Denver labor bulletin., 1916-09-09
Most Potent Recognition
Of Union Labor in
Worlds History
Strike Of 10000 Train Service
Men Set for Labor Day Averted
When Law Is Enacted Estab-
fishing Their Demands
On All Railroads

When the United States Senate passed
the Adamson house bill at Q o'clock last
Saturday evening, establishing a basic
cight-hour day for all men employed In
the railroad transportation service tho
four brotherhoods won u great victory
Following this action an order was i'm
mediately tclegraphed 10 every railroad
division in the United StSates calling off
the strike of 100000 brptherhood men
which had been scheduled for o'clock
Monday morning. labor Day.
Certainty that such strike would
paraly1e the transportation of the ma
tion. and insistence OF President Wilson
for quick legislation to forestall the
strike. the calling OF which was due to
the obstinacy OF the railroad managers
in refusing TO recognize the eighth hour
day. was the cause for this unprccedent-
ed legislative act
Passed House by Big Vote.
Tho bill introduced in the house by
Congressman Adameon Of Georgia passed
on Friday OF last week by n vote of
23g to Sc A bill proposed in the senate
by Newlands of Nevada, providing in
effect for compulsory arbitration as well
as the eight-hour day, was sidetracked
after n whole days debate. and the
Adamson bill taken up and passed with
out amendment by vote of - TO %.
Synators Hardwick Of Georgia and
Clarke Of Arkansas were the only two
Democrats voting spainst final passaee
OF the Adamson bill. Senator Lafollette
OF Wisconsin was the lone Republican to
cast his vote for the bill.
What the Bill Means.
u Passage OF the bill followed a day of
debate which was conducted under cir
cirmstances singularly dramatic. II con-
cludcd two weeks of suspense, during
which the nation had been confronted
with strike order that, had it become
operative, would have crippled the en-
tire nation and caused loss of millions
OF dollars
The bill Incorporates the principal fea-
lures OF the suggestions made by Pres
idcnt Wilson in his address TO a joint
session OF the house and senate Tues
day. II provides;
Am cight-hour day for all employees
in opcrating trains on interstate rail-
roads, with the same pay as now given
for ten hours work and pro rata for
overtime.
"a commission to be appointed by
President Wilson to investigate and re-
port on the effect of the eight hour day
as applied TO railroads, in not lcss than
six nor more than nine months.
Tho measure embraces virtually all of
the Presidents original proposals to the
employees and the railroad heads, altho
II is only part of the legislative pro-
grnm he took TO congress when his NO
gotiations had failed.
600 Messages Sent Call Off Strike
Issuance of the orders Of cancellation
followed n meeting of the four brother
hood heads and thirteen remaining mem
bcrs of their committee of 640 in Wash
ington TO await action by congress.
Some opposition to action until the pres
idcnt actually had affixed his signature
was evidenced in the meeting. but in the
end the seventeen voted unanimously to
call off the strike Immediately
All the codc messages had been pre-
pared in advance and as quickly as the
decision was announced clerks rushed to
the telegraph offices with armloads of
the messages. In all GOO such messages
were sent TO as many division chiefs
of the four brothcrhoods.
News that the bill had passed the sem
atc and the message calling off the
strike reached the brotherhood hcadqunr-
ters in Denver almost simultaneously
and there was great rejoicing. The news
QUICKLY Npits'u W hii NAIuS ahu
places where the trainmcn assemble, and
n great relief was expressed everywhere.
Vice President A +. Whitney of the
brotherhood of Railroad Trainmcn had
come to Denver to direct the strike in
this section. He was highly pleased
when he learned his services in this re.
gard would not be required.
Reed Presses Bill to Passage.
Senator Reed of Missouri taking up
cudgols for the brothcrhoods, asserted
that quorum of the house was not in
Washington; that II therefore would be
impossible to pass the bill II amended in
any particular in time to avert the
strike on Monday morning; and congress
would be blamed for the disaster If 1t
were not stayed in accordance with the
plan designed by house leaders.
This line Of argument won the day and
knot only prevented the adoption OF
amendments. but also served to defeat
nm amendment by Senator Newlands to
make interference with operation of
rnilrond trains misdemcanor punishable
r., H.. and ;unriaonment md nm nmend-