Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-03-19
HISTORY OF ADAMS0N
! LAW AND FIGHT OVER
ITS c0NSTITUTl0NALITY
icy Associated Pressl

WASHINGTON, ID. C., March 19.-~
National enforcement and operation of
the Adamson law, enacted by congress
last September when a nationwide
railroad strike threatened paralysis OF
transportation, was suspended await
ing the supreme courts decision upon
fits constitutionality. National effect,
IL was agreed, rested upon disposal OF
the single test case of the Missouri,
Oklahoma & Gulf Railroad, chosen by
the railroads and department OF justice
TO determine, for the whole country,
the issues.
Involved were vital public and
private interest, present and future,
including those of American railroads
aggregating 250,0O0 miles and property
interests of $4,000, 900 900, together
with those OF 100000 railroad EN-.
ployes, one-fifth of the total. Also in
rolyed was future limit Of public regu-
lation and private operation of COM
iron carriers, with boundaries OF regu-
latory legislation by congress.
A decision upholding as constitution
al all features OF the Adamson act en-
tails
I. Permanent establishment Of,
work day Of eight hours as a measure
or STANDARD Of caleufsting wages and
service of train operatives.
2. Temporary but immediate in.
crease Of about IS per cent in wages,
during net less than seven or more
than II months beginning January l.,
last. Of about 100000 trainmen, mostly
Of the "5ig Four hrotherhoods Of en-
aineers. firemen, conductors and
hrakemen and those principally in
freight service. Comparatively few
passenger trainmen were given i'm.
. e@-hI
ii66+S.. increase OF from $40, OOo, 600
&c .0,ooo.0 900, az estimated by the rail-
roads, or about 10000, 900 as esti-
mated by the hrotherhoods. Future
additional cost Of permanent eight
hoursday scale was estimated by the
railroads at $1oo, ooo,o 900 annually, with |
prospective additional wage demands
from 100000 other employees not
Benefited by the Adamson law.
4. Vast extension Of congressional |
authority in federal regulation Of com. !
wage fixing by the interstate com.
unerce commission.
5. Future negotiations between rail. |
roads and trainmen Of new wage |
scales based upon the eisht-hour-day !
standard
6. Dismissal Of about 500 railroad |
injunction suits, In virtually every fed
eraI district court, to enjoin the laws
enforcement.
The temporary wage increase insti- |
tuition of the permanent eight-hour |
standard and all litigation, by formal !
agreement between the railroads and |
department of justice. have been held /
in allegiance pending the courts de:
cision. However, the railroads have |
been keeping special account of in.
creases due since the law became ef-
fective January /, with a view to
prompt payment upon ruling uphold.
ing the statute.
May Work More than Eight Hours
A decision unfolding the eight-hour
standard. II was admitted, would not
bar trainmen from working more than
eight hours day, but merely entitle
them to pro rata overtime pay. Also,
such ,Tuling entailed making Of en-
tirely new wage agreements for ali
trainmen affected, by private negotia-
ton, as TO the amount" of wages
which shall constitute an eight-hour
day standard @~-
The federal hours of service act,
prohibiting continuous employment OF
trainmen more than Is hours daily, re-
main undisturbed regardless of the de-
cision upon the Adsu; son law
Entitled An ACT TO establish an
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