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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 1916)
'.xmxnfxWviqMHU " ' "- 'WMWW 'WWIW( The Commoner VOL. 16, NO. S 22 .World Reconstruction to Fall on United States - -.--" '-" .... i iMPMiawm,,,,, A Now York dispatch, dated Aug. 28, says: PreHldont Wilson haa con tributed to the following article on "Amorlea's Opportunity" to the Gen eral Federation magazine: "No one can doubt that the Imme diate Huturo of tho world will bo crowded with quick changeo. Every truo lovor of America muat wish tho United Statca to play a part In those changes which will bo worthy of her ideal and her character. Almoat nlonc among tho gnoat nations of the world she will bo unhampered in mooting a great opportunity. MIn tho first placa nor resources aro unimpaired. Not only has the war and all its attendant circum stances made no hurtful drain upon her men or her materials; it has ovon enhanced her skill and added to hor resources. "She has dovolopod Industries that she had before neglected, has found now use for her materials and now matorlal for uso. No other nation will stand quite so ready as sho to sorvo tho world In every work of poaco and development. "Second, sho will probably of necessity bo tho chief rellanco of tho rost of tho world in tho field of fi nance. Probably tho chief part in supplying tho means necossary for tho groat reconstruction following tho war will full to hor. Burden Fulls Upon Financiers "When tho war began Amorlca was a dobtor nation. Whon It closes she will bo a croditor of all tho world. Hor financiers will have it within tholr choice to play a part they have noyor played boforo in the economic development of other nations. "Third, it is evident that the United States will understand herself better than over boforo. Tho war and all its attendant circumstances have pried her wide-awako to both tho dangers of her life and its enor mous possibilities and advantRcroR. "Wo had not realized tmrnm timf thoro were certain elements in our citizenship which had not in their heart of hearts dovotod themselves in full loyalty and allegiance to the country of their adoption. Problem of Disunion Overcome "A now problem of disunion, moro subtlo, moro difficult to meet With direct checkmate and convic tion than tho old problem which cul minated in the Civil war has engaged and disturbed our thought and wo have realized that wo must dnvnt.n n now energy and ardor to binding to gether the forces which will produce , a new union, a union of spirits tri umphant over every alien force and sympathy. "This very anxiety has quickened tho pulse of every loyal and devoted American, whether his birthplace was on this side of the water or on the other. "AN new and wholesome forco hnB arisen of thoughtful, watchfu1, ener getic patriotism and I venture to think that tho nation is better pre pared on that account to face tho problem of a now day. Unselfish and Impartial "Fortunately, America can play her part unselfishly and impartially because se covets nothing other na tions have, unless it be tholr skill and knowledgo in some of the undertak ings of science and industry, and these she can obtain by the mere careful use of the extraordinary ca pacity of hor people. "Sho has nothing she wishes to take away from other nations and is better prepared than ever before to make rich contributions to tho de velopment of other nations. Her Opportunity at Hand "Tho opportunity is at hand. Her principles aro suited to tho freedom of mankind and the peace of the world. "She oan now afford an example of energy in justice as well as in en thusiasm, in honorable competition, in thoughtful adaptation of her re sources to tho needs of the world which may help to inaugurate a new era in tho intercourse and friendly independence of the peoples of the world. "That she will rise to this great opportunity no man who knows her can doubt." TIIK ADAMSON 8-HOUR BILL Tho Adamson bill, introduced in congress to avert a threatened rail road strike, passed the house of rep resentatives September 1 by a vote of 230 to 5G, and passed the senate September 2 by a vote of 43 to 28. President Wilson signed the bill September 4. The text of the meas uro follows: Bo it enacted by the senate and houso of representatives of the United States of America, in congress in congress assembled: Section 1. That beginning Decem ber 1, 1916, eight hours shall in con tracts for labor and service be deemed a day's work and tlfe meas ure or standard of a day's work for tho purpose of reckoning the com pensation for service of all employ ees who are now 6r may hereafter bo omployed by any railroad which is subject to tho provisions of the act of February 1, 1887, "An act to reg ulate commerce," as amended, and who aro now or may hereafter be actually engaged in any capacity in the operation of trains used for the transportation of persons or property on railroads, except railroads in dependently owned and operated not exceeding 100 miles in length, elec tric street railroads and electric in torurban railroads, from any state or territory of the United States or tho District or Columbia, to any other state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or from oho place in a territory to another place in the same territory, or from any place in the United States to an adjacent foreign country, or from any place in the United States through a loreign country to any other place in the United States; provided that the abovo exceptions shall not apply to railroads less than 100 miles in length whoso principal business is leasing or furnishing terminal or transfer facilities to other railroads, or are themselves engaged in trans fers of freight between railroads or between railroads and industrial plants. Section 2. That tli Pri,iQf shall appoint a commission of three, which shall observe the operation and effects of the institution of the 8-hour standard work day as abovo defined and tho conditions affecting tho relations between such common carriers and employees dur ing a period of not less than six months nor moro than nine months in the discretion of the commission' and within thirty days thereafter buuu uummission snail report its findings to the President and con gress; that each member of the commission created under tho pro visions of this act shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by the President. The sum of $25,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary be, and hereby is, appropriated out HE'S TWO YEARS OLD Satterfiold in the New York Call. of any money in the United States treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the necessary and proper expenses incurred in connection with the work of such commission, Including sal aries, per diem, traveling expenses of members and employees and rent, furniture, office fixtures and sup plies, books, salaries and other necessary expenses, the same to be approved by the chairman of said commission and audited by the prop er accounting officers of the treasury. Section. 3. That pending the re port of the commission, herein pro vided for, and for a period of thirty days thereafter, the compensation of railway employees subject to this act for a standard 8-hour work day shall not be reduced below the present standard day's 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 rate for such standard 8-hoUr work day. Section 4. That any person vio lating any provision of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor arid upon conviction shall be fined not less than $100 and not more than $1,000, or imprisoned not to exceed one year, or both. ROUMANIA ENTERS WORLD WAR The most important developments of the European war situation dur ing the month are the declaration of war by Roumania against Austria on August 28, and by Italy against Ger many on August 27. Roumania is the fourteenth nation to enter the war: A Paris cablegram, dated August 30, says: "La Liberte has received from Geneva a summary of the Rou manian declaration of war, as tele graphed from Vienna. It ia a long document, setting forth Roumania's grievances. The persecution of Rou manians by Austro-Hungarian offi cials is alleged, and it is charged that agreements which existed be tween Roumania and the former members of the Triple Alliance have been broken in letter and spirit from tho time Germany and Austria en tered the war. "Italy, the declaration says, was obliged to detach herself from Aus tria and Germany In conclusion, the communication sets forth as follows the motives in compelling Roumania to enter the war: "1. The Roumanian' population in Austrian, territories is exposed to tho hazards of war .and of invasion. "2. Rumania believes that, by in terfering, she. can shorten the war. "3. Roumania places herself on the side of those powers which she believes can assist her most efficaci ously in realizing her national ideal." A Berlin cablegram, dated August 27, says: The following official an nouncement was made here today: "The Italian government has de clared, through the Swiss govern ment, that it considers itself, from August 28, at war with Germany." FOREGONE CONCLUSION Teacher "If a farmer sold 1,470 bushels of wheat at $1.17 a bushel, what would he get?" Boy "An automobile." Cincin nati Enquirer. 1720 Colorado Boulevard Denver, Colo. Subscribers' Jfmwilsing Dcpr. This department is for the benefit of Commonor subscribers, and a special rate of six cents a word per insertion the lowest rate has been mado for them. Address all communications to The Commoner, Lincoln, Nebraska. CSLR SHORTHAND lesson free. - Rettig, Keytesville, Mo. TREE 320 acre Montana homesteads. Circular free. Information Bureau 312, Boulder Mont. 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