The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-07-16
DRASTIC REFORMS.
DIR. w. w. Case Delivers a Dis
course on LabOrS' Rights.


A large congregation paid close attention
! to DR.. Case last evening while he advo-
Gated drastic legislative measures as pre-
ventive against the constant and ever
increasing discomfort among the laboring
classes, and the recurrence of demoralizing
striKes in the various trades.
Having told the NEUROLOGICAL story of
the infant Hercules crushing the two
snakes sent against him by Juno, DR.. Case
likened boycotts and strikes to the
venomous serpents. and maintained that
if the American nation is TO live. these TWO
dangers to national prosperity must be
Obviated by wise legislation.
81 knew George Pullman as a boy," re-
marked the reverend gentleman. "and |
believe had be stood alone he would have
arbiUrated the differences between himself
and his work people. About twenty roads
stood in with him, and the extent of power
as represented by the united capital was
so great as TO become direct menace to
| the country. While believing Pullman to
be farm inded man, | must say that to
me it appears altogether wrong that during
fair weather he should have accumulated
| $50, 900. and now, under heavy stress,
he should throw the entire burden of loss
upon his woTkmen. 1t may not appear
businesSlike, bat l think if, in iding over
100000 it might have been regarded as
unbusinesslike, but it would have been
right and honest.
The possession of wealth has tendency
to make man selfish and live for himself.
Christ was not on the side of the rich, and
his structures against usury were con-
demnatory of modern methods. The
underlying evil to-day is the inordinate
extravaganza of the wealthy, which is
initiated by every grade of society until
the strife and strain ends in upGeaval.
| Whatever opinions may be held as to the
present strike the fact remains that the
strike is on. What are we to do about il {?
| want to charge the railroads of this
| country with the whole burden of this
| condition among their employees. They
have been eager in their efforts to over
throw one pillar that supports q stable
government-the Sabbath day. They
recognize that while men have conscences
every man has his price. and so by paying
double wages-and when not by induce
ment then by pulsion-thev debauch
the conScielces OF men and destroy one of
the fundamental laws of God. For such
the same punishment ought to be melted
out as to him who brides juror. Sunday
attractions are arranged that the roads,
steamers and streetcars may clear profit
at the eXIense of the public morality.
He that breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall
bite him. a hedge has been broken aud
the serpent is beginning to sting"
After decrylng the influence of the Sun
day newspaper DR.. Case summed up the
situation to-day as being a time of reckless
haste, lust OF gain and ruin of conscience.
To minimize the existing and increasing
evils Dr. Case advocated the folio wing re-
forms. which he defined as "reasonab bic
and sufficient to satisfy the logical mind:
That The United States take possession
of the railroads, telegraphs and other
means Of communication, and that they be
administered under civil service rules.
That the United States take possession of
all mineral resources of the country. Civ
ing the dlscoverer bonus. Public lands
to be declared inalenabie and to be leased
on fixed principles. The earth is the
Lords and ought TO be given only TO those
who can useit. The only just and equitable
system appears to be the single tax. "Ihave
been wears reaching this conclusion" said
DR.. Case, but believe 1t Is absolutely Just.
Twenty men own 10000, 900 acres in this
| country. just imagine their being taxed
The United States to have the exclusive
right to issue money. Congressional legis-
lation on waterways, forests, ETC., 10 stop
the work of destroying the lumber, thereby
changing climate by increased rainfall and
allowing the scope for tOrnad0eS, etc. The
United ates to have the right OF patents,
the inventor To be suitably rewarded.
Taxes to be placed on inheritances and
incomes above certain sum. C0mpul-
sorry education of children below 10. Re-
duction OF hours of labor. NO convict or
pauper labor. The incoming of the off
scourings from other countries to be
stopped. Arbitration between employer
and employed and the decision to be en-
forced. Absolute prohibition of the liquor
traffic.
This bill of rights would seem to be
sufficient to satisfy the most icon oclastic
reformer, but DR.. Case clinched the matter
when, in reply to a written communication,
he said il any one would read the North
American Review on the railroad situation
he would be more than satisfied that these
corporations had committed the most as
toundingy wholesale thefts and made i'm
mense fortunes by defraudng the Govern
ment of the country.