The herald., 1894-11-13

they are virtually one.
HERE TO STAY.
However men may differ about tn
proprety and legality OF labor unions
we must all recognize the fact that W,
have them with us to stay, and to grow
more numerous and powerful. Is it no
wise to fully recognize them by law; t
admit their necessity as labor guiders
and protectors; to conserve their use
fuiness, increase their responsibility
and prevent their follies and aggressions
by conferring upon them the privileget
enjoyed by corporations, with like
proper restrictions and regulations?
ADVANCEMENT OF LABOR.
The growth OF corporate power and
wealth has bsen the marvel of the past
50years. Corporations have undoubt-
edly benefited the country and brought
its resources to our doors. 1t will not
be surprising if the marvel of the next
90 years be the advancement of labor to
a position OF like power and RESPONSE
bility. We have heretofore encouraged
the one and comparatively neglected
the other. Does not wisdom demand
that each be encouraged to prosper
legitlmetely and to grow into harmoni-
ous relations OF equal standing and re.
sponsibllity before the law? This in
wolves nothing hostile to the true inter-
ests and rights OF either.
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP.
The commission deems recommends
tions of specific remedies premature.
Such problem, for instance, 90 universal
government ownership OF railroads ia
too vast, msny-sided and far away if at.
tempted to be considered as an immedi-
ate practical remedy. 1t belongs to the
socialistic group of public questions
where government ownership is advo-
Gated OF monopolies, such as telegraphs,
telephones, express companies and
municipal ownership OF water works,
! gas and electric light and street rail-
ways. These questions are pressing
more urgently as time goes on. They
need to be we'll studied in every aspect
by every citizen.
Should continued combinations and
cancellations result in half dozen or
less ownershipB of our railroads within
few yeare, as is by no means unlikely,
the question OF government ownership
would be forced to the front, and We
need to be ready TO dispose OF it
intelligently. We need to lear every
thing revolutionary and wrong, but we
need fear nothing that any nation can
successfully attempt in directions made
necessary by changing economic or in
dustrial conditions. Other nations un-
der their conditions own and operate
telegraphs and railways with varying
results. Whether it is practicable for
this nation to do so successfully when
it becomes necessary to save an invest
ment. or when the people determine it
shall be done, is an open and serious
question which cannot bs answered fully
except by actual experiment. We ought
to inaugurate permanent system OF
investigation into the relations between
railways and employees, in order to be
prepared to deal with them intelligent
ly. and that we may conservatively
adopt such remedies as are sustained by
public opinion for defects or wrongs that
may from time to time appear.
QUESTION OF EXPEDIENCY.
The question of what shall be done
therefore is one of expediency and not
of power. When railroads acted as
judge and jury in passing upon the
complaints of shippers, they demanded
and the congress granted government
tribunal where shippers and railroads
could meet on equal terms and have the
law adjust their differences. In view of
the Chicago strike and its suggested
dangers, the people have the same right
to provide government commission to
investigate and report ON difference be-
tween railroads and their employees, to
the end that interstate commerce and
public order may be less disturbed by
strikes and boycotts.
When railroad employees secure
greater certainty of their positions and
Oi the right to promotion, com pensation
lor injury, etc., it will be time enough
to consider such strict regulation for
them as we can now justly apply to rail-
roads whose rights are protected by
laws and guarded by all the advantages
of greater resources and more Concen-
trated control.
COMPULSORY ARBITRATION.
The commission contends that the
law should make it obligatory upon
some public tribunal to intervene by
means of investigation and conciliation
and TO report whenever a difficulty of
the character of that occurring during
the season at Chicago arises. The com.
mission, therefore. recommends:
First-That there be a permanent
United States strike commission OF three
members, with the duties and powers of
investigation and recommendation as to
disputes between railways and their
employees, similar to those invested in
the interstate commerce commission as
to rates, etc.
(A)-That, ss in the Interstate COM
nlerce act, power be given to the United
States to compel railways to obey de-
cisions of the commission after sum-
mary hearing, unattended by techni-
caliiies, and that no delays in obeying
the decisions of the commission be al-
lowed pending appeals.
(B) That whenever the parties to a
controversy in matter within the juria.
dictlon OF the commission are one or
more railroads on one side and one or
more national trades unions incorporated
under chapter 567 OF the United States
statutes of 1885-87, or under state stat
utss, upon the other, each side shall have
the right to select a representative, who
shall be appointed by the president to
serve as a temporary member of the
com mission, in hearing, adjusting and
determining that particular controversy.
This provision would make it for the
interest Of labor organizations to incor-
porate under the law and to make the
commission practical board of concii-
alton. 1t would also tend to create cons
fdence in the commission and give to
that bo6y in every hearing the benefit OF