New Britain herald., 1917-01-10
ADAMSON ACT IS
 NOT CONFISCATORY
Atty. Hagerman Claims Commis-
 sion Exercises Similar Acts

Washington, Jan. 1o.-Final argu- ments over constitutionality of the Adamson law were heard today in the supreme court, with special Assistant Attorney G. Hagerman closing the case for the government. The Jus- tices continued to question the attor- neys as they did yesterday.
 Maintaining power of congress to pass the law, MT. Hagerman said It can be operated temporarily as the ln- terstate commerce commission tempo rarily regulates rates.
 "Is there any law of that klnd?' asked Justice McKenna. Its done by the interstate commerce commits sion in daily practice" said Mr. Ha- german.
 "There is no claim that this law is conf1scatory," the attorney continued. It's done by the interstate com merce commission in daily practice said Mr. Hagerman.
 1 "There's no claim that this law IS I confscatory," the attorney continued. l Congress acted in it's discredition, 1 discretion with which the judiciary ! has no power to interfere" "Oh, no one claims that the court suggests it's discretion for that of con- gress;" interrupted Chief Justice l White.
 1 Not Meant to Go So Far. 1 When MT. Hagerman said the legal presumption-all presumptions-are 1 in favor of validity of an act of con- gress, the chief justice interjected: T don't believe it means to go that l far-not all presumptions but every reasonable presumption"
 The federal employers liability, hours of service. pilotage and other laws were cited by MT. Hagerman as precedents of the attention of con- gress to contracts of employees.
 When Justice Pitney asked if those laws were not a halo to rate regulation, MT. Hagerman said: 'I'n admit the question in this case goes little farther than you have here tofore decided"
 "The court called attention to the fact that pilotage stands on peculiar grounds because of the character of the employment, the chief justice in terrupted
 Power to Regulate Prices. Justice Pitney asked of congress had power to regulate the price 1 which railroads shall pay for coal, cars and engines.
 II want to know if there is any vested right in private property the line between private operation and public regulation" said Justice Pitney. "an congress force men to work against their will for wages they 1 may not be satisfied with?'' MT. Hagerman emphatically gave his individual opinion that congress has powers to enact compulsory arbi- tration legislation, if necessary for the movement of trains, and the court has said the men are a part and par eel of movement. In everything that concerns the movement of trains and engines, cars and what not, congress is supreme with power to regulate anything that deals with the move ment of commerce. Congress has the right to remove or prevent obstruc- tions of commerce, whether by com pulsory arbitration of strike or the bold threats of last September to stop carrying freight in anticipation of a strike.
 Public Interested.
 In the interest of efficient and safe transportation the attorney argued the public has an interest in en- ployes receiving an adequate wage.
 Regarding the power of congress to prevent strikes, Justice McReynolds asked: "Is there no limit in what congress can do to stop a strike? In the Dees case. could congress have or dered the railroads to pay MT. Dees $50,O00, to stop a striker" That's putting it pretty fierce, but I believe congress could," MT. Ha- german answered.
 "Or you don't mean that" Justice Vandeventer interjected. "That min- imizes and detracts from everything you've said.
 Asserting that railroads need no be afraid of the United States" anC turning to the railroad lawyers MT Hagerman closed by quoting, annie , general laughter, a quotation from
 Billy Sunday as follows: 'Wh1l' the light still burns the vilest sinner : 1 may return.