Evening star., 1916-09-01
Adamson Bill Before House
Under Rule Which Provides
for a Vote This Afternoon

The Adamson bill was favorably re-
ported today by the House interstate
commerce committee, which amended
| provisions take effect January l next,
instead Of December /. and so as to ex-
empt electric railways from the pro-
visions Of the bill.
| The bill was Immediately reported to
the House, which met at IL o'clock.
Meantime the rules committee, two
members Of which. Representatives Har-
, rison. Mississippi, and Garrett, Tennes-
see, met with the interstate commerce
com mittee, then held a meeting, and
without any changes favorably reported
the Kftchin rule. which provides for
| two hours of general debate on the bill
and vote on the bill and any amend
ments in the House at 4:3e o'clock this
afternoon. Members of the rules COM
mittee said that under this rule the bill
should be disposed of by the House
shortly after 8 o'clock this afternoon.
Democratic Leader Kitchin called up
! the Adamson bill. Il ask unanimous
consent for its immediate considera-
tion," said Mr.. kitchin.
Il object" snapped Republican Leader
Mann.
Special Rule Brought In.
Representative Harrison Immediately
offered the special rule brought in by the
rules committee, and on the discussion Of
| the rule Mr.. Harrison made a speech re-
viewing the developments that led up to
what he said was condition that seemed
as If the strike was inevitable The
President then came to Congress, he said.
and asked for legislation. He said Con-
gress. in the interest Of the American
| people, ought to pass this bill by Satur-
day night and avert the strike.
Representative Bennett of New York de-
nounced the proposed legislation. He
said President Gompers Of the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor was right in say
| ing that there are worse things than
! strikes
There are worse things than
| strikes" said Mr.. Bennett. "and one of
those things Is the destruction of the
| American system of government" Mr.
| Bennett declared the proposed legisla-
| tion is the worst blow that organized
one. to cast my vote with pistal at
| my head" He said he was against the
| bill because it was revolutionary. "If
| YOU fix the pay of 100000 men today
| you've got to fix the pay of 1000
more tomorrow and sooner or later fix
the pay for every man in every indus
| try
| Mr.. Bennet said nobody knew whether
the proposed legislation would avert
| the strike or even postpone it, I'VE
have no authoritative statement from
| any responsible source that 1t will
| either postpone or avert a strike"
| We are cutting the ground from be-
meath our system Of government" he
said, "and are concentrating power ir
| Congress We are voting to ourselves
responsibilities which under no possible
| circumstances can we discharge"
Temporary, But Necessary.
| Representative Russell of Missouri
democrat, warmly commended the
Adamson bill, saying that it was a tenn
porary measure. but an absolute ne.
cesity." He said the President could b
trusted to appoint the right men on the
investigating commission.
| Representative Buchanan of Illinois
democrat, active in labor organizations
told tho House that while the labor mer
were not altogether in harmony with
the bill that is pending. they have
| agreed, as q compromise. that II such
legislation is passed it will avert 6
| strike"
| Representative Cooper Of Ohio. re-
publican. spoke in behalf OF tho labor
Organizations. He denied that labor
was holding up Congress at the point
Of a pistol, as Mr.. Bennett had said. Mr.
Cooper said he arose in defense OF or
ganixed labor. TT was not railroad
men who asked this legislation" he
said, "and they should not be accused
of holding up Congress In this way
The railroad men have not asked Con.
gress They do say. however. that II
this House passes this bill today and
the Senate passes 1t tomorrow they
would have tho power to call OF the
lstrike-"
Advocate Prompt Passage.
Representative Caldwell Of New York
democrat said he was glad the re-
sponsible democracy Of the country
was standing sponsor for an eight.
hour day for the workingman.
Representative Bor1and of Missouri
democrat urged passage OF the bill
| sRailroading is the one business insti-
tuition in the United States that Il
guaranteed q nxed return on capital
Invested. The workingmen have nc
guarantee whatever"
Representative Bakee. CalifofMfa,
dsmocraA urged . streng vots In favoi
Of the bill
Representative Lsnrsst sf Wisconsin