Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-03-19

act which Is before us SO as to pre-
scribe by law for the absence Of a
standard Of wages caused by the fall
ura TO exercise the private right, to-
the end that no individual dispute or
difference might bring ruin to the vast
interests concerned. What would be
the value of the right to q reasonable
rate If all movement in interstate com
merCe could be stopped as q result of
q mere dispute between the parties or
their failure 10 exert q primary pri-
vate right concerning matter Of in
reTstate commerce.
Again what purpose would be sub
served by all the regulations estab-
lished to secure the enjoyment by the
public OF an efficient and reas0uab bic
service if there was no power in gov
eminent to prevent all service from
being destroved2
And finally. to what 7erfsion would
it not reduce the proposition that gov
eminent had power to enforce the duty
of operation If that power did not eE-
tend 10 doing that which was essen
tiaI TO prevent operation from being
completely stopped by filing the i'm
terregnum by a legislative standard
binding on employers and employees.
Within Power Of Body.
we are of opinion that the reasons
stated. conclusiveIv establish that from
the point of view of inherent power.
the act which is before MS. was clearly
within the legislative power of con-
gress to adopt and that in substance
and effect it amounted to an eEertlon
of it's authority under the circum-
stances disclosed to CompuIsorlIy arbi-
trate the dispute between the parties
bE establishing as 10 the subject mat
ter of that dispute O. legislative stand
ard Of wages operative and binding as
d matter Of law upon the parties.
Limit 10 Employees Demands.
REGARDING the emplOye, the major
ft- 0nfnf0n saws that whatever would
be the right Of an emplOye engaged in
q private business 10 demand such
wages as he desires. 10 leave the en-
pI0yment If he does not get them such
rights are necessarily subject 10 lIml-
tatiOn when employment is accepted
in a business charged with public in
terest and as to which the power to
regulate commerce possessed by con-
gress applied
Synopsis Of Dissent
The synopsis of the dissenting 0pin-
ion Of Justice Pituey, Joined I'm by
Justice Van DevanJer, follows jus
tiee PitHev for himself and
Justice Van DeyanteT. delivered a dis
sentiug opinion expressing concur
renee in the view of Justice Day that
the Adamson law IFS unconstitutional
because congress. although confessed
~ not in possession Of the information
necessary for intelligent and just
treatment OF the controversy between
carriers and the traiumeu, arbitrarily
imposed upon the carriers the entire
and enormous cost of an experiment
al increase in wages. without provid-
ing for any compensation to be paid in
case an investigation should demon
strate the Improperly of the in
crease.
Not Proper Regulation.
Justice Pitneys opinion expressed
the view Of himself and Justice Van
Deranter that the act lis unconstitu-
tionaI on the FURTHER and more funda-
mental ground that it Is not proper
and legitimate regulation Of com
MERGE within the meaning of the con
stftuU0n. that il does not establish
eight hours as the limit of d days
work, there being no prohibition of