davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01


WASHINGTON, Sept Should Iegis-
latlon be rushed through Congress in time
10 avert the nationwide railroad strike set
for Monday II will be unusual, but not un-
preeedented. II has been demonstrated re-
peatedly that when both houses OF Congress-
are desirous OF enacting legislation within
given time the work can be done II can
not be forced by any rule: however for
there Is unlimited debate in the Senate. and
any Senator may talk as long as he wants
70 and as often as he wants to on any bill
The Senate frequently cuts down debate
by getting Unanimous consent agree
ment" that no Senator shall talk more than
once on given subject. II would be i'm
possible 70 put through a cloture rule in
the Senate to meet the present emergency
and guarantee passage Of the bill by Non
day. because the cioture rule doubtless
would precipitate weeks OF debate.
Previous attempts to get such a rule
through have resulted in weeks OF debate,
and then resulted Ia complete failure
In the House IL almost invariably Is pos
sible to set legislation enacted expeditions
~ The Rules Committee OF the House
reports 3 special rule. which gives the par
tlcular measure Il Is desired to enact pre-
eedence over pending legislation. The rule
itself Is subject to only 80 minutes OF de-
bate on q side, 50 minutes IN all then a
vote on Il must be taken. The special rule
limits the Lime of general debate, and
then Il may be taken up paragraph By par
asraph. under the flYe-minute rule-that
=, no Representative may speak more than
nFe minutes on the paragraph
Important bills. such IS the measures
now being considered 10 avert the strike.
are usually drafted Ia the committees ana
are agreed upon before they are introduced
n the House.
Reprsssniatiye Adamsou. Of Georgia.
chairman q 1he House Interstate and F0r-
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01
PENNSY HIRES GUARDS
FOR SERVICE IN STRIKE
Men With Telephones to Be Sta
toned at Intervals of
200 Feet

high official of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road said today that enough men had been
hired to guard all railroad property in case
of strike. The men will be stationed 200
feet apart along all lines, on spots marked
by white posts. Each post will have a
telephone attached. and II there is trouble
the guard will have simply to telephone to
headquarters.
The company has arranged sleeping
trains of four cars each, with dining car
These will be sent to points where crews
end their runs.
The railroad officials said no trouble was
anticipated in any shops; that these work.
ers had declared their opposition to a strike
He also said 75 per cent of the men on the
Trenton division had promised loyalty.
Extra men are being hired for guard duty
at the rate of S5 day. They are being
engaged wherever they can be found
All major points along the Pennsylvania
lines have been heavily provisoned with
food and blankets.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01

cases that Congress has absolutely no power
10 FIX wages. and that is what the Adam
son bill amounts to-"
On every side there was a visible in
cnnation on the part OF the rail heads to
oppose the proposed legislation to the last
ditch. '
NEW YORK. Sept. 1.-Railroad officials
IN New York began preparations today to
hght the proposed elght-hour law should
II be passed by Congress. Consultations
with general counsel for the various rail-
roads were held and an appeal TO the Su
preme Court TO test the constitutionalitv
OF the proposed law was considered
Notwithstanding the prospects for avert
ing the threatened railroad strike, the heads
OF various lines are rushing forward their
preparations for maintaining a strike sched
ule of trains
+. j. Flynn, vice president and traffic
manager OF the Lackawanna said that Al
though the perishable freight embargo
would go into effect at midnight, clean
up train would be run over the road from
buralo on Sunday to pick up what perish
able freight 1t could. The Lackawanna has
collected large number of strlkebreakers
ana II was said that between 200 and 3O0
detectives employed by that road had volun-
teered to work as strikebreakers if the men
quit.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01
PRESENTS AMENDMENT
TO CONTROL RAIL EMPLOYEES WAGES

WASHINGTON. Sept AFTER an ALL
morning debate the Senate Interstate Com
merce Committee favorably reported to the
Senate, when II reconvened this afternoon,
the Presidents elght-hour railway em-
ployes' bill together with the proposal for
the appointment OF a commission to in
vestigate the plan and scope of such plan
on motion OF Senator Underwood an
amendment was incorporated In the meas
ure which gives the Interstate Commerce
Commission full authority In the future
over the wages and hours of all railroad
employees.
The motion to report the bill was with
out division. as the committee agreed that
the favorable report should not bind any
member OF the committee to vote or speak
either for or against the bill on the floor Of
the Senate.
WHAT THE MEASURE PROVIDES
The measure as finally reported to the
Senate by the committee would provide
An eiEht-hour day, at the present
day wnEes.
Investigation of the effect OF the
eight-hour day by a commission Of
and to report TO the President and
Congress.
Complete authority for the Inter
state Commerce Commission to hx all
rates on wages and hours of service
on the railroads involved. but con-
tinulng tho eiEht-hour day provision
for not less than six months.
The committee eliminated the provision
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01

which would direct the commission to con-
slider the eight-hour day plan In passing
upon n proposed freight rate increase.
CONTROL OF LABOR AND WAGES
The amendment comforting wages ana
hours Of labor control upon the Interstate
Commerce Commission. which was UNDER
stood to be agreeable to the railroads, the
most far-reaching legislation yet proposed
in the controversy provides:
That the Interstate Commerce Com
\ mission shall have the power to fix the
hours Of labor and prescribe just and
reasonable wages for all employees of
railroads named in section / of this
act The rate of wages and the hours
of labor provided for in this act shall
remain fixed for service and pay until
changed by the decision of the Inter
state Commerce Commission. which
within a period of not less than six
months nor more than 12 months from
the passage of this act shall determine
what are just and reasonable wages
and what shall be the hours of labor
for all employees of the railroads above
mentioned.
The Interstate Commerce Commission
shall have the power from time to
time to change the hours of labor and
the rate OF wages for all employees
of the railroads named in section one
Of this act In whole or in part pre-
scrbed by 1t on It's own initiative on
petition of the employees, the managers
of the roads, or the public.
The eight-hour day is made effective
1 next.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01

Shotgun procedure" is what Representa-
tive Bennett called the action Of the brother
hood leaders IN saying only an eight-hour
law can prevent the strike Monday.
II don't believe this bill will prevent the
strike" he said. mo one competent to
speak has told us Il would. don't think
any one really believes Il will.
This proposed legislation Is the. deadliest
blow ever. aimed at organized labor. do
not propose TO vote with a pistol at my
head am against this bill because II Is
revolutionary. BY this act today we take
the frst step away from the democracy OF
Thomas Jefferson"
Mr. Bennett declared that should this
measure fixing the length of days work
for railroad men be passed. Congress then
would be called TO fix the wages of every
body in the United States engaged In the
manufacture Of products entering into inter-
state trade
During spirited argument between Chair
man Adamson and Representative Dennison,
illinois, the latter urged amendment to the
bill to provide an eight-hour law for all
employees engaged In Interstate business.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01
READING ALSO ISSUES
EMBARGO ON FREIGHT
Railroad Companies Warn Men
They Will Lose Pensioners
Reward if Strike Comes

The three railroads In Philadelphia have
gone ahead and made all arrangements TO
be prepared In case the strike order is car
ried out on Monday. The Reading fell in
line yesterday and issued an embargo rul.
ing which is virtually the same az that
issued by the Pennsylvania the other day.
II has been announced by the roads that
men who strike will lose all chances of pen-
sioner's reward IL hey get their Jobs back
and unless the roads have to take them back
they won't.
None of the roads are making any prom
ises about passenger service, but they eN-
pect to be able to handle all passenger traf-
fic they say Revised schedules are being
prepared and will be ready by Monday
No excursions are being Cancelled.
Reading officials said yesterday that their
sudden decision TO issue an embargo order
was due to their desire to take steps to
protect their property and that of their
patrons. The order is as follows:
On account of the general strike
order issued by certain organizations
of employees In the railway train serv-
ice. embargo is placed. effective mid
night September I, 1916, on all live
stock, perishable freight, explosives
of all kinds from all connections or
loaded at stations of this company. All
other freight will be accepted at our
stations and from connections, subject
to delay, unless embargoes issued by
connecting lines provide otherwise. Be
The railroads are particularly anxious
TO rid their stations of all explosive and
in1ammable materials. In accordance with
its embargo order, the Pennsylvania Rail-
road ceased to accept shipments of this
kind at the close of yesterdays business
Absolutely no explosives or inflammables
will be accepted by that company until
Nhe strike situation clears.
The following statement was made yes.
terday by e. II. Ewing, general manager
T the Philadelphia and Reading Railway:
During the last four or five years the
brotherhoods, through arbitration, have
been getting all they have asked for
in the way OF wage increases. Dur.
ing that time there have been no
strikes. When the men voted for a
strike most of them had no idea that
there would ever be one. And now
that there has been a showdown thew
are not going to strike. However we
are going ahead with every prepara.
tion to take care of all emergencies
In case of a strike.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01
FOOD PRICES IN NEW YORK ADVANCE
AS ROADS KEEP STRIKE EMBARGO

NEW YORK. Sept. big eastern rail-
roads will wait for more definite assurances
from Washington that there will be nn
strike of the 100000 trainmen before
freight embargoes which become effective
today and tomorrow are lifted
At the Pennsylvania It was said some
action might be taken today toward modi-
flying the drastic embargo on all freight
but no definite assurances can yet be given
shippers. The New York Central is wait
Ing for more positive assurances that the
strike order will be withdrawn. Other
lines are doing likewise.
Embargoes on all pershable goods, In
Guiding foodstuffs livestock and munitions.
are now in effect. This means there will
be no shipments Of food to the larger
cities until the freight ban is lifted and
unless some definite word comes from the
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01
GOES TO CAPITOL AND URGES
PASSAGE OF BILL TO AVERT STRIKE

WASHINGTON, Sept. President Will
son went to the Capitol at 9:15 to confer
with the members of tho Senate Interstate
Commerce Committee and the Senate and
House leaders to expedite the passage Of
the eight-hour law for railroads, which
will result in the brotherhood leaders call
ing off the proposed strike.
The President urged the Senate and
House leaders to get together and pass
the bill today II possible. He was Under
stood TO be confident that the proposed
measure would be law by tomorrow
night.
He went to the office of Chairman New
lands. OF the Senate Interstate Commerce
Committee, and went over with the latter
the Strike prevention" bill which New
lands was to introduce today. After ap-
proving this, he went Immediately to his
rooms off the Senate chamber.
The President remained there less than
half an hour and conferred with only SEN
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01
RUSHING LAWS THROUGH CONGRESS
UNUSUAL, BUT NOT UNPRECEDENTED

eign Commerce Committee, introduced the
eight-hour bill in the House yesterday. Co
ineidently with it's introduction. he pre-
sented report from his committee recon-
mendlng IT'S adoption This bill is TO be
jammed through the House under the snse
eial rule in i've hours time. The special rule
limited the general debate to two hours ana
provided that there should be rolleall on the
measure at 1880 today.
Frequently the first and second readings
OF the olllsl are dispensed with in Congress.
This can be done BY unanimous consent. n
is not necessary 10 have any time intervene
between the readings
On one occasion President Wilson asked
Tor immediate action on legislation. and.
although an all-night SESSION was held BY
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01

tralnmen. Sunday may pass without
change of the order.
Prices are already advancing. Poultry
prices are up as much as cents pound.
Produce prices advanced from 10 to 20 per
cent and meat followed in the general climb.
At the Grand Central Terminal. the
Pennsylvania station and stations of all
other lines thousands poured through to-
day hurrying home ahead of the threatened
strike.
The New York, New Haven and Hart
ford reported several extra trains in opera
ion.
Grand Jury investigation of the sudden
increase of prices by some dealers in food
stuffs in anticipation of a railroad strike
will be asked by Joseph Hartgan, commits
sioner of the Bureau Of Weights and
Measures.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01
HOUSE ADOPTS SPECIAL RULE TO VOTE
TODAY ON S-HOUR RAILROAD BILL
Continued from Page On,

Continued from rage Ono
Cooper, Wisconsin. we're heartily cheered
ny the Democrats when they announced
they would vote not only for the special
rule but for the Adamson bill
dislike the attitude OF haste" said
Cooper, hut object TO the charge by
Representative Bennett, OF New York, that
the railroad men are forcing the legislation
with gun against the head OF Congress.
The railroad employees did not bring this
case TO Congress- They are not trying 10
hold up Congress- The President brought
this case here. There Is no more law
abiding body OF men in the world than
members of the four great brothefhoods.p
Lenroot Joined Cooper in declaring Presi-
dent Wilson responsible for the present
crisis.
The President told us Tuesday this CRISIS
had been threatening the nations life for
year Why did not he, and why did not you
Democrats do something before this, II he
and you knew OF the impending calamity2
No one believes this 10 really an elght-hour
law It is merely legislatlng the employees
an Increase IN pay"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01
SENATORS WILL DRAFT
SUBSTITUTE FOR WILSON'S PLANS

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1.-The Republi-
can senatorial conference appointed a COM
mittee to draft substitute proposals for the
Presidents legislative program to avert
the strike. The committee consists of Sem
ators Cummins, of Iowa; Brandegee. of
Connecticut; Weeks. of Massachusetts
Sterling, of South Dakota; Nelson, of Min
nesota, and Borah, of Idaho. The commit
tee began work Immediately.
The appointment of the committee was
the first indication of the Republican oppo-
sition to the Presidents program No ef-
fort Will be made to bind any RepublI-
can senator to the conference agreement
II was said. Each Republican will be free
to oppose or support the strike legislation
on the Senate floor.
The Republican conference recessed with
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01

the general understanding that no attempt
would be made to delay vote on the
eight-hour day bill after Saturday after
noon.
Conservative Republicans left the confer
ence determined to fight for substitute legis-
latlon embodying relief provisions for the
railroads in case the eight-hour day is
granted
Senator La Toilette, of wisconsin after
a rush trip from his home, reached WASH
ington at noon today. He hurried direct
from the station to the Senate Interstate
Commerce Committee meeting, prepared to
take active part in the fight on the Pres-
dents railroad legislative program La
Follette's arrival was entirely unexpected.
and Democratic leaders admittedly were
alarmed that he might complcate the al
ready delicate situation.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01
BROTHERHOOD MEN SERVE NOTICE
THEY WILL NOT HAVE COMPROMISE

WASHINGTON. Sept THAT Congress
must definitely act on the eight-hour bill
to have the railroad strike called off is
the position taken by the brotherhood chiefs
now here. They served notice on the
President and the congressional leaders
today that they would not accept n prom
Use of action. II the eight-hour bill has
not been enacted into law by Monday
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01

the Senate, the debate could not be con-
cluded in time to meet the needs. That was
when President Wilson asked CONGRESS to
authorize the use Of the armed forces OF the
United States IN compelling Huerta to apol-
osize for an insult TO the United States flag,
The House, as Is invariably the case, passed
the resolution In rapid-fire order, but the
Senate was more deliberate. While Senator
Root, OF New York, was speaking in the
Senate word was received that American
troops had gone ashore at Vera Cruz under
authority given by President Wilson With
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01

morning, the strike will take place on
schedule. the brotherhood chiefs say.
The Presidents efforts to get n con-
tingent promise in case the Senate halted
the proposed law have completely failed,
Administration officials say. 1t is under
stood that a statement making the union
position clear was left with the President
by A. b. Garretson, of the conductors,
when he visited the White House today.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01
CHICAGO FOOD SPECTATORS
INCREASE PRICES OF STAPLES

CHICAGO, Sept. /. - Speculative food
dealers in Chicago, the great food dlstribut-
ing center of the Middle West eagerly
seized the advantage OF the gravity of the
strike situation today and prices continued
to soar skyward.
Potatoes Jumped from $40 to s2.25 n
nushel. Hogs sold up TO s11.35, the highest
price paid here in years. Beef, sheen. fowls
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01

o,,t the approval OF Congress- and four ma
rjnes had been killed IN the action.
II is generally believed here that = ~, :,
sion of the Senate viii be held on sunuay
TO enact the legislation necessary 70 aNet Its :
the strike. AS soon as the House passes i.s ".
eieht-hour bill the measure VIII pc seis t.,its
viii differ in many respects, but an attempt
viii be made to compromise Their dlIler- I-
ences in conference After the conterees co,s
agree their report will be taken 10 each
House for adoption.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01

and other meats quickly advanced in price
due to the unprecedented situation.
Dealers claimed that the sudden jumps
We're due to heavy buying of smaller deal
ers, anxious to be plentifully supplied I'm
the event OF a general strike. They also
claimed that housewives were laying in ex-
ira supplies of staples. Jobbers and ware
house men bought heavily In anticipation of
higher prices
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01
he ii1 Vat FAMINE IN CITY
If r. r. STRIKE COMES


Continued from Page One
Ii indispensable for the operation OF the
refrigerating plants.
There is no meat supply nearer at hand
than virginia, Kentucky and Ohio Up-
state there is none now and in the spring
the supply will be inconsequentiaI. Should
the railroads be unable to send through
shipments of meat dealers may be forced
70 resort to strange methods of procuring
meat There are stranger spectacles than
herds Of cattle being driven overland from
long distances"
III the constant flow OF meat We're suddenly
stopped. the supply now I'm the city would
pc exhausted within week, according to
Wiiham Is. Margerum. OF the Reading
Terminal Market. who has been in the meat
business for 40 years.
CAN'T COPE WITH SHORTAGE
"A decrease in meat production in this
sountry or late years finds us unable 10
cope with sudden shortage such as is
threatened" he said Our domestic sun
ply has been added TO with Argentine beef
ana New Zealand sheep. The city is not at
All prepared 10 Withstand shortage
swifts. Armour's, Cudahys and other
large packing houses pointed out that moth
Ing could be done to prepare for a Siege"
because the facilities were lacking Tor
storage In the city meat. of meat In quanti-
ties larger than the normal This supplv
Il was said. was entirely consumed within
week or 10 days. The Delaware Storage
ana Freezing Company, the ConsolidatsS
Dressed Beef Company, Sulzberger & sons
Company Of America and other large con-
Germs reported weeks to 10 days supply
on hand. ''
The opening OF the oyster season today "a
expected 70 relieve the meat situation zonns-
Hhat II the blvalves are In suficlent guam
uty OysterInen said that It was too
easy 10 predict 70 what extent ovsters
could supplant meat on the table. but that
from all reports oysters were plentiful
The embargo on perlshabie freight clint |
mates the shipment OF oysters by rail-. shin
owners are arranging to take care Of tba |
Hafer transportation or consignments of |
oysters that ordinarily would, be sent By |
PRICES GOING Up.
BESIDES the shortage In meat ana other
provisions that would follow a strike within /
70 days. there is already at hand 4 sham
adFance ia prices for nearly evaryfhine Il
Further advances are predicted Tor Mon
Say Yesetables and general produce show
- s slight advance yesterday. Flour Is un.
ana theFe are gains IN butter and eggs az
ready Dealers are unwilling to predict what
HtlzHll may Be reached should a strike be
sailed. bat al agree prices VIII be unpreee-
4eulsd
Germ. 4heat and cats rose about cent
Yesterday and this morning. Other aa-
taneea are expected . follow. The general
.4h on The part e i0hbefs and large whole
4reza % stock uu in advance Of q strike is
|as az4les behind the sudden increase II was
a. Shouts the strike he called on
zA these dealers would he caught long
1.4Ht kinds q produces. and there would
s. nalu aeellHe e prices ~ along tie
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01

ator Kern. Apparently satisfied with the
outlook, he left at 1910 for the White
House.
AS the President neared the door Senator
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01

stone came hurrying In with head bent
He didn't see the President. The latter
recognized Mr.. Stone, grabbed him by his
arm and fairly swung him right about face
as he said, Hello. there old friend you
seem to be In hurry" The two chatted
a moment before the President started back
to the White House in his automobile
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01
Two Viescs of Penrose:
Boss Supreme or Ld6orer
wAsHINGToN. Sent.

DoIEs PENRosE, senior Senator
ID from Pennsylvania, indulged in
a dialogue with Senator Stone, of
Missouri.
Said Senator Stone, with Mis-
sourian wave of hand:
9Senator Penrose, boss supreme
political mondescripts =
discredited bosses"
The retort courteous from PEN
rose:
81 am but humble worker in the
vineyard"