentative Casey. of Pennsylvania, was
constantly on the go between them
and Representative kitchin and Rep
rasentatiHe Heating, of Colorado. who
conducted their fight on the floor
When the vote was taken they OBJ
Viously were pleased. Their failure
TO make statements was attributed to
fear that anything they might say
would have an undesirable effect upon
deliberations in the Senate
In opening the Senate debate Senator
Newlands referred to tho Legislative
suggestions made by the President and
said the enlargement of the Interstate
pressed because of serious opposition
10 it at this time. The proposal for an
investigation as to the necessity for
freight rates the committee did not
comply with. he explained. because II
was thought that the Interstate Com
merce Commission already had power
to adjust rates. and it would be it's duty
to take into consideration all new facts
affecting them.
Regarding important Legislation to
prevent future labor crises" said SEN
ator Newlands. the committee could
not report to-day. Whether /, will he
reported in the future remains for the
committee to determine The same is
true also of the suggestion for n bill
authorizing the President tn operate
trains in time OF necessity for military
purposes"
REED Is FIRST CRlTR
Or COMMITTEES WORK
The first criticism OF the committees
work came from Senator Reed who
wanted to know if the section directed
against strikes and that giving the In
terstate Commerce Commission tower
to fix wages OF railroad err hovccs had
been suggested by Pre- s,,ien. Wilson
He insisted that only would deprive ;hc
worker of his right to contrac, for his
own pay and subject him To 'involun-
tary Servitudc" and tan other render
him liable to Imprisonment Cor some
Slight offense.
Senator Newlands snic tile two rro-
visions had been inserted without sug-
gestion by the President. Senator Reed
said the bill would arouse such feeling
that instead of stopping the strike it
would absolutely force it, why not
proceed as the President suggested. and
let other matters wait for deiibcration
after the settlement" he said
Senator Underwood said:
I'm his suggestion for compulsory
arbitration, the President was right
If you only want to settle this con-
troversy in the interests Of one side
organized labor-pass the cight-hour
bill. But there will be no strike, no
\ matter what you put I'm this bill. and
why should we say to the public now
that we will settle this thing, but in
six months you will have to face this
danger again? Give the Interstat c
Commerce Commission authority to fix
wages and hours, and no such crisis
can again rise In this country"
Senator Underwood declared that the
provision giving the commission au-
thority over wages broadcned the wage
scale to 100000 men. instead OF con-
tining to 100000.
PROVIDES PERMANENT
BOARD OF ARHITRATION
This provision provides "A perma-
nent board of arbitration in this coun-
try for railroad employees" he said
1t affords labor mn opportunity for its
day in court. In future II will not
have TO go with mailed MS, to demand
its rights" s.
Objection TO any action other than
the eight-hour legislation was voiced
by Senator Simmons. who said he
thought passage OF the bill with The
Interstate Commerce Commission wage
fixing provision might lead to "a strike
and passage without it would certainly
avert one.
These labor men," said Senator Tn
derwood. In reply, ARE men of intel
nGence and character and high stand
ing. They might protest and seek to
+ hold you and me responsible, hut 10
say they would go and declare strike
because OF this law is an indictment,
o. their integrity and intelligence The
strike Is off to-day"
GALLERIES IHRONGEn
AT NIGHT SESSION
When the Senate began it's night
session the galleries were thronred to
capacity, many railroad officials and
representatives of the brothcrhoods
oeing In the house. The House was
represented by Il score of members. in
Guiding Speaker Clark. who occupied q
seat on the Senate floor near Senator
Underwood.
In asking unanimous consent to Law
aside the Senate bill and take up the
one sent over from the House Senator
Ne wlands criticized Congress for not
responding TO the Presidents demand
for legislation which would serve as a
protection against "a future labor crisis.
and declared members feared 10 face
The issue because Of The political cam
pa!gn.
Senator Thomas also said that Con-
gress, and not the President, was cvad.
ing the responsibility of meeting a
great emergency without fear and in
way 10 make its action permanent il,
character.
senator CUmminS mad. n lout, sn..,b