The Washington times., 1917-01-17
Politicians So Regard Rejection
of Wilson's Recommendation
by Senate Committee.
HAS FOUGHT CANADIAN PLAN
Ex-Secretary of State Opposes
Principle of Disputes Act, As
Do Brotherhoods.

Action on the part of the Senate
Committee on Interstate Commerce in
rejecting the recommendation OF
President Wilson for the adoption of
the principle of the Canadian disputes
act in the anti-strike railroad legis-
lation is generally regarded among
politicians in Washington "as a dis
tinct victory for former Secretary of
State William J. Bryan, as well as
for the railroad brotherhoods.
If this principle were adopted rail-
road employees would be prohibited
from effecting a walk-out pending a
Federal investigation of any matters
in dispute between themselves and
their employers. In similar fashion
the employers would be prohibited
during such a period from effecting
locllouts.
Opposed By Bryan.
Not only has this Compulsory ser
vice" feature of the Presidents rail-
road program been fought by the
brotherhoods from its very inception,
but opposition has likewise been
voiced by Mr.. Bryan. That the House
Committee, as well as large numbers
of members of the House and Senate,
VIII lineup with Mr.. Bryan against
the provision, is regarded as likely.
IL so happens that Mr.. Bryan was in
Washington for a few hours yester-
day, and was at the Capitol at the
time the Senate Committee acted. In
conference with Chairman Adamson,
OF the House Committee, Mr.. Bryan
was assured of the support of the
committee chairman.
As further indicating the influence
which the former Secretary of State
was able to exert, ii Is a fact that
the substitute provision which the SEN
ate Committee decided to insert in the
legislation in place of the Caaadian
plan is precisely that which has been
urged by Mr.. Bryan. The committee
IN other words, voted to favor a pro-
vision amending the present media
ton act merely to the extent of pro-
viding that the Federal Board of
Mediation and Cancellation shall, in
stead of may, investigate all railroad
labor disputes, and shall give full pub
licity to its findings. The investiga-
tion would be public, but there would
be no idea of preventing employees
from striking during the process of
investigation.
Would Mean Test Of Strength.
At his conference with Chairman
Adapson, of the House Committee,
Mr.. Bryan strongly urged that the
House adopt a similar line, and is un-
derstood to have received the assur-
Rnce from Mr.. Adamson that the lat
ter would heartily support such a de-
parture from. the Presidents plan.
To what extent the President will
seek to force Congress to hfs way Of
thinking is problematical. Within
the past two days he has insisted to
CALLERS at the White House that he
regards the Canadian plan as the only
practicable means of preventing rail-
road tie-ups, and as an absolutely es-
sential part of his program. Should
he go to the mat with Congress on
the subject, political observers here
believe that the consequent fight
would involve an interesting test Of
strength between the President and
Mrs. Bryan.
Br6therhOOds Are JubiIant.
Representatives of the railroad
brotherhoods are jubilant over the
action of the Senate committee.
Thus far no action has been taken on
the proposal in the Presidents pro-
gram that the Government should be
clothed with authority to take over
and operate the railroads in case of
military necessity. The members of
the body are said to favor a provision
to prevent interference with the oper-
alton of trains by strikers.
The House committee expects to
devote the next few days to bearing
representatives of the brotherhoods
and of the railroads on the proposed
legislation