Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-19
SENATOR'S REJECT
WILSON PROPOSAL
COMMITTEE VOTES AGAINST
MEASURE DESIGNED TO DE-
LAY LABOR STRIKES.
Especial Correspondence.)

Washington, d. c., Jan. 1s.-Just as
predicted to your correspondent by
Senator Cummins month ago, the
senate committee on interstate COM
merce has rejected President Wilson's
proposal of compulsory delay of rail-
road strikes. The vote was to 8
when the committee took the roll call
on this vital issue on Tuesday morn
ing. Owing to the secret session of
committees, nothing definite is known
as to who were the two senators who
supported Chairman Newlands in the
vote on his bill, but 1t is understood
that they were Senators Lippitt of
Rhode Island and Brandegee of Con-
necticut. Senators Smith of South
Carolina and Underwood Of Alabama,
with five republicans, voted in the neg
atfve.
1t was agreed that on Wednesday
the proposal favored by the Iowa sen.
ator, providing for Official investigation
of industrial disputes on railroads, but
not seeking to forbid strikes at any
time, would be voted upon, and it was
assumed that this would get large
majority. Senator Underwood indicat-
ed that he would not press his plan
for giving to the interstate commerce
commission authority to fix wages and
hours Of railway employees.
As to the presidents suggestion that
congress should authorize him to take
charge of railway lines In time of milf
tary emergency, as means OF nation
al defense, the committee decided that
1t wanted more Information. It called
upon the judge advocate general Of the
army, General Crowder. to explain just
what powers are now possessed by the
executive in this direction. and what
need exists, II any, for enlarging those
powers.
The committee made 1t clear that its
refusal TO approve any application of
the principles Of the Canadian indus
trial disputes act for the prevention OF
strikes did not mean that it approved
of violence in labor. troubles. 1t tacit-
ly agreed to report, later on, II neces-
sary, a bill prescribing penalties for
the act Of physically obstructing the
passage Of trains in interstate COM
merce. In order that there might, Sbe
no mistake as to the policy to be pur-
sued, the postof1ce department waA
asked to furnish to the committee an
outline Of the present law and the pos.
sible amendments which would
strengthen 1t on this point. .s
Whatever measures shall finally be;
approved by the senate COMMITTEES will
be offered as amendments to the bin
now pending IN the senate, enlargfng
the interstate commerce commission.
So long as compulsory delay OF strikes
in not included, the house will approve
such amendments without serious de-
bate.
s. w. Needham of Sigourney, official
messenger from Iowa to bring to the
vice president the thirteen electoral
votes Of that state, is due to arrive in
Washington today. He will be intro,
duced about the capitol by his friend
Congressman Ramseyer, who will see
that the messenger gets safely into the
vice presidents room at the back OF
the senate chamber and there goes
through his formal speech.
These messengers with the electrical
votes of the several states have during
the past fortnight been reaching the
capital, hunting up their respective
senators. meeting Senator Salisbury
the president pro tempore of the upper
house, and trying to run through the
legal requirements Of their Job with.
out hitch. Some of them. however.
have tried to file their own personal
credentials as messenger in place of
the electoral vote certificate. Others
have left their credentials at home. to
be preserved as souvenirs OF the hon.
or
Vice President Marshall, absent on
vacation, Is missing all the fun OF
correcting the mistakes Of these prom.
fnent citizens of the sovereign com.
monwealths Of these United States.