The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-09-12

nounced by Gompers in the quotation
from his spcech) If eight hours is In
fact arbitrarily fixed as standard WORK
day? As showing the understanding OF
standing, upon the question. the follow
ing excerpt from Senator Ihomas speech
is quoted:
TO my mind. however. ii Is the
exercise Of a very dangerous autnor-
ity, If indeed II exists at All. because
the power TO fix days labor al
eight hours necessarily carries with
it the power 10 fix 1t at sixteen
hours. and the power TO require the
wages now paid for ten hours to be
applied 10 eight hours carries with
it also the power TO require mon 10
work sixteen hours for eight hours
wages. In country like ours.where
the shifting currents OF pubic opln-
ion which always control pubic &C
ton are first in one direction ana
then in another. precedents resoTted
to In crises or occasionally may,
even in tho near future, rise TO
plague those who invoke their eH-
erciSe." e.
Law Contradtcts Gompers.
The object of the statute, from It's
own terms, was 10 ascertain what wages
should be paid to employees In interstate
commerce.: and the insertion Of eight
hours In the statute was only for ihe
purpose Of comparison. The hours OF
service are TO be determined by Con
grcss on the incoming OF the findings
Of tho Com mission. And Congress. or
tho Interstate Commerce Commission. or
some ether Commission created by Con-
gress, must necessarily be an arbitration
board To settle the question. not only or
wages. but OF hours or service. Inc
act is In effect all arbitration OF the
work day which Mr. Gompers said IN
wolves Il principle OF human welfare ahat
canno, be disputed and therefore cannot
be arbitrarcd" The act also provides f"-
compulsory arbitration by the creaIon
of the Commission who are clothed with
mower and authority 10 make an inrestl-
CATION (Which Mr.. Gompcrs says Is SIM
ply a way TO restrain Tree. necessary &C
ton on the part OF wage carners. and 10
make them more easily dominated by
employcrs.) The act therefore accom-
plishes just what Mr.. Gompers dc.
nounccs as destructive to the rights or
the wage Garner.
Congress are not entitled 10 praise or
commerdation from organized labor Is
the sixth recommendation OF the Presl-
dent TO Congress:
The Judgment in the hands Of the
Executive OF the power IN case OF
military necessity 10 take control OF
such portions and such rolling stock
o. the railways of the country as
may be required for military USE
AMI 10 operate them for military
purposes, with authority to draft
INTO inc HllLlthIN SCI ~ VI nav
United States such train crews and
administrative officials as the cir
cumstances require for their safe
and efficient use"
AS further showing that the labor
unions are giving undue praise TO Con-
gross, upon the assumption that the act
Is in their favor. is Section 8 Of the pro-
posed Senate Ell. reported BY the Inter
State Commerce Committee OF the SEN
ate and discussed on September lst, as
shown by the Congressional Record or
that date: .,.,,
Any person who shall wilfully
delay. obstruct. or hinder the opera
tion Of trains mentioned in Section
Of this act shall be guilty OF Il
misdemcanor and be punished BY