Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-12-05


action by the senate; In order that the
commission may be enabled to deal
with the many great and various duties
now devolving upon 1t with a prompt
ness and thoroughness which are, with
Its present constitution and means Of
action, practically impossible.
Second, the establishment Of an
eight-hour day as the legal basis alike
Of work and Of wages In the employ
ment Of all railway employees who are
actually engaged In the work of oper-
ating trains in Interstate transporta-
ton.
Third, the authorization Of the ap-
pointment by the president Of a small
body OF men to observe the actual re-
suits in experience Of the adoption Of
the eight-hour day In railway trans
portati<n alike for the men and for
the railroads.
Fourth, explicit approval by the con-
gress Of the consideration by the in
terstate commerce commission Of an
Increase Of freight rates to meet such
additional expenditures by the rail.
roads as may have been rendered nec-
essary by the adoption of the eight
hour day and which have not been Off
set by administrative readjustments
and economies should the facts dis.
closed justify the increase.
Fifth, an amendment Of the existing
federal statute which provides for the
mediation, Cancellation, and arbitration
Of such controversies as the present
by adding to 1t provision that, in case
the methods Of accommodation now
provided for should fall, a full public
Investigation of the merits of every
such dispute shall be Instituted and
completed before a strike or lockout
may lawfully be attempted.
And, sixth, the lodgment In the
hands Of the executive Of the power.
In case Of military necessity, to take
control Of such portions and such roll.
Ing stock Of the railroads Of the coun-
try as may be required for military
use and to operate them for military
purposes, with authority to draft into
the military service Of the United
States such train crews and admins
trative officials as the circumstances
require for their safe and efficient use
( Renews His Recommendations.
The second and third Of these rec
concentrations the congress immediate
ly acted on: 1t established the eight
hour day as the legal basis Of worl
and wages In train service and II au
thorized the appointment Of a com
mission TO observe and report upon tn,
practical results, deemlng these tn
measures most Immediately needed
but It postponed action upon the othe
suggestions until an opportunity shoul,
be offered for more deliberate con
sideratlon Of them. The fourth rec
ommendation do not deem It neces
sary to renew. The power Of the ir
terstate commerce commission to gran
an increase Of rates on the ground n
ferred to is indlsputably clear and
recommendation by the congress wit
, regard to such a matter might seem
> draw In question the scope Of the con
Z missions authority or Its inclination
2 10 justice when there is no reason
) doubt either.
2 The other suggestions-the increa
5 N the interstate commerce commi
sion's membership and In Its faciliti
8 for performing Its manifold duties. Il
2 provision for full public investigate
. and assessment Of Industrial dispute
Z and the grant TO the executive OF d
0 power TO control and operate the ra
: ways when necessary In time Of W,
9 or other like pubic necessity no
8 very earnestly renew.
9 The necessity for such legislation
8 manifest and pressing. Those who ha
9 intrusted us with the responsible
8 and duty OF serving and safeguards
9 them In such matters would find
8 hard. believe, to excuse failure
9 act upon these grave matters or a
8 unnecessary postponement Of acti
Q upon them.
o Not only does the interstate CO..
Q merce commission now nnd II prac
o cally impossible, with It's present me
9 bership and organization. TO perfoI
Q Its great functions promptly and thu
q oughly. but II is not unlikely that
Q may presently be found advisable
q add to Its duties still others equa
Q heavy and exacting. II must frst
q perfected as IN administrative inst
o ment.
q The country cannot and should .
Q consent 10 remain any longer expos
8 TO profound Industrial disturbances
9 lack Of additional means OF arblt
o ton and Cancellation which the c,
Q Eress can easily and promptly supp
8 And all will agree that there mus
Q no doubt rs TO the power OF the exc
o tive 10 make immediate and unint
Q rupted use OF the railroads for the q
8 eentration Of the military forces OF
9 nation wherever they are needed a
o whenever they are needed.
q This Is a program OF regulation. p
0 vcntion and administrative ctiicicr
8 which argues lis own case In the m,
9 statement OF Il. With regard to {
q Of Its items. the increase In the Z
Q cheney OF the Interstate commerce &C