New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-02
THE PTBLIC HAS RIGHTS.


This is a Christian country. and In Chicago,
as In other large cities. Christian churches
abound. Yet, men cannot even begin
TO apply the golden rule to Their do
ings without realizing that they have no right
whatever 10 infct suffering or starvation upon
mutltudes of uuoGrcnding persons, in order to
! force their own notions of II controversy IN
which they lave no rights whatever upon the
parties interested. 1t may not be easy to say
what are the limitations beyond which the
power Of a labor organization may not be right
fully used but this at least is certain, that 1t Ia
neither Christian nor humane To use this power
as Il is now being used at the West.
| The business OF government Is TO compel men
TO respect their Obligations TO each other and
| TO society. 1t is not now the question whether
the Pullman Company is popular with railway
| men or the public. For seventeen years 1t has
! been paying dividends of per cent or moro
yearly on capital stock which was less Than
So. 100000 in 1877, with about S2,5O0,0oo debt
The stock was more than doubled before 1Ss'|,
was Increased 20 per cent in that year, about
% per cent in 1883, and again - per cent in
| 1889. and 20 per cent in 1892. and again 20 per
cent in 1893, and is now S3G0O00OO The num-
Der of cars used has about doubled in ten years
and the public for the really valuable service
Il has rendered. Senator sherman now declares
the company an offensive monopoly. compares
1t TO the Sugar Trust, and proposes 10 have ~
charges regulated by law In view Of The amaz-
ing fooshncss and corruption Of the United
States Senate. rs displayed this year, one may
with reason pray 10 be- left AZ The mercy OF any
monopoly rather than at the mercy Of a Senate
II = needed.
II is not 10 b. found in legislation OF the Jones
Vest variety.
The real question at Ssuc IS not whether ihc
Pullman Company charges too much for iis
service, or pays too low wages. The fact that
many Of its shop hands have been with IT n long
time. and that they are not turned out Of houses
owned by the company though far behind Ia
their rent indicates that the terms Of employ
mcnt have been on the whole satisfactory TO
both parties There may bc fault on one side
or on BOTH but al this has nothing 10 do with the
attempt 70 stop railroads upon which the bust
ness Of the whole country depends IN order 20
force them 70 brcal. contracts under which they
are bound to use and pay for Pullman cars.
To the meancst understanding II must be ap-
parent that the public has a paramount right
TO demand from The transporting companies.
and from the men they employ, faithful per
formance Of the services which both have under
taken 10 render In entering such service,
the hands took upon themselves an obligation
which no organization has any power 10 break,
namely 10 serve the public faithfully In the
running OF railroad trains. The railroads have
obtained franchises and grants and public sup
port for many years on the Same condition, and
are bound by the same obligation The roads
would Violate their obligation II they should
refuse or neglect 10 run needed trains without
an adequate reason. Exactly the hands vlo-
an adequate reason. they deprive the public of
railway facilities. The courts ought TO be able
to compel both the companies and the men TO
perform their duties.
The United States has undertaken, In IFS In
tcrs,ate Commerce act, to control and direct the
running OF railroads In a measure, for the pro
lection Of public interests. 1t IS question
able whether the act has not done more harm
than good But It has At least involved the
United States in certain responsibility TO pro-
feet the transporting companies in the perform
ance Of their duties under the law With more
than million men seeking occupation in
vain, 1t would not be difficult 70 find persons
10 take the places Of strikers. if In their work
they were vigorously protected against mobs
and violence The strikers have In fact chal-
lenged civilized society, without even The pre-
tence Of injustice TO themselves and there ought
to be no hesitation in protecting to the utmost
any men who may be willing 10 serve the public
In their stead.