Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-12-28

Moons session OF the Amsrican
Economic Association was occupied
with the reading and discussion Of
paper on the Chicago strike
Of last July by Colonel Carroll d.
Wright Uaited States Commissioner Of
Labor. An abstract OF the paper fol-
lows:
The great strike which occurred
at Chicago 10 June aud July last,
and which was In reality
combination of strike aud boy
colt, Was an epOchal event because 1t
emphasized certain principles which
are now recognized as essential in the
government, manaRementand operation
Of railroads. II was also 80 for other
reasons.
II demonstrated to the satisfaction Of
the public at large the right AMI the
po=er Of the Federal Government to
send troops into State for the purpose
OF protecting Federal interests, whether
that protection was or was not asked for
by the State Government IL has en-
phasized the power Of the Federal Gov
comment 70 protect the great in-
tersstS 10 the transportation Of
nails. IL is further spOchal in
its nature and Influence because
IL has shown the power of the courts in
the expansion OF the privilege Of iC-
junction, which was twin power to
that Of mandamus; it has shown that
the civil courts have asserted the right
TO define what is crime under certain
circumstances, 10 execute their own
views by legal processes, TO interpret
their own acts, and 10 impose sentence.
IL is epOeh-making, again, because 10
il has crystallzed public sentiment
upon a question which has often been
argued, that relating to the Quasi-pub-
lie character of railroad employees.
The chief reason, however, 20 my
own mind why the Chicago strike is an
gpoch-making event lies 10 the fact
that IL constitutes subordinate ele-
ment IN q revolution which is quietly
taxing place IN this country. Its not
necessary, In this presence, for
me to say that approach
this part of my subject
from 3 standpoint entirely opposed 10
state socialism as system. l have no
faith in it, nor ed l assert that l sp-
prOach il from pOint OF view a0tsgO-
nistic TO what is known as compulsory
arbitration. L approach IL, further,
from the point OF view that neither the
Federal nor State governments can or
ought TO be allowed, as a rule, TO regu-
late rates Of wages or prices Of CON-
modlties-
Notwithstanding these professions, l
am ready 10 re-eXamine these PROPOSE
lions TO which / AN opposed and, II ex-
pedient, 20 apply some OF the features
involved in each Of them. Let Us, there
fore, consider In what respect the Chi
cago strike becomes SuOOrd nate
element In a revolution which is now
going on.
In 1887 the congress, at the demand
of the shippers of the country and in
their interest as il was supposed, MADE
the declaration that all charges made
for any service rendered or 10 be render
ed 10 the transportation OF passengers
or property on Interstate railroads, or
in connection herewith, or for the re-
ceiving, delivering, storage or handling
of such property, should be reasonable
aud just, and every unjust and unrea-
sOnable charge for such service
was prohibited and declared
10 be unlawful. This declaration has
become 20 all lntents and purposes q
part OF the Constitution OF the United
States. because IL mas been sustained
by the courts But this declaration
was emDhatcally State socialism, it
was emphatically compulsory arbitra-
tion, il was en- phaticaily a law regu-
lating the prices OF commodities
through the price Of service. 1t was
the old principle by which States regu-
lated pixies aud tolls, but here
carried into new form with new ma
chinery. IL was properly sustained by
the courts. What is the consequence Of
this as another step Ia the silent revOlu-
tiOn which is taking place? There is
now pending in Congress q measure
which is State socialism pure aud sim
pie. refer 10 the pooling bill now pend
ing in the Senate. cite il only 10 show
the second phase OF the silent revolution
TO which 1 referred. This pending leg
islatiOn is demanded at the instance Of
the shippers aud the railroads of the
country, and its passage is being aided
by a powerful lobby In their service.
The railroaders base their advocacy Of
the bill on the claim that Ii will be for
the interest OF the shippers TO have
such law. The bill provides for q
great trust, with the government Of the
United States as It's trustee. When
the first bill TO regulate commerce
was passed. the great and powerful
wedge Of State socialism was driven
one-euarter OF its length into the tim
Der OF conservative government, Of
that government which means democ-
raey. The pending bill, the moment IL
becomes a law, will drive the wedge
thres-Quartsrs Of its length into the
timber. There will then be needed but
one more blow TO drive the wedge
home, and that blow will come at the
instance Of business and not OF labor
entire government control Of all the
railroads Of the country instead OF par
tial control under the laws now existing
or proposed.
This blow will be struck In the mcst
seductive way. IL will come thrOughla
demand that the government shall taRR
barge Of the roads, not purchase thenk
shall take charge OF the roads andy
of proceeds Of the transporta-
p guarantees TO the existing