The record-union., 1894-12-28
LABOR COMMISSIONER WRIGHT.


He Delivers all Address Before the
American Economic Association,
New YORK, Dec. 27.-Hon. Carroll D.
Wright, Commissioner OF Labor, spoke
before the American Economic Associa-
ton to-day. In speaking of the Chicago
strike he said it was an epochal event be-
cause It emphasized certain principles.
which are now to be recognized as essen
tial in the government, management and
operation of railroads. 1t demonstrated
to the satisfaction of the public the rig ht
and power OF the Federal Government to
send troops into State for the purpose of
protecting Federal interests, whether
that protection was or was not asked for
by the State Government.
The chief reason, however. for which h
the strike was an epoch-making event."
he said, lis the fact that it constitutes a
subordinate element in revolution
which is quietly taking place in this
country. lie did not believe that either
the Federal or State Government can or
ought to be allowed, as a rule, to regulate
rates OF wages or prices of commodities
He had no faith in socialism. In 1887
Congress, at the demand of the shippers
of the country, made declaration that
all charges made for any service rendered
or to be rendered in the transportation of
passengers or property on interstate rail-
roads, or IN connecting Herewith, should
be just, and every unjust and unreason-
able charge for such service was prohib-
tied and declared 10 be unlawful This
declaration has been sustained by the
courts. But this declaration" he said,
was emphatlcally State socialism; it was
emphatlcally compulsory arbitration: il
was emphatically law regulating the
prices OF commodities through the price
OF services. What is the consequences
OF this as another step in the silent
revolution which is taking place? There
is now pending in Congress measu re
which IS State socialism. pure and SIM
pie. lie referred, he said, to the pooling
bill. This pending legislation, MIR.
Wright declared, IS demanded at the in
stance OF the shippers and the railroads
OF the country and It's passage is being
aided by powerful lobby in their sery-
Ice. Tne bill sprovides for a great trust
and the Government of the United States
as trustee. When the first bill to regulate
commerce was passed, the great and
powerful wedge of State socialism was
driven one-quarter OF its length into the
timber OF conservative government. of
that government which means democ-
racy. The pending bill, the moment it
becomes law, will drive the wedpe
three-quarters of its length into the tim
Der. There will then be needed but one
e,
that blow will come at the instance of
business. and not of labor-entire Gov
ernment control of all the railroads OF the
country, instead OF partial control under
the laws now existing.
This blow will be struck in the most
seductive way. 1t will come through a
demand that the Government shall lake
charge OF the roads. not purchase them.
and out OF the proceeds of the Transports
ton business guarantee to the existing
stockholders of the roads small but rea.
sonabie rate of dividend. Under such a
seductive movement the stockholders
conservative men In this hall now will
vote for the striking of the blow. All
this, as have said, viii be demand in
the interest Of rail ,oads aud shippers.
and not in the labor lnvolved In carryinr
on the work of transportation, as the de-
mand Of to-day for the enactment OF the
pooling bill is alleged to be largely in the
interest OF the shippers and Of the public
welfare"