The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-05
WILSON MESSAGE



Continued from Page OneJ
suits in experience of the adoption of
the eight-hour day in railway trans
portation alike for the men and for the
railroads.
Increase Rates to Meet S-Hour Law
Fourth. explicit approval by the
congress of the consideration by the
Interstate Commerce commission of an
increase of freight rates to meet such
additional expenditures by the rail-
roads as may have been rendered nee
essary by tn adoption of tn ight-hour
day and which have not been offset
by administrative establishments and
economies, should the facts disclosed
justify the increase.
Fifth, an amendment of the exist
ing federal statute which provides for
the mediation, Cancellation and arbi-
tratiOn of such controversies as the
present by adding to it a provision
that, in case the methods of accom-
mediation now provided should fail,
full public investigation or the merits
of every such dispute shall be insti-
tuted and completed before strike
lockout may lawfully be attempted.
And, sixth, the Judgement in the
hands of the executive of the power.
in case of military necessity, to take
control of such portions and such roll
try may be required for military use
ing stock of the railways of the coun-
and to operate them for military pur-
poses. with authority to draft into the
military service of the United States
such train crews and administrative
officials as the circumstances require
for their safe and efficient use.
| On Eight-Hour Plan.
| The second and third of these rec
concentrations the congress immedi-
ately acted on: it established the eight
| hour day the legal basis of work
and wages in train service and it au-
thorized the appointment OF a COM
mission to observe and report upon
| the practical results, deeming these
the measures most Immediately need
| ed; but it postponed action upon the
other suggestions until an opportunity
should be offered for a more deliber-
ate consideration of them. The fourth
recommendation do not deem it nee
essary to renew. The power of the
Interstate Commerce commission to
grant an increase of rates on the
ground referred to is indisputably
clear and a recommendation by the
congress with regard to such a mat
ter might seem to draw in question
the scope of the commissions author
ity or it's inclination to do justice when
there is no reason to doubt either.
| The other suggestions-the increase
| in the Interstate Commerce commits
sion's membership and in it's facil1-
| ties for performing its manifold du-
ties, the provision for full public in
vestigation and assessment of indus
! trial disputes, and the grant to the
executive of the power to control ana
operate the railways when necessary
in time of war or other like public
necessity now very earnestly renew.
Necessity Is Manifest.
The necessity for such legislation is
| manifest and pressing. Those who
haveentrusted US with the RESPONSE
bility and duty of serving and safe
guarding them in such matters would
] find it hard. I believe, to excuse a
| failure to act upon these grave mat
| ters or any unnecessary postponement
| of action upon them.
Notonly does the Interstate Com
merce commissio now find it practi-
| cally impossible, with its present mem
| berShip and organization. to perform
| its great functions promptly and thor
oily. but it is not unlikely that it may
presently be found advisable to add to
it's duties still others equally heavy and
exacting. 1t must first be perfected as
an administrative instrument
The country cannot and should not
| consent to remain any longer exposed
! to profound industrial disturbances for
lack of additional means of arbitra-
ton and Cancellation which the con-
| gress can easily and promptly supply.
no doubt as to the power of the execu-
tive to make immediate and uninter-
rupted use of the railroads for the
4 concentration of the military forces OF
the nation wherever they are needed
and whenever they are needed.
Program of Regulation.
4 This is a program of regulation, pre-
vention and administrative efficiency
which argues its own case In the mere
statement of it. With regard to one
of it's items, the increase in the eff
cheney of the Interstate Commerce
commission, the house of representa-
tives has already acted; its action
needs only the concurrence of the SEN
ate
> 1 would hesitate to recommend, and
: 1 dare say the congress would hesitate
to act upon the suggestion should
. make it, that any man in any occupa-
ton should be obliged by law to con
tinue in an employment which he de-
sired to leave. To pass law which
forbade or prevented the individual
! workman to leave his work before re.
ceiving the approval of society in do
| ing so would be to adopt a new prin.
| ciple into our jurisprudence which
take it for granted we are not pre-.
Il pared to introduce. But the propose
that the operation of the railways OF
the country shall not be stopped OF
interrupted by the concerted action OF
| organized bodies of men until a Dub.