Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-19
REPEAL OF ADAMsON
8-HOUR LAW PROPOSED
Railroads and Labor Heads
Reported to Have Reach
ed Agreement


| WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-Reports
that railroad and brotherhood heads in
peace conference have planned to pro-
pose the repeal of the Adamson act and
the substitution of a working agreement
OF their own making for II, aroused
Representative Adamson. author Of the
law, to declare that congress would
spank both sides 10 the controversy
if necessary"
Mr.. Adamson, the house representative
of President Wilson in railway legisla-
tion matters, is willing TO cooperate
in any pan employees and employer may
evolve for the Interpretation of his law
as applied to working conditions, but
will vigorously oppose repeal of ii, as ne
thinks will the majorities of both hous-
es.
Congress will not agree to any re-
peal of the Adamson law" he said
The measure was passed in good faith,
and il is a constitutional enactment reg
ulating hours of labor and not wages.
Let the roads and their men settle their
wage disputes.
II hope the negotiations between the
railroads and their employees will result
in an agreement which will not make
further legislation necessary. but con-
gress will see that the public gets
fair deal If it becomes necessary to
spank both sides, We'll spank them,
though | hope that won't be necessary
ADAMSON OPTIMISTIC.
Representative Adamson looks with
optimism upon the efforts of the rail-
roads and brotherhood heads to get to-
gether, however. He says the result Of
the presidential election made the en-
ployers more eager for peace than they
were last fall and that the brewing be-
lief that the president stands for a COM
pulsory arbitration law has put the
brotherhood leaders in al conciliatory
frame of mind.
Neither labor nor congressional lead
ers here have official reports as to just
what phases of the railway situation tho
conferees have taken up. Belief is cur
rent, however, in congressional circles
that the foremost feature of the final
agreement will be an Interpretation or
the Adamson law so satisfactory to both
sides that the suit to test the acts con-
stitutiona!ity, now before the supreme
court, may be withdrawn. Repeal of the
law, ii is thought, hardly will be sugges-
ted. 1t is pointed out that many mem
bers of both houses, having defended
the law on the stump last fall, will not
be anxious to defend the repeal of it in
the next campaign.
A plan for the investigation Of
threatened strikes also is expected to
result from the deliberations. Labor is
determined that no compulsory arbitra-
tion law shall go on the statute books,
but realizing that the president evil
IDENTIFY Is very serious in his determine
ton to prevent strike crises without in
vestiEatiun, they will exert every effort
10 draft compromise plan that Will
have his Endorsement.
LEADERS ON WATCH.
The conferences are proceeding, all
parties to them maintain, without the
official promise CT administration lead
ers that action on the presidents rail-
way legislation program will be held up
pending an agreement. Congressional
leaders are watching them closely, how
ever. and nothing will be done to inter-
fere with their progress for the pres
ent.
Mr. Adamson will make an attempt in
the house today to get unanimous con-
sent for action on his resolution design
ed to provide for a continuance OF the
life of the Newlands commission investi-
eating all phases of the transportation
problem until January, 1918. This may
provoke a storm of argument, as friends
of the state regulation of railroads are
expected TO oppose the resolution. AS
surance of the presidents desire to
have the resolution adopted is expected
| TO be sufficient to carry ii through the
| house.
The chamber of commerce of the
United States announced that referen-
/ DUN vote of member organizations to
been ordered on a report of its railroad
committee recommending legislation to
| prevent strikes or loclIouts pending in
vestigation of disputes between rail-
roads and their employees. " The COM
mittee proposes that the interest of the
public in such controversies be recog-
nized as paramount, and that represent
atives of the public constitute the ma
/ jority of any board of Cancellation or ar
| bitration.