The commission was authorized by President
Woodrow Wilson on January 18, 1918 to examine the wages and
working time of railroad employees. In February 1918 the commission was petitioned by railroad workers to pay
time and a half for work over an
eight-hour day. Speaking on behalf of employers was
E.F. Potter, assistant to the general manager of the
Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad. The commission created the Board Of Railroad Wages And Working Conditions on May 25, 1918 to hear complaints about wages and safety. The board was dissolved on April 1, 1920. ==Commissioners==