The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-09-01
By HUGH w. ROBERTS

Washington, August 31.-(Special )-The weight of the executive hand and the exi- gency of the hour may put through Con- gress within two weeks certain drastic, controversial and unprecedented legisla- tion which, but for the pending strike sit- limit of session.
 Regarding the foregoing, and having in mind the strike legislative programme proposed and urged by President Wilson. every experienced member of Congress readily agrees. While in the form of agreements with certain so-called recalci- trant democrats and Representative Mann, republican floor leader If tho House. many of the wrinkles, impeding progress. have been ironed out. 1t would surprise not at all were several strenu- ous battles staged before the task Is com pleted.
 There Is no question but that the rail- roads will offer objection to the scheme to make an eight-hour day the basis of work and wage for railroad employees. There Is no question, on the other hand. but that the employees will interpose ob- lection to legislation which. would make a lawful strike impossible before au- thorized investigation.
 SHIPPERS ARE AROUSED
 And. on the other hand, there are the shippers. American manufacturers are not looking with cquanimity or the prob- ability of the Interstate commerce com mission permitting the railroads to in- crease their tariffs. Those who ship goods are of the opinion that their bur den, at the present time, is heavy enough The argument is made that the consumer in the long run will bear the shippers burden. But the shippers, 1t Is indicated, are not altogether pleased with the situation.
 There is no question but that the Pres idents recommendation that Congress ex- press approval of an investigation by the interstate commerce commission to the end that freight rates be increased, was intended as sop to the railroads which are about to be goaded by the passage of an eight-hour law. The railroads, if re- ports are true, are not pacified. They would scarcely be satisfied, it is said. if Congress had guaranteed that they would be allowed to increase their tariffs.
 And the unions declare that law pre- venting a strike, before an investigation by a constituted authority, would cause a reversion to slavery. It is an interest," ing situation. It appears that neither the railroads. nor the unions. nor the ship pers are prepared in a spirit of resigna- ton to swallow the entire connection. that is being prepared.
 THE SEIZURE CLAUSE
 And there is another feature. The Pres ident proposed the enactment of bill permitting the chief executive for mill tary reasons to seize the rolling stock of railroads and draft into the service of the government train crews and admin fstratiye officials of the railroads. It is palpable that the intention of the Presi- dent was to guard the boys on the Mex ican border against starvation. Never theless, there are members of Congress who regard such proposed legislation as rather extensive and far reaching. In time of war, the President would be ac- corded the right to seize railroads or any other property But in time of peace. certain congressman think such power should be limited.
 But, on the other hand, there is school
 (Continued on Page Two)