New Britain herald., 1917-03-20


 standard and all litigation, by formal agreement between the railroads and departments of justice, have been held in abeyance pending the courts de- cision. However, the railroads have been keeping special account of in. creases due since the law became ef- fective January l, with a view to prompt payment upon . ruling up- holding the statute.
 A decision upholding the S-hour standard, 1t was admitted. would not bal trainmen from working more ttah 8 hours day, but merely en- title them to pro. rata overtime pay. Also such a ruling entailed making of entirely new wage agreements for all trainmen affected, by private ne- gotiation, as to the amount of wages which shall constitute an S-hour day standard. .,y:s
 The federal hours of service act. prohibiting continuous employment regardless of the decision upon the Adamson law. -
 Entitled '.An act to establish an efEht-hour day for employees of car- riers engaged in interstate and for eign commerce, and Cor other pur- pcses." the law was made effective January l and comprised four sec tions. Briefly, the first section, pro- viding the permanent 8-hour wage standard. declares that beginning January eight hours shall; in con- tracts for labor and service. be deemed days work for the purpose of reckoning compensation of all em- ployes. now or hereafter employed by any common carrier by railroad .f. actually engaged in any capacity in the operation of trains"
 Railroads not more than 100 miles long and independently owned, and electric street and interurban rail- reads were excepted.
 Section 3, especially assailed by the tial commission of three, now head ed by Major General Goethals. to investigate and report to the presi- dent and congress the Operations and effects of the institution of the S. hour standard workday. 7. and the facts and conditions affecting the re- lations between such common car- riers and employees during. six to nine months A report within 30 days after that period, discretionary with the commission, was ordered. tho temporary increased wages re- malnluS HI eAeCl StiA aHothei SV days.
 section 3, especially asasiled by tho railroads as void, providing the tenn porary increase. states:
 Pending the report of the com- mission and for thirty days there after the compensation of railway em- ployes subject to this act for a stand ard S-hour workday shall not be re- duced below the present standard days wage and for all necessary time in excess of eight hours such employees shall be paid at a rate not less than the pro rata for such stan dard eight -hour workday."
 Section 1, prescribing penalties, de- clares: Any. person violating any provision of this act shall be guilty of misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not less than $100 and not more than $1,0Oo. or imprisoned rot , to exceed one year, or both"
 The Adamson act was one of six fir the legislative program presented by President Wilson to congress in his message of August 29 after the strike had been called and after con- ferences failed to bring a settlement. and when railroads were directing freight embargoes in anticipation Of a strike. Other legislation recom- mended included reorganization. and enlargement of the Interstate Com- merce commission approval by con- gress of increased rates to meet the increased wages proposed; public tIi- vestigation of labor controversies be- fore strikes or lockouts. and vesting the president with authority to oper-
 S,~ @F "a 1A. cessity. All these have been con" sidered by congress except the pro- posed rate increase, which the pres- ident withdrew in his opening mes- sage to congress last December.
 The house voted 2ss to 5e on Sep tember l to pass the Adamson bill. Seventy republicans voted with den'- ocrats in its favor. Two democrats, Representatives Black of Texas and Steele, of Iowa. voted against It. on September ?, the bill passed the sem ate, 43 to cS. Senator La Toilette. Wisconsin, republican joining the democrats, and senators Clarke of Ar kansas, since deceased. and Hard- wick of Georgia voting with ~ 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 ir virtually all federal district courts to enjoin. the laws enforcement. The present test cast. brought by Alex. ander New and Henry c. Ferris. re- ceivers for the Missouri, Oklahoma & Gulf railroad. was agreed upon to de- termine nationwide constitutionaiity and operation of the law. To ex- pedite such determination. the case was submitted without argument to Federal Judge William c. Hook at Kansas City. Mo.
 On Nov. 22. two days after the suit was filed. Judge Hook held the law .unconstitutional. null and void" and