The morning call., 1894-11-13


society and all its forces shall protect them In
their resulting contentious.
| The rapid concentration of power and wealth
under stimulating legislative conditions 10 per
sons, corporations and monopolies has greatly
changed the business and industrial situation.
Our railroads were constructed upon the theory
that their competition would amply protect
shippers as TO rates and employees as to wages
and other conditions. Combination has largely
destroyed this theory and has seriously dis
turbed the natural working of the laws Of sup
ply and demand which in theory are based
upon competition for labor between those who
demand II as well as among those who supply
IL. For Instance, as we have shown, there Is
no longer any competitive demand among the
twenty-four railroads at Chicago for switch
men. They have ceased competing with each
other; they are no longer twenty-four separate
and competing employers, they are virtually
one.
However men may differ about the propriety
and legality of labor unions. we must all recog-
nze the fact that we hav~ them with US to stay
and TO grow more numerous and powerful. Is
it not wise to fully recognize them by law, TO
admit their necessity as labor guides and pro-
tectors TO conserve their usefulness increase
their responsibility and prevent their folles
and aggressions by comforting upon them the
privileges enjoyed by corporations. with like
proper restrictions and regulations? The
growth of corporate power and wealth has
been the marvel OF the past fifty years. COrpo-
rations have undoubtedly benefited the coun-
try and brought its resources to our doors. IL
will not be surprising If the marvel Of The next
fifty years be the advancement OF labor TO po-
sltion OF like power and responsibility. We
have heretofore encouraged the one and COM
paratiyely neglected he other. Does not wis
dom demand that each be encouraged 10 pros
per legtimately and TO grow into harmonious
relations OF equal standing and responsibility
before The law? This involves nothing hostile
to the true interests and rights of either.
Recommendations of specific remedies
are premature. Such a problem, for in-
stance. as universal Government ownership
of railroads is TOO vast, manysided and far
away, If attempted, to be considered as an
immediate practical remedy. 1t belongs to the
sOcalstlc group of public questions where
Government ownership is advocated of
mOnOpolies such as teegraphS, telephones
express companies. and municipal ownership
of waterworks, gas and Ell cUic lighting and
street railways. These questions are pressing
more urgently as time goes on. They need 10
be well studied in every aspect by every citi-
zen. Should continued combinations and con-
solicitations result in half dozen or less owner
ships Of our railroads within few years, as IL
is by no means unlikely, The question OF Gov
eminent ownership would be forced TO the
front and we need 10 be ready TO dispose OF it
inteigently. We need 10 fear everything re-
evolutionary and wrong but We need fear moth
ing that any nation can successfully attempt In
directions made necessary by changed econo-
mic or industrial conditions. Other nations,
under other conditions, own and operate tele-
graphs and railroads with varying results.
Whether il Is practicable for this nation TO do
so successfully, wheu it becomes necessary TO
save an investment or when the people deter
mir ir chail ha 10
question which cannot be answered fully ex-
cept by actual experiment. We ought now to
inaugurate permanent system of investiga-
lion into the relations between railroads and
employees, IN order TO be prepared 10 deal with
them 10 diligently, and that we may conseTva-
lively adopt such remedies as are sustained by
public opinion for defects or wrongs that may
from time 10 time APP ear.
The question of what shall be done is there
fore one of eXpedency and not of power.
When railroads acted as judge and jury in
passing upon the complaints of shippers they
demanded aud the Congress granted Govern.
ment tribunal where shippers and railroads
could meet on equal terms and have the law
adjust their differences. In view of the Chi
cago strike and Its suggested dangers the D. O.
pie have the same right to provide Govern
ment commission TO Investigate and report on
differences between railroads and their en-
ployes. TO the END that Interstate commerce
and public order may be less disturbed by
strikes and boycotts.
When railroad employees secure greater Ger.
tainty of their positions and of the right 10 pro-
motion and compensation for injury it will
be time enough 10 consider such strict regula-
tion for them as can now Justly apply TO
railroads whose rights are protected by laws
and guarded by all the advantages OF greater
resources and more concentrated control.
The commission contends that law
should make it obligatory upon some pub
lie tribunal to intervene by means OF in-
vestigatiOn and Cancellation and so report
whenever a difficulty Of the character of
that occurring during the season at Chi
cago arises. The commission therefore
recommends:
First-That there be a permanent United
States strike commission Of three memb ers
with duties ana uowers of Investigation and
recommendation as to disputes between rail-
roads aud their employees similar to those In
vested In the Interstate Commerce Commission
as TO rates, etc.
td) That, as in the in erstate commerce act
power be given TO the United States courts 10
compel railways to obey the decisions OF the
commission after summary hearing unattended
by technicalities, and that no delays in obeying
the decisions OF the commission be allowed
pending appeals.
Or That whenever the parties to a controversy
in matter within the jurisdiction of the com.
mission are one Or more railroads on one side
and one more national trades unions incor-
porated in chapter SGT of the United States
statutes of 1886. or under State statutes
upon the other. each side shall have the right to
select representative, who shall be appointed
by the President TO serve as temporary men,
Der Of the commission In hearing, adjusting
and determining that particular controversy.
(1his provision would make it for the interest
OF the labor organizations to incorporate under
the law and to make the commission a pra teal
board OF Cancellation 1t would also tend to
create confidence in the commission and to give
to that body in every hearing the benefit of prac-
teal knowledge OF the situation on both sidesl
(c) That during the tendency OF proceed
Ing before the commission inaugurated by ma.
lional trade unions or by an Incorporation of EN-.
ployes, 10 shall be not lawful for the railroads to
discharge employees belonging thereto except
for inefliciency, violation OF law or neglect of
duty; nor for such unions during tendency TO
Order unite, aid or abet strikers or boycotts
against the railways complained OF, nor for
period of six months after decision for such
railroads TO discharge any such employees in
whose places others shall be employed, except
for the causes aforesaid; nor for any such EN-.
ployes during a like period 10 quit the service
without giving thirty days written notice OF In
tention 10 do so. nor for any such union
or incorporation TO order, counsel or
advise otherwise. (20 That chapter SCI
of the United States statutes OF