Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-08-29
Reject Railway Proposition.

While President Wilson was announc-
ing that he would lay the railway strike
situation before Congress at ESQ o'clock
today the brotherhood leaders rejected
the latest proposition Of the committee OF
railway presidents and actually ordered
the strike to begin at am. Labor day,
unless a settlement satisfactory to them
is reached in the meantime.
Their previous order for the strike was
tentative and required a secret signal to
put It into effect. Unless a settlement
satisfactory to the labor leaders Is
reached before that time or unless Presi-
dent Wilson and Congress find some way
to prevent 1t, the strike would start
Labor day without further notice.
action the first thing today in the belief
that some means was being sought to
prevent the strike actually being called.
BY their action they think they have an
ticipated any legal processes which might
be brought against them.
Congress Arranges Joint Session.
President Wilson announced his deci-
sion to address Congress In joint session
at 2:3O o'clock soon after the decision of
the labor leaders became known. Ar
rangements were made at the Capitol for
House and Senate to assemble in the
hall of the House to hear the President
propose the legislation which has been
agreed upon by the administration lead
ers
President Wilson worked nearly all
night on his address and after con-
ferring with Chairman Newlands OF
the Senate Interstate commerce com
mittee announced his decision. Word
was sent to the Senate and House lead
ers so they could arrange a joint ses-
sion. - -.
After seeing the President, Senator
Newfands went to tho. Department OF
torney General Chairman Adamson Of
the House commerce committee, Com
missioner Clark of the interstate COM
merce commission and Commissioner
Chambers of the federal mediation
board.
This conference was for the purpose
of putting the proposed bills into
final shape.
Has Definite Legislative Plan.
The President is putting before Con-
gress definite plan Of legislation for
dealing with the situation. 1t includes
lands, after conferences with Acting
Attorney General Todd, Secretary Lane
and several members of the Senate in
terstate commerce committee.
The bills to be taken up first are:
bill patterned after the Canadian
industrial disputes act. providing for
investigation of disputes between rail-
roads and their employees. and prevent
ing strikes or lockouts during the
period of Investigation.
An eight-hour law for rail1a en-
ployes, with q provision that sufncient
time shall be given the railroads to
prepare for its operation.
IYN-
Senator Newlands early this morning
Legislation for stopping a strike II It
begins before the preventive legfsla-
tion can be adopted.
Up to the present time President
Wilson has not consulted with the
House leaders because his plans pro-
vide for introducing the bills under
contemplation as amendments to a bill
already passed the House and now
pending in the Senate to increase the
membership o. the interstate commerce
commission.
The railway executives last night be-
gan departing for their homes, to be
with their properties in the event that
the unions follow out their plan to
call a strike Labor day.
Has Not Abandoned Hope.
1t was said in, administration circles,
however. that although the President
had decided to go before Congress. he
had not entirely given up hope Of
bringing the two sides together
through direct negotiations, and that
his efforts to that end stfll were being
continued.
In addition to starting the machinery
to be prepared for q strike II all me-
Eotiations fail. it was said the Presi-
dents purpose IN going before Con-
gress today was to lay all the facts In
the controversy before the country.
Conference at Capitol.
when Senator Newlands reached the
Capitol, after comforting with the
President and those who are drafting
the administration measure, he called
into council Senator Cumnsins. . re-
publican member Of the intsratats COM
msrce committee. Later he talked with
Representative AdAmson. chairman Of
the House interstate commerce COM
mtttse. and Democratic Leader Kitchin
was brought into the conference.
Representative Adam0on expressed
oppoaition to any legislation that does
not deal with both sides equally. He
already had given his advice that no
new legislation was really necessary
Mr.. Adamson insisted that any lssisla- |
tioa considered should be with q view
to heading on = disastrous strike
A bill drafted for submission to those
conferrinG on tho legislative plans WAS
talked over. This bill was Of drastic
nature and was designed 10 make the en-
ployes think twice before plunginx into 4
strike. |
Senator Newiands and Representative
Adamson went over . draft Of tho btit I'm
considering what steps ought to be taken.
It had bean previously discussed between
several men who have been active In leg
isiatfon Affecting railroads. with . view
to possible prompt consideration in COM
mittee.
Provides Basic Eight-Hour Day.
It provided for basic eight-hour day,
that the interstate commerce. commission
sax the nnaximun wages In an eaasG Of |
dispute tempaFarily pen4lng anY eonaafs-
asa adsustzasnt az r9tasv and Inst n