The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-07-11


greater precaution in the conduct of rail-
road business 1t would be but another
step to enact laws for the protection OF
railroad property, with such penalties as
to make interference with interstate
com Inerce a very dangerous proceeding.
/ think congress has been very derelict
in its duty concerning various phases of
interstate commerce, and perhaps the
gravity of the present situation may
bring our representative to a better
sense of their duties in this respect
DIR. s. E SheldOn-~Ihe causes leading
up to the present dissatisfaction among
the laboring classes dates back to the
civil war and the extravagant habits Of
50 many Of our people and the inflated
condition OF the currency. When reac-
ton came, it was difficult for our people
to accommodate themselves to the rev
condition and live within their usual in
come. The troubles can be avoided:
First, by all living within their incomes;
second, by not listening to irresponsible
and unwise leaders: third, by limiting
immigration to this country to only such
as are willing to become good law abid-
ing citizens and who are able to support
themselves-let Americans rule America;
fourth, they must understand that labor
like any other commodity is worth just
what it will bring in the market and
must be governed by the same laws.
Then there is another thing-the men are
too prone to follow the lead of men like
Debs who have been unable to control
themselves. but " no are always ready to
attempt TO control any other body of men.
If we could by some means suppress the
agitatOr we would have much less trou-
bIe"
ID. A. CIements-"The only way to set
tie these troubles is at the ballot box.
can not possibly see any other way out
Of it,
r B. Welch-"I confess that 1 have
no satisfactory solution to offer. A few
things are quite apparent First: both
labor and capital Of right ought to be
free-must be free; second: Legislation
ought to punish the abuse Of power on
the part Of both capital and labor; third:
the present condition Of affairs is a
menace to every industry. / have little
faith IN the much talked plan Of arbi-
tratlOn- It reminds me of Sam Weller's
suggestion of an alibi 1t will work
when there is something to arbitrate.
but until there is some mutually of obi
cation between the parties there is moth
ing to arbitrate. There is nothing to
arbitrate when an employe, not under
contract, wishes to quit and his employer
wishes him to continue; nor is there
anything TO arbitrate when the EN-
plOye, not under contract, wishes to con- |
tinue at raise of wages and the employer !
does not desire il.
''The general public has an interest in |
certainty and safety Of trans portation |
conditions of the devastated industry. /
Whether the passage Of a law by con /
gress permitting the organization Of 1
quasi military service for railroads into
which service men may enlist for term
OF years after passing an examination (
aud over which the government would /
exercise a partial control would solve
the problem, remains to be tested"
j. @. Samuelson=.sArbi Of the
ces between the organizations
+el-~.
of the state have long been
trying n secure 1t should be both state
and Onal and if we had that you
would hear no more Of these troubles"
X. s Thompson, Of Thompson Bros
furniture dealers-ssThe only way know
is arbitration. We will nave to come to
that sooner or later"
w. s. Furman, shoe nerchant-"My
idea Is that the best way out Of these
troubles is by arbitration. It might be
either national or state"
Ex-Gov Thomas A. Osborn-"Arbitra-
ton seems to be the only remedy sug-
gested- I doubt if that could be made
effective and it could not be
made to apply to all the employed, but
the large industries and the transporta-
ton lines could be brought within its
To be effective. however. it
must be enacted into law in the various
states of the union. It can be of no
avail unless it has the force of law be-
hind it,
E. B. Guild-"There should be a re-
sort to arbitration first and there should
be courts of adjudication for such pur-
poses. When the labOring men in law
ess masses or through their trades I'M
ons commit violence they cut of the
limb they stand on, and it kills all incen-
i've Of capital to make Investment for
manufacturing of any kind"
Ex-J ustice d. N. Valentine:-'sIf
we're to live thousand years / would
expect to see labor troubles that long.
The millennium will not come, it can not
:Ome and it ought not to come for if it
lid individual liberty would be destroy
ID and that is what we prize SO highly
n our nation"
Trust Company of America:-"The diff
iculty in the Of the success of the strike
; its injustice-hu rting people who are
lot res pOnsible for the trouble and who !
re not able to remedy it. No strike or
my other movement founded on injus-
ice will ever permanently succeed I
believe that commissioners of arbitra- !
ion by the United States and several
tates to cover cases within their sew
raj Jurisdictions is the only sure and
permanent way Of meeting the difficult
les between capital and labor"
Geo. W. Crane='sI believe in arbitra-
ion for everything. I am q union man.
believe in unions for self protection
nd Improvement I hope that the gov
Ian Of arbitration and then stand BY the
FILTRATION IN the protection of property
> well as the protection Of the lab0ring
IAN in his rights"
Senator W. E. Sterne-"I am in favor
+ state board OF arbitration, and will I
ote for it in the senate"
Attention -. OF P