Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1916-08-31
WILSON ASKS TO
DRAFT RAIL men ! |
President Urges Congress to
Pass 8-hOur Law.
STRIKE DEFINITELY ORDERED

After Employees Act and Managers Re-
ject His Plan, Chief Magistrate
Goes Before Lawmakers With Rail
Case-WouId Provide Probe by
Special Body - Would Increase
Rates.
Washington, Aug. 30--The presi
dent was in consultation at the Capt.
toll after congress adjourned with
Speaker Champ Clark and various
house leaders. They plan to rush the
presidents legislative program
through in time to prevent the strike.
1t has been suggested that if a set
Element is not assured by Saturday,
joint measure shall be passed by con-
gress, making a strike that will tie
up the railroads of the country
criminal offense. Under this plan rail
way managers who lock out their
men, or labor leaders who are respOn-
sible for a strike would be subject to
heavy fines daily during the contin-
uance of the lockout Or strike.
The brotherhood representatives
who still are here, voted unanimously
not to withdraw their strike order as
a result Of the representations made
to congress by the president. The
brotherhood men have decided to
make a fight to the last ditch against
the compulsory arbitration feature OF
the presidents plan to create COM
mission to investigate strikes.
Washington, Aug. 30.-President
Wilson laid the railway strike situa-
ton before congress in an address to
both houses assembled in joint ses-
sion. The president told congress OF
his efforts to bring the railroad man
ayers and the men into some sort OF
agreement, and, saying he was power
less to do more, he asked congress to
enact certain specific legislation to
deal with the situation now and in the
future.
Pointing out the distress and hard
ships which nationwide strike
would bring upon the country, the
president asked congress to empower
him to draft into the service of the
United States the very managers and
men who have been unable to adjust
their differences so that the govern
ment may operate the railroads in
case of military necessity. He pro-
posed that congress-:
Presidents Proposals.
First.-Enlarge the membership of
the interstate commerce commission
to equip it to deal with larger situa-
tions.
Second.-That an eight hour day be
established for all trainumen in inter
state commerce.
Third.--That commission investi-
gate the effect of the eight hour day,
but without recommendation, that the
public may learn from disinteresteG
source of the merits of the question.
Fourth.-That the interstate COM
MERGE commission consider the in
creased cost of the eight hour day in
making rates.
Fifth-Amend the mediation law to
prevent strikes or lockouts while in
dustrial disputes are being investi-
gated.
SiXth-That the president be en-
powered to operate the railways in
case of military necessity.
How these recommendations are to
be carried out President Wilson left
entirely in the hands of congress.
Roads Issue Statement.
Just before the president went to
address congress, it became known
that the strike leaders had positively
called the STRIFE for Labor day, unless
a favorable settlement was reached
before, and that the negotiations be-
tween the managers and men had
been broken off.
The committee of railway presi-
dents made public statement Of
their position, declining to accept
President Wilson's plan and giving
their reason. The president present
ed all the details Of the two weeks of
negotiations to congress, recounting
how he had laid before both sides a
picture of the distress into which
strike would plunge the nation, and
how he had assured the railway man
ayers that the public would see that
justice was done them.
'They have thought it BEST" said
he, referring to the railway mana
gers, that they should be forced to
yield, if they must yield, not by coun-
sci but by the suffering of the coun-
try"
"While my conferences with them
were in progress" the president con-
tinued, land when to all outward ap-
pearance those conferences had come
to a standstill, the representatives Of
the brotherhoods suddenly acted and
set the strike for the 4th of Septem-
ber."
Could Only Propose.
Thus the president summarized his
efforts, and added
But | could only propose. | could
not govern the will of others who
took an entirely different view of the