Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1917-01-10
ARGUMENTS ON
ADAMSON LAW
NEARLY CLOSED
[Republican A. p. Leased wirel

Republican A. p. Leased Wtrel
WASHINGTON. Jan. Arguments
before the supreme court on the con-
sututiouality of the Adamson act
neared a close tonight after an all day
attack on the law by railroad counsel.
Tomorrow the final statement ot lhe
governments case VIII be maze and
the test suit viii be submitted for
court decision.
Questions OF law the merits of the
legislation and the manner of its en-
actment were discussed at length to-
day. and members of the court con-
tinued to add interest to the pro-
ceedings by interrupting counsel witt
questions
Lack by congress of authority to
enact what they termed railroad wage
LEGISLATION was the principal line Of
attack of the railroad attorneys Wal
Scr d. Hines and John G. Johnson.
They contended alsn that the law is
incapable li operation without judi
oul Interpretation, takes property
without due process Of law and inter-
ieres with liberty OF contract
Difficulty " definitely applying the
act was emphasized by Mr.. Hines. He
said although the law fixes an eight
hour standard railroad day for train
operatives, nearly an such employees
are employed on mileage, trip. run. or
aontalv basis.
The primary purpose of the act
was arbitrary regulation of private
contracts" he declared. in concluding
ar address of more than three hours.
III sets aside legitimate methods, sub
Sttuting on unworkable speculative
Arrangement It's classifications give
~ 10 h.. hnn l.
VINO were demanding the changes all
for the benefit Of n special aign paid
class In all aspects ii is Of uncon-
stitution7l and beWildering unworka bill
ttN without relation to any substan-
tial promotion of commerce"
In closing an address for the rail
roads. Mr.. Johnson assailed the hasty
enactment of the legislation BY con-
aress as Well as the conduct If the
brotherhood leaders. He said the act
Was es1inst public and purely for pri-
Nate Interest. and arbitrarily transfers
'etW eer forty and fifty million dol
lars from ,he pockets of the railroads
to The pockets Of the workmen."
tie insisted it is solely and purely
wage increase law. To make the
question of railroad wages political.
10 be settled bv congress from time
70 time he said. would lead TO un-
foreseen results
There is nothing in the Adamson
act for protection of the public" he
said. The brotharhoods had the hon
esty not to pretend they were pro-
ter-irs the prblic hut stood upon
their own selfish ends"
REGARDING the statement that the
act was passed 20 prevent strike.
he added:
Have we come to that? Have we
rea cted the period when the man who
thre2ters strike shall be awarded
I'm not comparing men. only methods.
nut we might as we'll buy off a gang
of hiehwaymer with bribe 70 prevent
interference with commerce"
Half an hour before court adjourned
Frank Hagcrman of Kansas City. spe-
ci7l ass Stagt to the attorney general.
began The c.osing address Of the
hearings He defended the law as
being capable Of operation by q mere
change Of railroad bookkeeping. and
SAID congress enacted ii in the face
of great emergency"
Il wasn't "a one sided affair" he
said. There we're railroad represan-
taiives who acted upon the assur1p-
ton thar railroads owe nothing to tho
publbe"
Assuming that congress can raise
wages for limited period can it do
so Tor an unlimited periOd2" asked
Justice Pitney. Where do you draw
tho lire between private operation and
public management"
J don't draw the line" Mr.. Hager-
man answered.
But it may be necessary for the
purposes Of this argument" Justice
CONTINUED on Page Two)