The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1894-11-17
rxx LABOR conx1ss1ons xxroxr.

The labor commission appointed to
investigate the great railway strike
made its report to President Clevelan
the first Of the week. The report con-
dennis the actions Of the General Mama
gers Association in conspiring to reduce
wages. Speaking of the Pullman strike
the report says that while reducing
wages, the company made no reduction
in rents. Its position is that the two
matters are distinct and that none OF the
reasons urged Is justiiying = wage re-
duction by it as an employer can be
considered by the company as landlord.
The company claims it il simply legiti-
nate business to use it, position and
resources to hire in the labor market As
cheai ~ Is possible and at the same
time keep rents up regardless Of what
wages arc paid to its tenants, to avail it.
self to the full extent Of that business
depression and composition in reduction
OF wages, and to disregard those same
conditions IS to rents. No valid reason
is assigned for this reason except simply
that the company had the power and
legal right to do it. The reductions at
Pullman after September l, 1898, were
the result OF Conferences among the
managers. The employees for the first
time knew OF them when they took ef-
feet. The purpose OF the management
was obviously to rest the whole matter
upon cost in its most seriouly crippled
department, excluding from considera-
tion facts as to wages in the repair de-
partment. The demand OF the employees
for the wages OF June. 1898, was clearly
pnjusti6able. The business in Nav,
1894, could not pay the wages Of June,
1898. The reduction was carried to ex-
cess, but the company was hardly more
1t fault theirin than were the employees
in insisting upon the wages OF June,
1893. There was little discussion as to
rents, the company maintaining rents
had nothing to do with wages. The
company had legal right to take this
position, nt, as between man and man,
the demand for rent reduction was fair
and reasonable under all the circum-
stances.'
In speaking Of the deputy marshals
the report says: United States deputy
marshals to the number Of $500 were
selected by and appointed at the request
Of the General Managers Association.
They were armed and paid by the rail
roads and acted in the double capacity
OF railroad employees and United States
officers. While operating railroads they
assumed and exercised unrestricted
United States authority. This ia plac-
ing officers Of the government under
coatrol Of q combination of railroads.
1t is bad precedent that might we'll
lead to serious consequences"
The use Of United states troops is ap-
proved by the commission in the follow
ing language, after quoting section " OF
article ~ of the federal constitution:
united States troops were not sent into
Illinois upon application of legislature
nor OF the executive, sgainst domestic
violence. The president ordered troops
to Chicago. first, to protect federal prop
erty; second, to prevent obstruction in
carrying the mails; third, to prevent in
reference with interstate commerce;
fourth, to inforce DEGREES and mandates
OF the federal courts. He did this un-
der authority OF section 529S OF the re-
gised statutes of the United States, pro-
viding against asss mblages Of persons in
rebellion against authority OF the United
States. Other statutes tend to confer
authority in the same direction"
The report concludes by recommend
ing the appointment of a permanent
United States strike commission Of three
members with duties and powers Of IL
yestigation and recommendation AZ to
disputes between railroads and their
employees.