Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1916-11-29
EIGHT-HOUR LAW IS DECLARED
CncOnstitutional-C Goes Direct
to U. S. Supreme Court.

Kansas City, Mo, Nov. 22.-The
/ government, led by Frank Hager-
man, special attorney appointed to
defend the constitutionality of the
Adamson eight-hour law against the
| attacks of the railroads, won its first
big point this morning by gaining an
| immediate hearing before the Su-
preme Court of the United States. AT
the same time the railroads will fol-
low the case to the Supreme Court
with decision of Federal Judge Will
| liam c. Hook that the law is uncon-
sti.utional.
In making his decision on a mo-
tion by the government to dismiss
an injunction suit by the receivers Of
the Missouri, Oklahoma and Gulf
| Railroad against the government and
the brothcrhoods to block the law
| from going into effect, Judge Hook
stipulated that the government be
allowed an appeal in the Supreme
Court before December 4, so that a
| final decision might be gained on the
law before January l, at which time
| it is to go into effect.
The Governments Advantage.
Lawyers conversant with the pro-
ccedings see distinct advantage for
the government in the first hostile
, decision.
Had the Judge held the law consti-
| tutional the appeal would have been
in the hands Of the railroad lawyers,
| who might be expected to use every
legal means of delay in order that the
, entire problem might remain unsolv-
| ed until the adjournment OF Con-
gress.
IN the event OF final decision
! there would have been no opportu-
| nifty to amend or strengthen the law
At 8 o'clock this afternoon the
Judge signified he would make his
| final decree, including the request Of
Mr.. Hagerman that the names of the
brotherhoods be Incorporated in it,
| and at the same time he will certify
| the governments appeal to the Su-
preme Court.
Although the government lost q
favorable decision on the constitu-
| tionality of the law, it had provided
for just such move by giving the
court two courses to act upon, each
one gaining the desired contention,
| that the case, without its merits be-
Ing quibbled over in lower courts, be
argued on before the highest court in
the land.
| The court house was allied with
| railroad attorneys when the case
| opened and Judge Hook took his
| bench.
| The Courts Ruling.
1T is far from an agreeable duty"
he said, "for Judge to record ju-
dicial conclusion without care and de-
liberation.
Upon consideration Of the Adam
son law, Of what is said Of its prac-
tical effect, and what was intended
i to be accomplished by it, the judg-
ment is that, as the court construes
sustained,
But since both parties have said
they would plead further, whatever
the decision might be, Il decree will
be entered for the plaintiff, reciting
that the defendant be allowed an ap-
peal in open court"
BY his decree the court refused to
dismiss the injunction filed by his
receivers in the case of the Missouri,
Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad, but
permitted an immediate appeal by
the government.
AN Order" he continued, "will be
entered for the plaintiff, reciting that
plaintiffs (receivers for the railroads
and their counseD to cooperate with
the Department Of Justice in lodging
an appeal TO the Supreme Court by
December 4, and in moving an ad-
vancement Of the appeal for such
early hearing as that court may find
1t consistent to grant"
All Attorneys Invited In.
Judge Hook also decided that
counsel for all railroads similarly in
terested in the question be invited to
participate in the presentation Of
the motion and advance arguments in
the interest of their clients before the
Supreme Court.
He also decided that the receivers
keep their accounts and be prepared
promptly to pay their employees on
| the basis Of the AdamSOn law should