The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-11-13

much more disturbed than We now are
By contests between capital and labor.
Some 81 our courts. however. are sfaAi pos-
ing over the Law reports OF antiquity. N
order 20 conssr1e conspiracy Gus OF iacor
organizations We also have employers
who o5struct progress by perverfsng ana
misspp1ying the Law Of supply and ee-
msnd. and Who. white insisting upon IN
dfvidusiisrn for workmeu. demand that
they shall b let alone TO combine - tnsy
please. and society snd al its forces Shall
protec: them IN their resulting eonten-
tons.
RzILRo4ps 70 LoxeEz CONFETTI
'sThe rapid concentration Of power and
wealth, under stimulating legislative con-
disions, in persons, corporations and
monopoIiss. has greatly changed the busi-
ness and industrial situation Our rail-
roads we're constructed upon the theory
that their competition would amply protect
shippers 40 70 rates, etc. and employees -
20 wages and other conditions Combina-
ton has largely destroyed this theory,
and has seriously disturbed the natural
working OF the laws of supply and
demand which, In theory. are based
upon competition for labor between
those who demand it, as we'll as among
those who supply H. For instance, as We
petitive demand among the twenty-forr
railroads at Chicago for switchmen. They
have ceased to compete with each other;
they are no longer twenty-four separate
and competing employers; they are virtu-
ally one
LABOR UNIONS HAVE CONF TO STAY.
However men may differ about the
propriety and legality of labor unions. We
m ust all recognize the fact that We have
them with Us 70 stay. and TO grow more
numerous and powerful. Is It not wise TO
Fsxa4. - 81
their necessity as labor guides and pro-
tectors: to conserve their usefulness, in
crease their responsibility and prevent
their foilies and sggressions by comforting
upon them the privileges adjudged
by corporations with like proper
restrictions and rsgulationsf The
growth OF corporate power and wealth
has been the marvel o. the past
fifty years. Corporations have undoubt-
eddy benefited the country and brought Its
resources TO our doors. Ii viii not be sur
prislng II the marvel of the next nifty
years DO the advancement Of labor to
position OF like power and responsibility.
We have heretofore encouraged the one
and comparatively neglected the other.
Does not wisdom demand that eacn be
encouraged TO prosper legitimately, and to
grow into harmonious relations of equal
standing and responsibility before the
law? This involves nothing hostile to the
true interests and rights of either.
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP OF RAILROADS
"The commission deems that recon-
mendations OF specific remedies would be
premature. Such q problem. for instance.
as universal government ownership of
railroads is too vast, manv sided and far
away, il attempted. to be considered as an
immediate practical remedy. 1t belongs
TO the sociaiistic view of public questions.
where government ownership is advocated
of monopolies such as telegraphs, tele-
phones and express companies. and mu
nscipal ownersh p OF waterworks, sas and
electric light and street railways. These
time goes On. They need to be
well studied in every aspect by
every citizen. Should continued COM
binations and consultations result
in half dozen or less ownerships of our
railroads within few years, as is by no
means unlikely. the question of govern
ment ownership would be forced to the
front, and we need 10 be ready to dispose
of Ii inteiligently. We need to fear every
thing revolutionary and wrong. but We need
fear nothing that any nation can success
fully attempt in directions made necessary
by changed economic conditions or in
dustries. Other nations, uider their con-
ditions, own and operate telegraphs and
railways with varying results. Whether
ii is practicable for this nation to do SO
successfully, when IL becomes necessary to
save an investment or when the people
determine IL shall be done. is an open and
serious question which cannot be answered
fully except by actual experiment.
NATIONAL REGULATION OF RAILROADS.
1--WE ought TO inaugurate a permanent
system Of investigation into the relations
between railways and employees, in order
10 be prepared TO deal with them inteili-
gently, and that We may conservatively
adopt kuch remedies as are sustained by
public opinion for defects or wrongs t.at
may from time 10 time appear. The ques-
ton of what shall be done il, therefore,
one Of expediency and not of power.
When railroads acted as judge and Jury in
passing upon the complaints of shippers,
they demanded and the congress granted
q government tribunal where shippers aud
railroads could meet on equal terms and
have the law adjust their differences. In
view of the strike and its suggested
dangers, the people have the same
right to provide a government commission
10 investigate and report on differences
between railroads and their employees. TO
the end that interstate commerce and
public order may be less disturbed by
strikes and boycotts. When railroad en-
ployes secure greater certainty of their
positions and of the right TO promotion,
compensation for injury. etc, il will be
time enough 20 consider such strict regu-
lasion for them se can now Justly as
sign TO railroads. whose rights are pro-
tected by laws and guarded by all the adj
vautsges OF greater resources snd more
concentrated control"
PERMANENT STRIKE TRIBUNAL
The commission contends that the law
should make 1t obligatory unon some
public tribunal 20 interviews by means of
investigation and conciIiation and TO re-
port whenever difficulty OF the character
of that occurring during the season al
Chicago arises, The commission, there
fore, recommends:
CHAPTER |.
81. That there be a permanent limited
States strike commission OF three men,
hcrS. with duties and movers OF inves,Irs-
ton and recommendation as 10 disputes
between railways and their smpioves
similar 10 those invested ia the Interstate
commerce commission rs TO rats etc
"A-Thai. as in the interstate com
nieree act. power shall be given 10 the
United States courts 10 compel RAILWAYS
q obey the decisions 81 the commission.
after q summary hearing unattended by
techniealisiss. and that no delays IN obey
ing the decisions Of the commission he
allowed, pending appeals
'R-That whenever the parties 10 A
controversy ia a matter within the jurEs-
diction ~ the commission are one or
more railroads On one side ana one
or more national trades un{ons
incorporated under chapter SGT o,
the lnitsd states statutes OF isS5-~s
or under state statutes, up0n the
other. each SIDE shall have the right 10
select representative, who snail be ap-
pointed by the president 10 serve as tenn
porsFy member Of the commission in
hearing. adjusting and determining that
particular controversy. This provision
x.fskrsRf "a.