Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-01-10

washington. Jan. 4.-Legislation to reg
olate the governments operation of rail-
roads and to guarantee the carriers COM
penation on the basis Of their average
operating income for the last three years
was asked Of Congress to-day by Presi-
dent Wilson In an address to both houses
in joint session. and carrying an appro-
priation Of a half billion dollars as IRE
volving fund" were INTRODUCED immediately
and an attempt will be made to rush them
to prompt passage.
While the Presidents address met with
general approval among democrats and re-
publicans alike. opposition is expected to
develop over a provision in the admins
tration bill that federal control shall con-
tinue after the war indefinitely. or until
Congress orders otherwise, and over de-
tails Of the compensation basis.
LABOR QUESTION CONSIDERED.
While the legislative wheels were set
moving. Director-General McAdoo spent
q busy day planning q solution Of labor
question with heads Of the four railway
brotherhoods and finally decided to refer
the brotherhoods' pending demand for a
general wage increase to an advisory
board Of four members to be appointed by
him IN q few days. This board will inves-
tigate all phases of brotherhood demands,
and recommend . course to Mr.. McAdoo
His decision will be effective as to wages
from January.
Tho plan will affect Immediately only
tile wage requests Of the brotherhoods
but demands which may be made later BY
other classes Of organized labor probably
viii be handled in the same way. Mr.. Nc
Adoo reserving the right to make what
ever decision he chooses without regart
to recommendations Of the advisers.
SOME INCREASES CERTAIN.
Some increases, both to the brotherhood
and to other railway labor. are general,
considered certain. The director-general II
a statement tonight promised every EN-
ploye that his rights and interests will
be Justly dealt with" and appealed for 1
hearty spirit Of enthusiasm and co-opera
ton from every man.
Efforts to speed the movement OF Goa
and other freight continued to-day aloni
with the legislative and labor phases o
the railway movement, and special order
were issued providing that 800 additiona
/ cars shall be furnished daily to certain
specified bituminous and anthracite mines
mainly in Pennsylvania for supplyinl
New England.
These problems forced Mr.. McAdoO t
postpone until tomorrow action on easter
passenger traffic officials recommends
tons for cuYtailment of passenger sched
ules, but he is expected to issue order
then for abandonment Of a number o
trains and elimination of parlor and sleep
ing cars to a great extent.
M'ADoo.s STATEMENT.
Referring to his negotiations with tn
brotherhood chiefs yesterday and to-da
the director-general tonight issued
statement saying:
''This II q time Of great stress. and tn
attitude Of every employe should be de
termined by the supreme need of tn
hour-duty to his country first of all
l cannot state too strongly the necesslt
for devoted and loyal service by ever
man in this emergency. Every railroa
employe IL now in effect a government
employe and as much In duty bound
give his best service to his country as
ne wore the uniform Of the United State
army and occupied the trenches at tn
front. Every unnecessary delay In a trai
} movement vitality Affects our soldiers an
sailors and seriously impairs our abilit
! to defend our rights and our liberties
J Every man whose neglect or indifference
, causes such delays may be responsible
: for tho loss of the son Of some nobl
American mother or father. 1t is a
serious to the country for an employ
to be Stacker in his work as for a ma
| to be q Stacker in the army.
J 1.-THE present serious congestion an
} actual suffering for the want Of coal ar
J other supplies will be greatly improve
} and may be entirely remedied II ever
employe will do his utmost in his ind
vidual task. In the name of patriotism
: therefore. for the protection Of our sol
! abroad and Tor the safety Of the natio
] hope that every man. wherever place
will do his level best. Let us who sta
{: at home be ashamed not to be'willir
/; to make sacrifices equally as great
:. those our gallant sons are already NAL
. ing for US on the bloody field Of France