The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-12-05

one or the shortest messages
ever sent to congress President
Wilson urges that early action
be taken TO complete his pro-
gram OF settlement and regulation"
recommended at the last session. The
message In full is as follows:
Gentlemen of the Congress:
In fulfilling at this time the duty
laid upon me by the constitution OF
communicating 10. you from time 10
time information OF the state OF the
Union and recommending TO your con
sideration such legislative measures "a
may be Judged necessary and eypedi-
ent shall continue the practice which
l 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 my
self TO those matters Of more general
public policy with which IL seems nee
essary and feasible TO deal at the pres
ent session Of the congress.
I realize the limitations OF time un-
aFf W bith AVu VIII nrtfcrhtAA haA NJ
this session and shall make my sag
gestions as few as possible. But there
were some things left undone az the
last session which there will now be
time 10 complete and which II seems
necessary I'm the interest of the public
TO do at once
The Railroad Problem.
In the first place. IL seems 10 me I'm
peratively necessary that the earliest
possible consideration and action
should he accorded the remaining
measures of the program Of settlement
and regulation which had occasion to
recommend to you at the close of your
last session I'm view OF the public dan
gers disclosed by the unaccs mmodated
difficulties which then existed and
which still unhappily continue TO ex-
list between the railroads OF the coun-
try and their locomotive engineers.
conductors and trainmen.
then recommended:
First. immediate provision for the
enlargement and administrative reor-
ganization OF the interstate commerce
commission along the lines embodied
I'm the bill recently passed by the house
OF representatives and now awaiting
action by the senate I'm order that the
commission may be enabled To deal
with the many great and various du-
ties now devolving upon IL with a
promptness and thoroughness which
a. nnnutitnHffnp aud
means OF action. practically impossible.
Second. the establishment OF an eight
hour day as the legal basis alike Of
work and OF wages In the employment
OF all railway employees who are ac-
tually engaged I'm the work OF operat.
ing trains I'm interstate transportation.
Third. the authorization Of the ap-
poIntment by the president of a small
body OF men to observe the actual re
suits In experience Of the adoption or
the eight hour day In railway transpor-
tation alike for the men and for the
railroads.
Fourth. explicit approval by the CON
gress OF the consideration by the In
terstate commerce commission of an
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 and which have not been OF
set by administrative readjustments
and economies, should the facts dis
closed Justify the increase.
Fifth, an amendment Of the existing
federal statute which provides for the
mediation, conciliation and arbitration
Of such controversies as the present by
adding to IT a provision that. In case
the methods of accommodation now
provided for should fail, a full public
Investigation OF the merits OF every
such dispute shall be instituted and
completed before a strike or lockout
may lawfully be attempted.
Control by the Executive.
And, sixth. the lodgment in the
hands Of the executive OF the power
In case of military necessity, to take
control Of such portions and such roll.
Ing stock Of the railways of the coun'
try as 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
trative o1ieials n the circumstances
require for their safe and efficient use
The second and third Of these rec
concentrations the congress immediate
y acted on: 1t established the eight
hour day - The leqal basis Of worl