The Topeka state journal., 1916-11-20
IS FIRST
r.. r. and Brotherhood Inter-
ests Incidental, Adamson Says.
Framer of S-HOur Law Dis
cusses Future Legislation.

Washington, Nov 20-"The public
is the one most to be considered in
this controversy between the railroads
and the brotherhoods; both sides seem
to forget that they are our servants
in this matter" said Representative
W. c. Adamson, in an interview of the
national labor controversy.
Mr.. Adamson is chairman of the in
terstate and foreign commerce COM
mittee of the house. He was President
Wilson's chief lieutenant in enforcing
the eight-hour bill thru the lower
branch of congress. His views repre-
sent those of the administration.
Representative Adamson reiterated
his faith in the constitutionality of the
eight-hour law. He said 1t would
surely go into effect January /.
Plan Other Legislation.
President Wilson will talk with Mr.
Adamson within the next two days on
the matter of putting thru congress
the railroad legislation recommended
by Mr.. Wilson in August
Inls Is only one feature of staging
the arena in which the great railroad
fight will be conducted The four
powerful brotherhood chiefs came to
Washington late Sunday afternoon
Stone. of the engineers; Carter, of the
1iremen. and Lee, of the trainmen, ar
rived with Shepard, of the conductors
VINO represents his superior, Garrett
son.
Representative Adamson. in discuss
ing the proposed legislation, said:
believe in federal regulation. I've
bf been llshting for it for years. 1 don't
DeIleVe In government ownership
WHAT'S the use? A sovereign has lust
as complete control over the property
or his subjects as If he owned it. But
do believe in federal regulation. And
the only way to prevent strikes is by
lot
Government Control.
believe in this government taking
matters into its own hands The peo-
pie run this government and they are
que all protection. Strikes are an out
rage The laboring men have rights.
But they have no right to throw
orickp bats and tie up the country.
IL mas been said that labor or
CARNATIONS don't come under the now
er OF the Clayton antitrust act. Rut
am not SO sure of that. The Clayton
act Is very adroitly worded 1 should
NOT De surprised if these labor unions
began rioting if they did not find
themselves under control of the act.
Arbitration? 1 don't think much
OF it, Both sides have redress in the
courts There's always the opportun-
ny OF litigation; Litigation and civil
you don't have litigation you don'I
have civilization"
Asked as to the railroads chances
for the freight increase which they
asked incident to the passage of the
eight-hour law, Mr.. Adamson said:
The railroads wanted to make a
deal when they saw the law coming.
They asked the president for higher
rates. He didn't promise them any
thing. How could he? 1t is the busi-
ness of the interstate commerce COM
mission to pass on rates. He ,old
them, however a commission would
be created to see if a rate increase was
justified But the railroads took a bad
year to ask for an increase. They were
rolling in wealth They should have
taken a lean year. The men chose a
fat year to ask for favors. If they had
chosen a lean year, their chances
would not have been so good
Enlarge the I. c. C.
Mr.. Adamson has already put him.
self in favor of enlargement of the
| interstate commerce commission. Two
other recommendations of the presi-
dent-the railroad rolling stock and
employees be put under federal control
in war times-were called to the con-
gressman's attention. He said quick
" he had no doubt that congress