The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1894-11-16

LABOR COMMISSION.
The Strike Report Finally submitted-The
Commissioners Lean Somewhat Toward
the Strikers.
CHICAGO, Nov lathe United States
government report on the great rail-
way strike in connection with the Pull
man trouble was made public yester-
day. The report, which is signed by
the federal labor commissioner, Carroll
D. Wright, and his fellow investiga-
tors, John D. Herman, of New York,
and Nicholas B. Worthington, of nli-
nois, is addressed to President Cleve-
land.
The repor. says the capitalization of
the twenty -four railroads directly rep
resented in the General Managers IS
ISOLATION was So, los, $50 ,617. The num-
Der of employees was 221 ,O97. Employees
upon association roads were treated as
under subjugation to the General Man
ayers association, and the report, at
ter detailing the action of the associa-
ton in establishing agencies and en-
ploying men, adds:
This was the first time when men upon each
line were brought sharply face to face with the
fact that in questions as to wages. rules. etc.,
each line was supported by twenty-four COM
bined railroads. 1t was an incident of the
General Managers association to assist
each road in case Of trouble.
The association is an illustration Of the per-
slstent and shrewdly disguised plan Of corpor-
atoms to overreach their limitations and to
Indiroctlv RIGHTS
templated in their charters and not obtainable
from the people Of their legislatures.
The report then describes the town
of Pullman and how it was conducted.
AS to the great railroad strike proper,
the report says:
1t is apparent that the readiness to strike
alphabetically was promoted by the dis
turbed and apprehensive condition Of railroad
employees, resulting from wage reductions on
different lines, blacklisting. etc., AMI from the
recent growth Of the General Managers aSso-
citation, which seemed to them o menace.
Farther on the report says:
1t is seriously questioned, and with much
force, whether courts have jurisdiction to en-
join citizens from "persuading each other in
industrial or other matters OF common inter-
est. However, it is generally recognized among
good citizens that mandate OF a court Is to be
obeyed until it is modified and corrected by the
court that issued it.
The committee upholds the president
for sending United States troops.
The report adds, however:
Many impartial observers are reaching the
view that much Of the real responsibility for
these disorders rests with the people them
selves and with the government for not ade-
Quately controlling monopolies and corpora
lions, and for failing reasonably to protect the
rights Of labor and redress it's wrongs. No one
asserts that laws can completely remedy con-
tentionS as to wages ETC., but many do insist
that something substantial can be accom-
plished in this direction If attempted honestly,
reasonably and in good faith.
However men may differ about the propriety
and legality Of labor unions. we must all recog-
niZe the fact that we have 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 follies
and aggreSSions by comforting upon them the
privileges enjoyed by corporations, with like
proper restrictions and regulations?
We ought now to inauyurate a permanent
system of investigation into the relations be-
tween railroads and employees in order to pre-
pare to deal with them intelligently, 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.
When railway employees secure greater GER
tainty Of their positions and of the right to
promotion, compensation for injury, etc., it
will be time enough to consider such strict
regulation for them as we can now justly ap-
ply to railroads. whose rights are protected by
laws and guarded by all the advantages of
greater resources and more concentrated con-
troll
The commission contends that law should
make it obligatory upon some public tribunal
promptly to intervene by means Of investiga-
ton and Cancellation and to report whenever a
difficulty Of the character Of that occurring
during the past season at Chicago arises.
The commission therefore, recommends:
First-O. That there be a permanent Unit
ed States strike commission Of three members,
with duties and powers OF investigation and
make recommendation as to disputes between
railways and their employees. similar to those
vested in the interstate commerce commission
as to rates. etc.
A-That. as in the interstate commerce act,
power being given to the United States courts
to compel railways to obey the decisions Of the
commission after summary hearing unattend-
ed by technicalities and that no delays in
obeying the decisions Of the commission be al
lowed pending appeals.
B-That whenever the party to o controversy
in matter within the Jurisdiction Of the COM
mission are one or more railroads on one side,
and one or more national trade unions. incor-
porated under chapter 567 Of the United States
statutes OF 1856, or under state statutes, upon
the other, each side shall have the right to Sc
by the president to serve as a temporary men,
Der of the commission in hearing adjusting
and determining that particular controversy.
(This provision would make it for the inter-
est of labor organizations to incorpor ate under
the law aad to make the commission practical
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 practical knowledge of the situation on both
sideS.)
ing before the commission inaugurated by ma
employees. it shall not be lawful for the rail-
to except for ineflciency, violation of law
or neglect of duty: nor for such unions
during such tendency to order, unite in
or aid or abct strikes or boycotts against
the railways complained of: nor, for period
of six months after a decision. for such rail-
roads to discharge any such employees in whose
places others shall be employed, except for the
causes aforesaid: nor for any such employees
during a like period to quit the service without
giving thirty days written notice Of intention
to do So nor for any such union or incorpora-
ton to order, counsel or advise otherwise.
The commission further recommends
that the states take action giving the
board of arbitration more power; that
contracts requiring men not to form
labor organizations as condition of
employment be made illegal; employers
are urged to recognize labor organiza-
tions in order that each should be in
L.