Evening star., 1916-09-01

vote for it as a measure of justice to
the railroad employees, because nobody
knows whether it is measure Of jus
tlce. He said that without inyestiRa-
tion of the facts Congress does not
KNOW whether greater compensation
ior the employees is just, although he
mas been lifelong champion of labor
Holds President Responsible.
who is responsible for this awful
condition. demanded Mr. Lenroot.
one who must bear the responsibility
is the President of the United States.
He says he has known about it for a
year"
Mr.. Lenroot said the employees them
selves must recognize some obligations
to the public. They must realize that
100000 or more children might die as
the result of the cutting off of the sup
ply OF milk by strike. He said 'the
time Is coming when the sovereign au-
thority of the United States will be
compelled to prevent concerted action
TO enforce demand prior to investiga-
ton by an impartial tribunal
ne insisted the employees should not
forget their obligations. nor the public
forget the obligations Of the railroads
islation
Representative Adamson praised the
Presidents stand in the strike. He said
the substantial feature of the bill is the
esta bi1shment of the eight-hour law
and the consideration of other adequate
legislation to come up later on.
Ihe rule was adopted without a rec
there was some opposition on the re-
publican fside. The general debate on
the bill itself then began, with Repre-
sentative Garrett OF Tennessee presto
| ing.
Mr.. Adamson Explains Bill.
Representative Adamson explained
the bill and the strike situation He said
| the American people demand that Con-
gress enact this legislation to avert a
strike In the case of people operating
trains" he said, "the eight-hour law is
right in the interest Of public safety"
Representative Parker Of New Jersey
said the pending controversy was almost
as far-reaching as war" He said the
employees daily take their lives and our
the Adamson bill simply grants an in
crease of wages for a year without any
permanent remedy. The time to provide q
the remedy is now. he said He pointed
out that the bill ignores various other
recommendations made by the President.
THE railroads have had fair notice,
| far more than year. declared Repre-
sentative Cullop of Indiana, who said the
| responsibility for the situation lies with
the railroads rather than with the men
Sterling Opposes Legislation.
Representative Sterling of Illinois
republican. charged that the pending
bill had no provision in 1t for an eight
hour law. that 1t did not shorten the
time of work OF the employees, that it
was useless to talk about its being an
| eight-hour law, and that under the
bill Congress only proposed an increase
of wages.
the man who works now ten hours a day
| for $1,000 will get $3.50 for ten hours
work, and there Is no limitation as to how
many hours he may work"
He said the same powerful organiza-
ton influence that brings this emergency
legislation will be back at the doors OF
Congress to forbid a change, IL the inves-
tigation commission should ind the pro-
visions Of the bill are unjust
THE people viii pay this increase Of
wages and 1t will cost the transportation
Of the country S20.000.000. Such a bur-
| den of tax on the country" he said.
should be Investigated.
Mr.. Sterling gave notice he would pro-
why should We not put in this bill, .
he asked. "a provision creating q board
| Of mediation and Cancellation, reouirine
an investigation before a strike or lock-
out shall be called"
He said there was nothing in tho law
| or proposed bill which prevented a
strike or lockout while this commissi on
| investigation Is pending.
| He announced he was Opposed tc
| compulsory arbitration"
Asks Unanimous Passage.
Representative Britt, republican. q,
North Carolina, asked for unanimous
passage Of tho measure. asserting tina,
it was only "a stop in the right direc.
tion-an eight-hour day for all work.
men,"
| Representative Gillett Of Massachn.
setts charged that the Legislation had
been written because the democrats
had been held up.
'One hour of Cleveland or Roosevelt .
he said. would have ended this tro6.
A sharp retort to Mr.. ofnett m,
made by Representative De Walt OF
] Pennsylvania, who declared no man
| could have done more to adjust the
/ trouble without legislation than Presi-
| dent Wilson"
Opposition to the bill was voiced BY
Representative Greene Of Vermont
when any body Of men hold up
Congress and threaten q national ca
lamity." he said. lit is time for us to
fix the responsibility for tbs act on
| those men rather than yield to them
| under duress."
| Representative Fess Of Ohio charac-
tertxed the measure as Q demand for
increased wages and not eight hour
day legislation" He gave notice that
he would vote against tbs bin
| Representative Cooper OF Ohio tela
the House that for twenty years As
haA w0rk0d In thu anRfnA cab and