Evening star., 1929-01-04
ADAMSON, FATHER
Of RAIL ACT, DIES
Georgia Representative for
Two Decades Helped Avert
Transportation Tie-Up.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, January 4.-The body
of William G. Adamson. who as Rep
resentative from Georgia sponsored the
railroad act named for him, will be
taken to his late home in Carrollton,
Ga, tonight for burial.
Adamson died at the Presbyterian
Hospital last night of pneumonia after
an illness of Ii days. He was IA years
old. At his bedside were Mrs. Adamson,
his sister-in-law, Mrs. Estelle Baylock,
and his three sons, Reese and Ernie
Adamson of New York and Charles of
Camden. N. j. He had come to New
York to spend the holidays.
The most significant achievement
linked with the career of Mr.. Adamson,
for two decades member of the House
of Representatives from Georgia, was
the railroad eight-hour- law, a
measure which fixed trainmen's work.
ing days at eight hours and prevented a
threatened strike in the industry.
AS chairman of the House interstate
and foreign commerce committee, Mr..
AdamSon also was active IN other rail-
road measures. He resigned in 1917 to
accept an appointment by President
Wilson as member of the Board OF
United States General Appraisers (Cus-
toms Court.
The Adamson act was passed shortly
before America entered the World War
during a period when a transportation
tie-up would have been especially dis
astrous. The bill was approved only
Of ffots nynrocciOY1 nf hi+tn, foo1i1oy oY1nno
members of both parties. but it was ac-
cepted by leaders of the railroad
brotherhood as satisfactory settle
ment."
Act Is Held Valid.
The Supreme Court was called to
pass on the constitutionality of the
Adamson act in March, 1917, and up
held it as valid in five to four decision
Briefly. the bill provided for reckoning
eight hours as a days work, and ap-
pointment of a commission to study the
effect of the change and report to Con-
greSs.
The Supreme Courts decision, read
by Chief Justice White, is considered
an epoch in law relating to railroad
transportation. The decision declared
both carriers and their employees. en-
gagged in business charged with public
interest, were subject to the right OF
Congress to arbitrate disputes affect
ing operation of that business.
During his years in the House Mr.
Adamson also was active in behalf OF
public health, water power and labor
measures. He practically led the fight
which resulted in the present Pacific
cable, and his efforts are credited largely
with bringing about elimination of ex-
treme provisions in the pure food act
He was a member of the subcommittee
that drafted the bill creating the De-
partment of Commerce and Labor.
Mr.. Adamson was serving his eleventh
term in Congress when he resigned tC
accept President Wilson'S appointment
Later, on his retirement from the Gus
toms bench. he received letters of CON-
mendation from President Coolidge. as
sociates of the court and scores of at
torneys who practiced before him.
Attended Bowcon College.
Judge Adamson was born at Bowdon
Carroll County, Ga, August 13, 1854
He attended Bowdon College, now part
of the University of Georgia, and re-
ceived an A. B. degree there. Later his
alma mater conferred honorary degrees
of M. A. and L. M. D. upon him.
Completing his college education
Judge Adamson entered the law offices
of Samuel W. Harris and was admitted
to the bar in October. 1876. He ther
established his residence at Carrollton
Ga, where he maintained 1t until hi'
death. He was first elected to Congress:
from the fourth Georgia district in 1896
Mr.. Adamson was married twice. Hi:
first wife, Minnie Reese of Carrollton
died December 80, 1912. Five year:
later, on January /, 1917, he married
Ella Zellers Camp OF Granville, Ga
There were three children born Of thu
| first marriage.
Judge Adamson was an active mem
Der of the Methodist Episcopal Church
South, a Mason, a Knight of Pythia:
and member of the Royal Arcanum.