New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-06
Text of Wilson's Message
Urging Anti Strike LawS
Increase in Size and Power of Interstate Commerce
Commission to Prepare for New Burdens
Also Asked Of Congress

pute shall be instituted and com
plcted before a strike or lockout may
lawfully be attempted.
And. sixth. tho Judgement boo the
hands Of the Executive Of the power
in case Of military necessity. 10 take
control Of such portions and such
rolling stock Of the railways OF the
country as may be required for mill
tary use and 10 operate them for
military purposes. with authority 10
draft into the military service OF the
United States such train crews and
administrative officials as the cir
cumstanccs require for their saIe
and efficient use.
Necessity Is Pressing
The second and third Of these rec
concentrations the Congress lmmedi-
ately acted on; it established the
eiRht-hour day as the legal basis or
work and wages In train service, and
Dc authorized the appointment or a
commission 20 observe and report
upon the practical results, dccming
these the measures most Immediate
ly needed; but it postponed action
upon the other suggestions until an
opportunity should be offered for a
more deliberate consideration OF
them.
The fourth recommendation ] do
not deem il necessary 20 renew. Inc
power Of the Interstate Commerce
Commission TO grant an increase OF
rates on the ground referred TO s m
disputably clear. snd "A recommended
tion by the Congress with regard 10
such a matter might seem 10 draw IN
question the scope OF the commits
sion's authority or its inclination to
do Justice when there is no reason to
doubt either.
The other suggestions-the increase
in the Interstate Commerce Commits
sions membership and in its faclll-
ties for performing its manifold du-
ties. the provision for full public in
vestigation and assessment Of indus
tris disputes, and the grant 10 the
Executive Of the power 10 control and
operate the railways when necessary
In time Of war or other like public
necessity now very earnestly re-
new.
The necessity for such legislation
Is manifest and pressing. Those who
have intrusted US with the RESPONSE
bility and duty Of serving and safe
guarding them in such matters
would find it hard, ] believe, to eT-
cuse a failure to act upon these
grave matters or any unnecessary
postponement Of action upon them.
Commission Overburdened
Not only does the Interstate Com
merce Commission now find it prac-
tically impossible, with its present
membership and organization, 20 per-
form its great functions promptly
and thoroughly, but il is not unlike
ly that il may presently be found
advisable 70 add 20 its duties stlll
others equally heavy and exacting. II
must FIRST be perfected as an admin
istratiye instrument
The country cannot and should not
consent 70 remain any longer exposed
to profound Industrial disturbances
for lack Of additional means Of arbi-
tration and Cancellation which the
Congress can easily and promptly
supply. And all will agree that there
must be no doubt as 10 the power of
the Executive TO make immediate and
uninterrupted use OF the railroads
for the concentration Of the military
forces Of the nation wherever they
are needed and whenever they are
needed.
This is a programme Of regulation,
prevention and administrative eff
cheney which argues its own case in
the mere statement of IT, With re-
gard TO one Of its items, the in
crease in the efficiency of the Inter
state Commerce Commission, the
House Of Representatives has already
acted; its action needs only the con-
currence of the Senate.
! would hesitate to recommend, and
I dare say the Congress would hest