The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-12-27
SILENT REVOLUTION.
It is Going On Right Under
Our Noses
Says Carroll D. Wright and We
Don't Know 1t.
NEARER TO SOCIALISM.
Every Step Taken in Railroad
Legislation
Says Mr.. Wright, Has Been in
That Direction.
OPPOSES SOCIALISM.
Commissioner Wright Does Not
Favor State Socialism
But We Are Going That Way
Rapidly, He Says
Says Mr.. Wright, Has Been in
That Direction.
OPPOSES SOCIALISM.
COMMISSIONS Wright Does Not
Favor State Socialism
But We Are Going That Way
Rapidly, He Says

New YORK, Dec. 27.-At the meeting
of the American Economic association IN
New York this morning. Carroll d.
Wright, United States commissioner of
labor, made the principal address. IN
which he said:
.sThe great strike which occurred at
Chicago in June and July was in reality
a ombination of strike and boycott, and
was an epochal event, because it en-
phasized certain principles which are
now recognized as essential in
the government management and operat-
ion Of railroads. 1t was also for other
reasons 1t demonstrated to the satisfac-
tion of the pubic at large the right and
power of the federal government To send
troops into state for the purpose Of pro-
tecting federal interests whether THAT
pro ection was or was not asked for by
the state government
'It has emphasized the power Of the
federal government to protect its great
interests in the trans pOrtaIiOn OF mails.
1t Is further epochai in its nature aud IN
fluence, because it has shown the power
Of the courts in the expansion Of the
privilege of Injunction which was twin
power to that of mandamus.
The chief reas N however, to my own
mind. why the Chicago strike Is epoch
making. lies in the fact thatit constitutes
a subordinate element in revolution
country 1t Is not necessary in this
presence for me to say that l approach
this part of my subject from stand
point entirely opposed 10 state socialism
as a system. | have no faith in it. NOT
need L assert that / approach it from
point Of view antagonistic to what is
known as compulsory arbitration. l ap-
prOach it. further, from the point of view
that neither the federal or state govern
ments can, or ought to be allowed, as
rule. TO regulate rates Of wages or prices
Of commodities.
~ Notwithstanding these professions, I
am ready to re-exam.ne these PROPOSE
tions to which [ am opposed. and if ex-
pedient, to apply some of the features
involved in each or them Let us, there
fore, consider IN what respect the Chi
cago strike became subordinate ele-
ment in d revolution which is now going
on.
In 1887 congress, at the demand of
shippers of the country and in their in
terest as l. was supposed, made the de
clarati0n that all charges made Tor any
service rendered, or to be rendered in
the transportation o passengers or pro-
perty on interstate railroads. or in con-
nection Herewith, or for the receiving,
delivering, storage or handling Of such
properly, should be reasonable and just,
and every unjust and unreasonable
charge for such service vas prohibited
and declared to be unlawful.
This declaration has become to all in
tents and purposes a part Of the constifu-
tIOn of the United States, because it has
been sustained by the courts But this
declaration was emphatically state so
clalisn, it was emphatIcally law reyu-
latlng the prices Of commodities through
the price of services. 1t was the old
prime pie by which states regulated
pixies aud tolls. but here carried into
new form with new machinery IL WAS
properly sustained by the courts. WHAT
IS the consequence Of this another
step 10 the silent revolution which Is
taking placee
There is now pending in congress a
measure which is state socialism pure
and nple | refer to the pooling bill
now pending in the sena-e. L cite 1t
only To snow the second phase Of the
silent revolution to which / referred.
This pending legislation IS demanded al
the instance Of shippers and the railroads
or the country and lis passage il being
aided BY a powerful lobby in their ser
vices. The railroads base their advocacy
Of the bill on the cam that it will be for
the interests of the shippers to have such
a law. The bill provides for a great
trust with the government Of the United
States as tr3lstee.
'.When the first bill to regulate com
merce was pissed. the greaf and power
ful wedge Of state socialism, was driven
, one-quarter Of its length into the tim Der
of conservative government, Of that gov
ernment which means Democracy. The
pending bill. the moment it becomes a
law will drive the wedge three quarters
Of its length into the tim Der. There will
then be needed but one more blow to
drive the wedge home, and that blow
will come at the instance of business and
not of labor-entire government control
Of all the railroads Of the country instead
of partial control under the laws now ex-
isting. or proposed.
"This blow will be struck in the most
seductive way It will come through
demand that the government shall take
charge Of the roads. not purchase them
shall take charge Of the roads and cut Of
the proceeds of the transportation bust
ness guarantee to the existing stock
ers of the roads a small but reasonable
rate Of dividend Under such seductive
movement the stock knolders themselves