The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-11
Much of Legislation Recent
ly Passed Needs Compile
ton to Make Effective
RAILROAD PROGRAMME
WILL AGAIN COME UP
Labor Secured Its Part in Passage of
Eight-Hour Law, and Later Other
Angles Must Be Given
Consideration
By HUGH w. ROBERTS

Washington. September lo.-(spe-
.cial)-In December. Congress will be
chiefly concerned with the adjustment
of conditions incident to the effect of
legislation enacted prior to adjourn
ment Friday.
Chief among legislation which Is not
considered final is the Adamson eight
hour day bill applicable to operatives
of railroads. When Congress recon-
venes the commission which will have
studied the effect of the eight hour
bill will be ready to report. In addi-
tion to knowing the effect of that meas
ure, Congress will doubtless be in
formed as the constitutionality of an
act which In the guise of limiting work
to certain number of hours, really
regulates wages.
There Is nothing more certain than
that Congress, in addition to the fore
going, Will consider the remaining sug-
gestions made by the President in an
effort equitably to adjust differences
between capital and labor and thus
avert the trainmen's strike.
THE BIG FIGHT
1t is anticipated that labor, happy
some days ago in the achievement of
its great victory, Will be in another
mood next December For labor will
strenuously oppose the enactment of
that suggested remedy by the Presi-
dent which would, it is believed, pre-
vent future Strikes and "lockouts" AS
is recalled, Mr. Wilson desired the
passage of bill which, prior to a
lawful strike" or lockout" Labor
has already formally violently pro-
tested. and has declared that the en-
actment of that law would be followed
by practical reversal to slavery
1t is essentially, however the function
of Congress, having legislated in the
interest of labor. to legislate in the in
terest of the American public-legislate
in such manner that the public will not
be compelled to suffer as result of
labor Strikes" Labor. 1t appears, is
no more strong IN opposition to the
proposal of the President than to the
proposal of Senator Underwood. The
remedy of the latter consists in q ref
erence of wage disputes to the inter-
state commerce commission. the decis-
ion of which Is not too binding but,
through the weight of public opinion,
efficacious.
SHIPPERS TO OPPOSE
Following action to the above or
some similar effect Congress will be
compelled to authorize an investigation
by the interstate commerce commission
as to the equity in permitting railroads
to increase freight rates. The Ameri-
can shippers. anticipating such move
ment, have already entered protest.
They claim that the railroads at tho
present time. are, in some instances.
demanding excessive tariffs.
1t will not be the shippers, however,
who will make Congress pause. But the
people, the consuming public. might.
Congress (saye certain representatives
who represent great shipping districts)
is not seriously concerned with the
shippers. For Congress knows that
shippers have a faculty Of showing the
burden from their shoulders onto the
shoulders of the public.
Through the nature of he Presidents
proposal Congress will be able to
wash it's hands of the entire affair,
and in so doing escape the condemna-
ton that fell on the head of Pontius
I'ilate Mr.. Wilson asked that the in
terstate commerce commission be au-
thorized to investigate. Congress will
tell the people that there can certain
ly be no opposition to an investiga-
tion.
THE TARIFF COMMISSION
In December Congress will again dis
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