New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-17
RAIL CHIEFS PLAN
APPEAL TO WILSON
Department of Justice
Hopes for Adamson Law
Ruling by January !


he United States in fighting the Adam
on eight-hour law.
Immediately after this II was an
ounced that the other eleven big in
ustrial associations which, with tn
ounders, make up the newly create
,ational Industrial Conference Boarc
.ould follow suit.
This means that the railroads hav
.on TO their side those who have op
osed them in many bitter court fight
yer traffic rates. The twelve industris
rranizations represent the most for
,idable array of corporations in tn
-olld. controlling. it is said, approx
,ately sS,OOO,OOO,OOO of invested capi
al.
Demand Day in Court
The resolutions follow:
Whereas, A serious question OF
grave national importance has
arisen relative to the conflict be
tween the Constitution Of the
United States and the so-called
Adamson law, which law seeks 10
compel railway systems OF the
country to raise the wages OF GER
tain of their employees under the
n,retence Of compelling an eight-
hour workday; and
srWhereas, The railway systems
of the country have indicated their
opposition to the enactment ana
oneration of that law, claiming
said law to be in violation OF rights
guaranteed all citizens by the Con-
gtitution Of the United States: and
"Whereas, further, The Constitu-
tion of the United States guaran-
tees TO every citizen the right to
test through the courts Of the land
anv act designed to deprive him oil
life or liberty or property without
tue process of law; now, therefore,
NAN p
be 1t
Resolved, That We, the National
Founders Association, manufact-
urers and shippers of products IN
tho various states OF the United
States. declare that this right 10
have their cause determined by ju-
dicial proceedings should be Sc
cured to the railway systems of the
country. and that this association
approves of their attitude in the
maintenance of that right"
Expect Test Case
The railroads affected by the Adam
IN law are now waiting for the Attor
ey General to make the next move
embers of the conference committee
railroad managers expect that tn
epartment of Justice will select on
7 the many injunction suits brough
,ainst the law as a test case, ant
.rry it through the courts TO a speed!
ling. This. il is declared, will be en-
rely acceptable to the committee
rovided the railroads are not ief
able TO individual prosecutions by
leir employees after January 1.
Two suggestions were advanced yes
.rday in railroad circles looking
ward an amicable settlement. Thes,
themes. which were said to be baset
, advices from Washington, were:
First. that Congress, when it con
,nes in December, so amend th'
damson law as TO remove the objec
ons raised by the railroads.
Second, that Congress empower th'
damson Eight Hour Wage Commits
on, provided in the law to observe IT
oeration after January l. to interpre
,e law and thus avoid friction between
Ia roads and the brotherhoods as e
DIV the law should be applied.
Iaions to Appeal to Wilson
The present plan Of the big Four
~ presidents OF the four tram servic'
reanizations. is said to be 10 appeal di
,ctly TO President Wilson TO make Ger
lin the benefits which he intended Z
rant them in the Adsmson law. Th'
rotberhood chiefs say that they di'
NJ seek the aid Of the President, tina
E invited them TO Washington. es
oused their cause and practically
,rced the Adamson law through boil
ouses OF Congress, and that there
IRE il is up to him 10 see then
trough" now.
The brotherhood presidents expec
, discuss the reopened issue with th'
resident early next week when the!
0 TO Washington to attend the hear
,gs of the Newlands Congressions
which was appointed a
,e last session to investigate railroad
in general. They will be a
,e capital Sunday and Monday, a
asst
II was also learned yesterday tina
ne big Four" will undoubtedly NEE
amuel Gompers. president OF III,
merican Federation of Labor, TO tall
yer the Adamson law and plans fol
he federation's convention at Balii
ore. The four chiefs are expected Il
idress the convention. Railroad Off
ais said that they would not be sur
rises il the brothcrhoods joined viii
Continued on psSe .. column