Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1916-09-01
STRIKE SITUATION
BEFORE CONGRESS
PRESIDENT ADDRESSES JOINT
SESSION IN ENDEAv0R TO
PREVENT WALkoUT.
Favors an EIsht-Hour Day for the
Men, and the Appointments of a
Body Of Men to Observe the
Actual Results.

ashinton.-President Wilson ad-
dressed a joint session of congress on
August 90, in an EFFORT to get leigisla-
ton that would prevent the threat
ened railroad strike, called for Z a. m,
September 4.
In his address the president admit
ted he had failed to bring about an
amicable solution OF the controversy.
President Wilson consumed just
twenty-one minutes in delivering his
address. He recommended:
Enlargement and administrative re
organization of the interstate com
merce commission.
An eight-hour day for all railroad
employees engaged in operating
trains In interstate traffic
A congressional committee to study
results OF the application of the eight
hour day to railroad operation alike
for the men and for the roads.
An instruction from congress to the
interstate commerce commission to
consider just what increase in freight
rates the railroads would be entitled
to. If any, due to the eight-hour day.
An amendment of the federal media
ton, cancellation and additional laws
to provide for a full public investiga-
ton before a strike or lockout may be
lawfully attempted.
Granting the president power in
case of military necessity to seize and
operate such portions of the railway
as may be required for military uses
to draft into the military service such
train crews and administrative off.
Gals as circumstances may require
At his conference with leaders OF
the house at the capitol Tuesday night
President Wilson was urged by his
party ieutenants to abandon all but
his first two propositions to congress
and let the others go over until the
next session.
Representatives Kitchin and Adam
son appeared to think that il the
president got one-half of his program
within a few days he would obtain
very satisfactory results. With the
enlargement of the commission and
the establishment of an eight-houl
day, house leaders believe the strike
will be averted. The impression tht
president had concerning the ability
and willingness of the senate to rusf
through his program astonished the
Democratic house leaders, who, fol
lowing the presidents address, gave
voice to their opinion that there woulC
be weeks OF debate in the senate i
the whole program were pushed.
Although negotiations. between tn,
employers and men were broken of
Tuesday by the rejection of the rail
way presidents latest proposal fo
arbitration, President Wilson is con
tinuing his efforts to bring the tw,
sides together on some form of agree
| ment
When the brotherhood leaders OF
| Tuesday rejected the latest propose
to the railroads and definitely set thu
strike for Labor day without furthe
notice, President Wilson decided t,
lay the whole situation before con
gress.
Immediately after the president ha,
delivered his recommendations con
gress set about to see how they Nigh
be enacted into law.
President Wilson expressed his eaI
| nest hope that the brotherhood
would yield to his request that, pend
| ing action by congress, they rescin
their strike order He asked the lead
ers to do SO at their conference Nor
day night, but they declined, sayinI
they had not the power. Presiden
Wilson takes the position that Il
view of his recommendation to cor
gress the brotherhoods have nothin
i to gain and much to lose If they carr
| out their strike order, because he be
| lieves under such circumstances put
| lie opinion will stand against them