Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-03-20

-SllOH ,, especially aSSalleQ by tn :, rai'1eads as void, providing the tenn rora"y increase, states:
 T "';ding the report of the commio- sion and for thirty days thereafter the comp nsation of railway emplo,es gil 6ct to this act for a standa l cisht'hour workday shall not be ra dacei below the present standa. 1 days wage, and for al necessary time iA cA' ess of eight hours employ,s shat :e paid at rate not less th me i'o rata for such standard eigh nJnr vorkday."
 seton 4, prescribing penalties, d d,- ,arc; Any person violating an. provisitn n of this act shal be gu " ot ,n demeanor and upon convie- iio ',e.f Il be fined not less than $1C0 and not more than $1,000, or impr-s- 'ned a-' to exceed one year, or bott.
 One of Six Measures.
 lne hdamsOn act was one of six in tE'' legislative program, presented b. President Wilson to congress in his message of August 29 after the strike had been called and after conferences failed to bring settlement, and when railroads were directing freight embargoes in anticipation of strike. Other legislation recommended in cluded reorganization and enlarge ment of the interstate commer 9 commission; approval by congress of increased rates to meet the increased wages proposed; public investigation Of labor controversies before strikes or lockout, and vesting the president o11f1, case of military necessity. All these have been considered by congress ex- cept the proposed rate increase, which the president withdrew in his open in gmessage to congress last Decem. Der.
 The house voted 23S to 56 on Sep tember l to pass the Adamson bill Seventy Republicans voted with Democrats in it's favor. Two Demo- crats, Representative Black of Texas and Steel, of Iowa, voted against it. On September 2, the bill passed the senate, 4S to 2S, Senator LaFolette, Wisconsin Republican, joining the Democrats, and Senators Clarke of Arkansas, since deceased, and Hard wick of Georgia voting with 26 Re- publicans against it. The brother hoods strike order was recalled that day and the President signed the measure the next day, Sunday. Sep. tember 3, and again on September 5.
 Early last November injunction suits were filed by various railroads in virtually all federal district courts to enjoin the laws enforcement. Tho crescent test came, brought by Alex ander New and Henry c. Ferris, re- ceivers for the Missouri, Oklahoma & Gulf railroad, was agreed upon 10 determine nationwide constitution ality and operation of the law. To expedite such determination, tho case was submitted without argd- ment to Federal Judge William c. Hook at Kansas City, Mo.
 On November 2, two days after the suit was filed. Judge Hook held the law unconstitutional, null and void" and gave a decree permanently en- joining United States Attorney W,l- son from enforcing it. Judge Hook dismissed the bill as to brotherhood officers named defendants and orde.'-
 
 pediting the appeal of the department of justice to the supreme court. He also ordered the railroad to keep ac- count of wage increases due under the law, to insure promptpayment fol- lowing a dicision upholding it's vali- dity.
 The federal appeal was filed in the supreme court November 27 and the court assented to expedition of the hearing, three days of arguments fol- lowing January to 10 Pending the decision, the department of justice and railroad attorneys formally stipu- lated that the 500 odd injunction suits should not be pressed, that the federal authorities would not attempt to enforce penalties for non-observ- ance and that the railroads would keep account of wage increases due from January 1.
 The railroad brotherhoods were not parties to the stipulation nor to the suit, and had no attorneys partici- pating in the supreme court argu- ments.
 In appeal to the supreme court, the department of justice contendej briefly, that the Adamson act is con- stitutional and enforce able, both as an "hours Of service" and wage fix ing statute, under congress- board and supreme constitutional authority tc regulate interstate commerce. Power of congress to fix wages and also t., prevent strikes, in insuring unob. structed transportation and move. ment of commerce was especially