The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-12-28
EPOCH MIXING Event.
Commissioner Of Labor Carol, D. Wright
AnalYzes the Strike.

NhdlykeS tne oulke,
New York, Dec. 27.-The following is
an abstract of an address delivered by
Carroll ID. Wright before the American
Economic association to-day: "The
great strike which occurred at Chicago
In June and July last. which was In re-
ality combination OF strike and boy
colt, was an epochal event. because II
emphasized certain principles which are
now recognized as essential In the gov
ernment, management and operation OF
railroads. 1t demonstrated to the sat
isfaction of the public at large the right
and power OF the federal government
to send troops into a state for the pur-
pose of protecting federal interests,
whether that protection was or was not
asked for by the state government. 1t
has emphasized the power of the fed
eral government to protect Its great in
terest In the transportation of mails.
II Is further epochal In its nature and
influence because IL has shown the
power of the courts in the expansion OF
the privilege of injunction. which was
twin power to that mandamus; IL has
shown that the civil courts have as
serted the right to define what Is crime
under certain circumstances. to execute
their own views by local processes. to
interpret their own acts and To impose
sentence.
"It is epoch making. again. because
II has crystalliZed public sentiment
upon a question which has often been
argued-that relating TO the quasl-pub-
lie character of railroad employees. The
chief reason, however in my mind, for
which the Chicago strike Is an epoch
making event. lies In the fact that II
constitutes "A subordinate element I'm a
revolution which Is quietly taking place
In this country. il is not necessary In
this presence, for me to say that | APP
proach this part of my subject from
standpoint entirely opposed TO social
ism as n system. / have no faith in
IT, Nor need | assert that / approach
from point OF view antagonistic To
what is known as compulsory drbitra-
tion. | approach II from the point of
view that neither the federal nor state
governments can or ought 10 be al
lowed, as a rule, to regulate rates of
wages or prices of commodities.
Notwithstanding these professions,
am ready to re-examine these propo-
sitions TO which | am opposed and, II
expedient, to apply some OF the features
involved in each OF them. Let is,
therefore. consider in what respect the
Chicago strike became a subordinate
element I'm a revolution which Is now
going on. In 1887 the congress, at the
demand of the shippers of the country,
made the declaration that all charges
made for any service rendered or to be
rendered In the transportation OF pas
sengers or property on interstate rail-
roads. or In connection herewith,
should be reasonable and just, and
every unjust charge was declared TO be
unlawful.
The declaration was emphatlcally
state socialism: II was emphatically
compulsory arbitration; II was the old
principle by which states regulated
pixies and tolls, but here carried In n
new form with new machinery What
is the consequence of this as another
step in the silent revolution which is
taking place? There Is now pending IN
congress measure which is state so
cIalism pure and simple. ] refer TO the
pooling bill now pending In the senate,
This pending legislation Is demanded
at the Instance Of the shippers and the
railroads Of the country, and ITS pas
sage Is being aided by powerful lobby
i'm their service. The bill provides for
a great trust. with the government as
trustee, The pending bill. the moment
Il becomes law. Will drive the wedge
three-quarters of it's length INTO inc
timber. There will then be need OF but
ono more blow 10 drive the wedge
home and the blow will come at the In
stance of business, and not of labor
entire government control of all the
railroads of the country, instead OF par
tiai control under the laws now exist
ing or proposed, ..
This blow will be struck In the most
seductive way. II VIII come through a
demand that the government shall take
charge OF the roads. not purchase them,
and out OF the proceeds OF the trhhs-
nortatIon business guarantee to the eN-
iyfInp stockholders OF the roads small,
hut reasonable. dividends, Under such
n seductive movement the stockholders
Themselves will vote FOR the striking OF
the blow"