Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-30
SENATOR CHARGES POLITICS
DELAYS STRIKE ADJUSTMENT

NAL effort of Congress to rush through
legislation to prevent the railroad strike
ended temporarily in a snarl today, when
bitter charges were made that certain
Senators are attempting to make political
capital out of disastrous situation"
The charges we're made by Senator Rob-
inson, Arkansas. They followed a state
ment in committee by Senator Cumnlins
and another Republican whose name could
not be learned. These Senator's. II was
stated, declared that since the date of the
strike had been set and that strike ap-
pears TO be inevitable, there was no need
to rush through legislation that might
afterwards prove inadequate to hold for
all time as law.
The strike is not inevitable" Robinson
Is quoted as saying. 1T seems TO me that
at n time like this when the nation is facing
the most disastrous industrial situation in
our history. members of all parties should
stand together regardless of party or per-
sonal ambition.
IL have seen evidence the last two
weeks, and It appears to have come to n
head here. OF deliberate attempt to bring
the strike about for whatever political reac-
tion such catastrophe might cause"
The meeting grew so stormy that the
committee adjourned the session. after pass
ing a resolution agreeing to hear the en-
ployes, the railroad managers and the ship
pers in the Senate Office building tomorrow
Just before adjournment, however, the COM
mittee dec ded tentatively to meet again this
afternoon.
Differences later were partly patched up
when Senator Robinson told the Senators
with whom he has had differences that his
remarks were not meant to be personal,
but that he could not refrain. in the face
of what he believes to be IAN effort on
somebody's part to block any attempt at
prevention OF the strike" from speaking
his mind.
FollouInp this mornings paetinp of tb..
committee. Chairman Newlands gave out
the tentative draft of the legislation pro-
posed by the President
The measure giving the President author
ity to operate the railroads for military
necessity reads:
"If at any time any railway engaged in
interstate commerce or In the transporta-
tion of the mail shall cease to operate or
shall be seriously hindered in it's operation
because Of a strike of it's employees, the
President shall have power to direct the
operation of such railway whenever in his
judgment essential to military purposes and
to that end he may employ such part of the
forces or such civil agents or draft
into the service of the United States such
persons as may be necessary"
The eight-hour workday measure provides
Eight hours shall be deemed the measure
or standard for services of trainmen ac-
tually engaged In Interstate transportation"
The same bill provides also for appoint
ment by the President of a commission of
three to be known as the wage commits
sion" two OF whom are to be persons re-
spectively recommended by the railways and
their employees.
'"The commission shall observe the ad-
and financial effects OF the
lay as above defined" the measure pro-
Fides.
The bill then prov des:
THE President shall transmit the report
of the wage commission to the Interstate
Commerce Commission. and upon these find
ngs and such other facts as II may consider
yermane the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion shall reach decision as to what ex-
.ent. II any the change in the standard
work day Recess tates an increase In the |
freight rates OF the railways affected in |
,rder TO conserve their efficiency and secure |
/ fair return on the capital invested.
Pending the report OF the wage commits |
ion and the decision OF the Interstate Com
nerce Commission, the compensation OF /
ailway employees subject 10 this act for |
tRndard eight-hour work day shall not be
edueed below the present standard days
wage.
The wage commission shall also study
he problems OF the compensation for sery-
ces OF employees engaged In the operation
4 trains and the service Of interstate rail-
Dad transportation for the purpose OF de-
whether in the Judgment OF said
ommlssion power 10 fix and regulate the
fages OF such employees ought 10 be vested
q some public body"
The Presidents recommendations regard
ng arbitration were embodied in various
mendments 70 the existing law and follow
losely the Chief Executives suggestions
The penalty clause to the arbitration
reads:
ANY railroad company declaring OF
ausing lockout or any officer or agent of
ny railroad company who assists or par
Icipates In declaring or causing a lockout
ontEary 20 the provisions OF this act shall
9 liable 10 fine of not less than $500 nor
lOre than $4,000 for each day or part OF a
ay that such lockout exists
Any officer, agent OF employe of any
rEanized body OF labor or labor organiza-
on Who declares or causes a strike con
AIRY 10 the provisions Of this act shall be
able TO fine Of not less than $500 nor
lore than 5000 for each day or part OF
day that such strike exists
Amy person who ineites. encourages or
Ids IN any manner any employer TO de-
are or continue lockout or any person
no aids IN any manner any odicer. agent
employe OF any organized body OF Ia
or o. labor organization IN declaring or
tufinE z strike contrary . the provisions
this ACT qhail be guilty q 4 misdsmeanor
I'd liable 70 = me pf not less than 40
lr more than tl0or