The state herald., 1916-12-08
CONGRESS HEARS
| WILSON'S MESSAGE
Presidents Address to Both
Houses Is Quite Short.
RAIL TROUBLES COME FIRST
Further Legislation on That Line 10
Strongly Reeommended-eiiI Civ.
Ing Foreign Commerce Promo
tsrs Frse Hand Necessary.

Strongly Recommended Civ.
Ing Foreign Commerce Promo
tsrs Free Hand Necessary.
Washington, Dec. 6.-President Will
son today delivered his message to
both houses Of congress In Joint ses-
sion. The address was as follows:
Gentlemen Of the Congress:
In fulfilling at this time the duty laid
upon me By the Constitution Of com.
municating to you from time to time
information Of the state Of the Union
and recommending to your considera-
tion such legislative measures as may
bs Judged necessary and expedient
shall continue the practice, which I
hope has been acceptable to you, Of
leaving to the reports Of the several
heads Of the executive departments the
elaboration Of the detailed needs Of
the public service and confine myself
to those matters Of more general pub
lie policy with which It seems neces-
sary and feasible to deal at the pres
snt session Of the congress.
realize the limitations Of time un-
dor which you will necessarily act at
this session and shall make my sug-
gesdoas ~ few as possible; but there
were some things left undone at the
hast session which there will now BE-
time to complete and which It seems
necessary in the interest Of the public
to Do at ence.
In the Arst place. II seems to me i'm
perativeiy necessary that the earliest
possible consideration and action
should be accorded the remaining
measures Of the program Of settle
ment and regulation which had occa.
sion to recommend to you at the close
Of your last session In view Of the pub
lie dangers disclosed by the unaccom-
modated difficulties which then existed.
and which still unhappily continue to
exist. between the railroads Of the
country and their locomotive engineers,
conductors. and trainmen.
Railway Troubles First.
then recommended:
First. immediate provision for the
enlargement and administrative reor-
ganixatlon Of the Interstate commerce
commission along the lines embodied
In the bill recently passed BY the house
Of representatives and now awaiting
action BY the senate: In order that the
commission may be enabled to deal
with the many great and various duties
now devolving upon It with a prompt
ness and thorouehness which are. with
its present constitution and means Of
action. practically impossible.
Second. the establishment Of m
elght-hour day as the legal basis nike
Of work and Of wages In the employ
ment Of all railway employees who are
actually engaged In the work Of oper-
atinE trains In Interstate transporta-
tion.
Third. the authorization Of the ap.
pointment by the president Of small
body Of men to observe the actunl re-
suits In experience Of the adoption Of
the clghthour day In railway trans
portntion alike for the men and for
the railroads.
Fourth. explicit approval by the con-
gress of the consideration by the In
terstnte commerce commission Of nm
increase Of freight rates to meet such
additional expenditures by the rail.
roads as may have been rendered nee.
essary by the adoption OF the eight.
hour day md which have not been on.
ne d uAs ,tsNl aee Il,.a aes -.
and economies. should the facts dis.
closed Justify the increase.
Fifth. an amendment Of the existing
federal statute which provides for the
mediation. concillntlon. and arbitration
Of such controversies ms the present
BY adding TO II provision TINT. In case
the methods Of accommodation now
provided for should fail. Il full public
investigation Of the merits Of every
such dispute shall be Instituted md
completed before strike or lockout
may lawfully be attempted.
And. sixth, the lodgment In the
hands Of the executive Of the power.
In case Of military necessity. 10 take
control Of such portions and such roll.
ing stock Of the railroads Of the coun.
try a. may be required for military
use and to operate them for military
purposes. with authority to draft into
the military service Of the United
States such train crews and admins.
trativs oficials as the circumstances
require for their snfc and efficient use.
0enswp Hls Rseemmepd dstloos,
The second and third Of these rec.
= concentrations the congress Immediate.
y acted on: II established the eight.
hour day a. the legal basis Of work
and wages In train service and II au.
thorixcd tho appointment Of com.
mission 10 observe and report upon the
practical results. dccming these the
measures most Immediately needed |:
hsse ~ v,pstnnned nrtinn ut,on tho 0fheP