Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-11-22
Chances Deemed Remote
for Decision by January !
in 8-Hour Law Appeal Case

in 8-Hour Law Appeal Case
Strong doubt was expressed here to-
being rendered by the Supreme Court
Of the United States on the constitu-
tionality Of the Adamson eight-hour
law by January 1. The Supreme Court
Is in recess until December 4. Even
should the appeal reach the Supreme
Court on that day and even If the court
should set a hearing for the case the
following day. which is considered ex-
tremely improbable. it is not deemed
probable that an opinion of the court
on a case of such great importance
would be forthcoming before January
l. The court has before it for argu-
ment and for consideration a number
OF very important cases. Dates for
argument in these cases have been
will entertain a motion to advance the
hearing of the eight-hour law case, it
may not be reached for a week or two
after the appeal has been made to the
court.
Decisions on Mondays Only.
The decisions of the Supreme Court
are handed down on Mondays. Deem
Der IS will be the last decision day of
the court before January 8, 70 rthe fol-
lowing Mondays fall on Christmas day
and New Year day. on which the court
does not sit
The Supreme Court invariably hands
down it's opinions on Monday. 1t has
never failed to observe this course for
upward of a hundred years. and 1t is
not likely, 1T is said, that it will de-
part from its regular procedure at this
time.
1t is quite within the bounds of posi-
bility that the court, after hearing the
arguments in the case, may not be able
to render decision by January 1. be-
cause Of lack of time to consider it
thoroughly. 1t is possible that it may
order the case re-argued. as it has
done in many other important cases, in
order to obtain fuller light on the sub
ject.
That it will be possible to stampede
the Supreme Court Of the United States
into action on this or any other case
in order to have its Judgment rendered
before any given time, was declared to
be unthinkable.
Initiative With Government.
AT the Department of Justice no
formal statement was made in regard
to the decisionso of Judge Hook. The
tact that the decision had been rem
dered against the government, 1t was
pointed out, really aided the govern
ment in expediting the appeal to the
Supreme Court. for 1t left the initiative
in the matter in the hands of the gov
eminent. Had the decision been rem
dered against the railroads the appeal
would have been made by the railroads
and might have been delayed by them
had they seen At.
However, it was admitted at the de-
partment that the railroads. appeared
to be as anxious as the government to
have the matter finally disposed of by
the Supreme Court.
Solicitor General Davis stated this
afternoon that the appeal of the gov
eminent had been perfected and would
be FASTENED to the Supreme Court The
record in the case will be filed with
the Supreme Court and a motion made
to advance the case to the earliest pos
stble moment for argument.
Plan to Expedite Appeal.
Attorney General Gregory. Solicitor
General Davis and a committee repre-
senting the railroads were in confer
ence at the Department of Justice last
night for the purpose of expediting the
litigation SO as to get an early de-
cision from the Supreme Court.
Attorney General Gregory showed in
terest in the decision. but declined to
comment. 1t was believed it will hasten
the suggested agreement between the
Department of Justice and attorneys
for the railroads to center the fight on
one case with a stipulation that the
Supreme Courts decision shall prevent
the briE ging of other actions and lead
to the quashing Of those already in
stituted.
Because of the renewed seriousness
of the dispute over the act President
Wilson has made Recommendations for
railroad legislation the principal part
Of his next message to Congress, which
he has completed. These recommended
lions will be practically the same as
those made by him to Congress last
August. when the Adamson bill. a part
of his program, was enacted to prevent
the threatened strike.
been strongly but vafnly urged to rec
ommend to Congress legislation au-
thorizing the interstate commerce
commission to fix wages paid on rail-
roads In addition to the proposals
made last summer for enlargement of
the commission, enforced investigation
of disputes before strikes or lockouts
to consider wages in fixing freight
rates, the President is understood to
have decided to urge again that Con-
9ress make. all arbitral awards in such
disputes judgments by record of
court Of law
Before Congressional Committee.
The railway executives now in Wash
;.~+o, halo an extended meetinp vester