The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1894-11-29
THE GREAT A. r. u. STRIKE.

ing rather than its professions, az
experienced in its constitution, the
General Managers Association has
no more standing in law than the
old trunk line pool. 1t cannot In
corporate, because railroad charters
do not authorize roads to form
corporations or associations to INK
rates for services and wages, nor to
force their acceptance, nor to battle
with strikers. 1t is a usurpation
of power not granted.
$50 long as railroads are thus
permitted to combine to fix wages,
and for their own protection, it
would be rank injustice to deny the
right of all labor upon railroads to
unite for similar purposes.
"It should be noted that until
the railroads set the example the
great union of railroad employees
was not attempted.
"The refusal of the General
Managers Association to recognize
and deal with such q combination
of labor as the American Railway
Union seems arrogant and absurd
when we consider it's standing
under the law and its assumptions,
and its past and obviously con-
templated future action"
On the subject of the Pullman
Palace Car company, the report
says:
"This is a corporation, organized
in 1867, with a capital ofs1 900, 900.
1t has grown until its present paid
up capital is s36,OOO,OO. Its pros
perity has enabled the company for
over twenty years to pay 2per cent
quarterly dividends, and in adj
dition to lay up surplus of nearly
$25, 100000 of undivided profits.
eff we exclude the esthetic and
sanitary features of Pullman, the
rents there are from 20 to 25 per
cent higher than rents in Chicago
or in surrounding towns for similar
accommodations. The esthetic
features are admired by visitors,
but have little money value to en-
ployes, especially when they lack
bread.
at is apparent that the readiness
to strike alphabetically was pro-
noted by the disturbed and appre-
hensive condition of railroad en-
ployes, resulting from wage re-
auctions ON different lines, black
listing, ETC., and from the recent
growth of the General Managers
Association, which seemed to them
a menace.
Quilted States deputy marshals,
to the number of $500 were select
ed by and appointed at the request
of the General Managers AssOcia-
ton and of it's railroads. They
were armed and paid by the rail
roads, and acted in the double
capacity of railroad employees and
United States officers. While op-
Grating the railroads, they assumed
and exercised unrestricted United
States authority when so ordered
by their employees, or whenever
they regarded it as necessary. They
were not under the direction OF
control of any government official
while exercising authority. This
is placing the officers ofthe govern
ment under the control of a cOmbi-
nation of railroads. It is a bad
precedent, that might well lead to
serious consequences.
"The growth of corporate power
and wealth has been the marvel Of
the past fifty years. Corporations
have undoubtedly benefited the
country and brought its resources
to our doors. It will not be sur
v>r;c;,c, ;f tho roorvoI of tho -ox<
fifty years will be the advancement
of labor to a position of like power
and responsibility. We have here
tofore encouraged the one and COM
paratively neglected the other.
Does not wisdom demand that each
be encouraged to prosper legiti-
mately, and to grow into harmon
ious relations of equal standing and
responsibility before the law?"