New Britain herald., 1916-11-10
RAILROADS START | EIGHT HOUR FIGHT
Arguments Expected to Be Made in About Three Weeks

New York, Nov. 10.-With the fll- ng yesterday in Kansas City, Kan, bf the Santa Fe Railroads injunction 6uit against the Adamson eight-hour aw and the starting of a suit by the nion Pacific in Omaha on Wednes- Jay, the railroads of the United States began their fight against the Yesterday of the national conference ommittee of the railways at the srand Central Terminal, it was earned that a number of other suits gainst the eight-hour law would be lied next week, among them being -ctions brought by several large East |rn railroads.
 The railroads deferred court action gainst the Adamson law until after lection so that no political signid- ance would be given to the railroad ttorneys' condemnation of the act Railroad presidents who were demo- rats believe that sharp criticism of he act would have hurt President Wilson, and their republican col eagues agreed with them that 1t Fou1d be better to wait until after Fov. '. Again, the railroads wished avoid all allegations that their ght against the Adamson law had ny political motive and was not ased entirely on the merits of the hse- High railroad officials said yes- brday that the fact that the first of ne suits was filed while the result of 1e election was in doubt showed that nere was no politics in the situation. In the two months since the law as passed many of the highest-paid lwyers in the United States have cen studying the law in 8 search pr something unconstitutional in 1t. he plea of conf1scation, 1t was said, ould not be effective in a suit rought before the law was put into peration, and so the injunction suits ill be largely based upon the allega- on that the law violates the fifth mendment to the constitution In that affects the making of contracts for bor between the railroads and their nployes, and that it is not a proper bgulation of interstate commerce. If e injunction actions fail suits of an- her nature may be brought after e Adamson law goes into effect on an 1.
 No Arguments for Three Weeks.
 Tn m ost cases it will take about rec weeks for the injunction suits to pme Up for argument, it is said. 1s, +loo bout the time Of the opening of the aort session of congress. If at that me the democratic leaders show a sposition to modify the law, or hange it in a manner to block the ar lments of the railroads, it is con- dered probable in some quarters at the injunction suits may be Topped.
 There remains to be enacted that Rrt of the presidents strike settle ent program favorable to the rail- pads. President Wilson issued a atement at the adjournment of con- tess in which he said that the short Fssion would take up the enactment & the rest of the program, which in udes compulsory investigation of sputes and a resolution stating that is the consensus of congress that if
  bses a hardship on the railroads he Interstate Commerce Commission houId allow an increase in freight ktes. It was said by railroad officials esterday that the passage of the rest the program would have no effect +17o railroads determination to
 the eight-flour law to the finish, long as it stands in its present arm.
 The New1ands joint congressional bmmittee will begin it's work of in- estigating railroad operation on Sov 20, but it is said that the eight bur fight will be kept independent the Inquiry of the Newlands com littee, before which the railroads &ill make a plea for exclusive fedora gulation to replace dual federal an6 late regulation.
 The work of fighting the Adamsor Nv is being directed by the railwa. kecutives' advisory committee, wh1cf As offices at 61 Broadway, and O 8hich President E. P. Ripley of thu Ante Fe. which brought suit yester By, is a member. .-'.
 Tn the meanwhile the managers bmmittee is going ahead with 1t 3orlS of planning the operation of tn ght-hour law and fixing the change
 schedule which the installation o e law will bring about. Should tn " be declared unconstitutional tn orI of the committee would be tenn Ebrarily laid aside, and the disput stween the four brotherhoods an q railroads would be just where i as when President Wilson steppe to tho situation last August. .-.... Kansas City, Mo-, Nov. 10.-A pc 4ion enjoining the United States dis Set attorney and Tabor leaders Fon putting the Adamson eight-hou
 offont ,,ras filed in the Unite