Evening journal., 1916-08-30
PRESIDENT WILSON'S MESSAGE TO
CONGRESS ON RAILROAD SITUATION

order that the committee may be en-
abled and that the commission may be
enabled to deal with the many great
and various duties now devolving
upon II with promptness and thor
oughness which are with its present
condition and means OF action, practi-
cally impossible
Second, the establishment Of an
S-hour day as the legal basis alike Of
work and of wages. in the employ
ment Of all railway employees who are
actually engaged in the work OF OPP
Grating trains in Interstate transpor-
tation.
Third. the authorization of the APP
pointment by the President OF a small
body OF men TO observe the actual re-
suits in experience of the adoption OF
the S-hour day in railway transport
tation alike for the men and the rail-
ways; its effects in the matter Of op-
Grating costs, in the application Of the
existing practices and agreements to
the new conditions, and in all other
practical aspects. with the provision
that the investigators shall report
their conclusions to the Congress at
the earliest possible date, but without
recommendation as to legislative ac-
tion; in order that the public may
learn from an unprecedented source
Just what actual developments have
ensued
Fourth, explicit approval by the
Congress Of the consideration BY the
Interstate Commerce Commission OF
an increase OF freight rates to meet
such additional expenditures by the
railroads as may have been rendered
necessary by the adoption Of the s.
hour day, and which have not been
offset by administrative readjust-
. ments and economies, should the Ia
cilities and facts disclosed Justify the
) increase.
Fifth an amendment OF the exist
ing Federal statute which provides for
A., the mediation, Cancellation, and arbi-
= tration OF such controversies as the
present, by adding TO It a provision
that in case the methods OF accommo-
dalton now provided for should fail, a
full public investigation Of the merits
Of every such dispute should be in
stituted and completed before strike
e or lockout may lawfully be attempted
And, Sixth. the Judgement in The
I hands OF the executive OF the power
e In case Of military necessity TO take
control OF such portions and such
I rolling stock of the railways Of thl
= country as may be required for mil
d itary use and to operate them fol
!, military purposes. with authority Z,
d draft into the military service OF th'
T. United States such train crews ant
j. administrative officials as the cir
cumstances require for their safe ant
II efficient use.
Aid National Defense.
This last suggestion I make be
: cause we cannot in any circumstance
= suffer the nation to be haunnered Il
n the essential matter OF national de
re Tense. AT the present moment cir
r cumstances render this duty particu
d larly obvious. Almost the entire mi
" itary force Of the nation is statione
l. upon the Mexican border TO guard on
ot territory against hostile raids.
must be supplied. and steadily SUI
Ie piled, with whatever II needs for II
J. maintenance and efficiency. II
lc should be necessary for purposes {
e. national defense. 10 transfer any POI
y tion upon short notice to some Othe
p part OF tho country. for reasons no
I, unforeseen, ample means OF transpol
ID tation must be available, and avails
10 BILE without delay. The power cor
ie ferred in this matter should be care
n fully and explicitly limited IN cases {
+ military necessity. but In all sue
AZ cases il should be clear and ample.
There is one other thing we shoul
he do il we are true champions OF arb
l. tration. We should make all arbitr;
OF BILE awards, judgments. BY record 0f
IN court OF law in order that their II
p depreciation and enforcement ma
E. lie. not with one of the parties to II
g, arbitration, but with an impartial an
TO universal.
N These things I urge upon you, NJ
ne in haste or merely as a means A.,
OF meeting present emergency, but z
or permanent and necessary additions
to the law Of the land. suggested. indee
ny by circumstances we had hoped nev'
y, 30 see. but imperative as we'll as jus
Is II such emergencies are to be pr
Re vented in the future. I feel that r
e. extended argument is needed to con
Id mend them to your favorable consi'
10 Grafton. They demonstrate then
he selves. The time and the occasio
IN only give emphasis to their impor
TO ance. We need them now. and v
'e- shall continue to need them"
10