The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-09

"and in defiance. and without regard to regu-
larly organized labor, did, in mass-meeting
assembled, pass resolutions" etc. We desire
to state that we acknowledge error, in that we
should have inserted after the word defiance"
the words "of every principle of American
to regularly organized labor were used simply
as a mild way OF stating that had the alleged
laborers" been engaged in legitimate protest,
they would have notified all labor organize
lions, and the public generally, through the
local columns of the daily press, OF their inten-
tions, and would have asked our cooperation
(Which would have been most cheerfully eX-
tended in legitimate cause), instead of max
ing sneaking march through the then de-
serted business portion OF the city after night
all and then passing resolutions and denounc-
ing and attempting to intimidate State officers
into a disreputable violation of their sworn
duty to their constituents, all of which no
American with the slightest spark of manly
principle in his heart could or would counte-
nance or tolerate.
The Evening Bee and the Record Union-the
former alleged by the reading public OF this
city and elsewhere TO wear the railroad col
lar" and the latter owned, plant and brains,
by the monopoly--have each taken umbrage
at the resolutions set forth by this council, de-
claring, among other things, that the railroad
employees should bear no weight in the deliber-
atlons OF the Railroad Commission as against
the overwhelming odds OF other industrial
workers in the State. We respectfully submit
that there was no more cruelty suggested or
asserted IN that resolution than the truth,
DOIuly 1HulcdleS. 1t Is d we'll
known fact that organized labor will at all
times extend to unorganiZed labor its moral
support in its efforts to prevent degradation in
any form or while attempting to better is con-
dltlon, but unorganized labor need expect no
more than moral support. If unorganiZed
labor would receive more from organized labor
then it must organize and affiliate and stand
us snare OF the expense and untiring effort
necessary to bring order out of chaos
The speakers at Saturday October 49, nights
meeting asserted that the Southern Pacific
1FOln tferla
wages than any other railroad in the United
states. While we believe that assertion will
not bear investigation, still, admitting it TO be
true, do not the poor dupes know that the
monkey who was using them at that time
was simply paving the way for any future re-
duction that Uncle Coils and his satellites
may determine upon, by using their own
declaration, made in mass-meeting assembled,
against them?
The railroad organs of this city act as
though they knew they could stuff any kind
OF buncombe down the throats of the railroad
employees. They have scared them into pro-
testing against the proposed cut in transporta-
ton rates by iHtimatfng that the corporation
would be compelled to make up the difference
In net profits bv cutting wages. And the men
seem to be imbued with the idea that they
cannot help themselves, but must prostitute
their American manhood at the behest of their
employer.
Then, again, the Record-Union comes for
ward with the startling intelligence that by
reason OF the proposed reduction In transpor-
tat1on rates our State will be flooded with the
..pauper and prison-labor manufactures of the
East. Think OF it-a reduction thaE can only
be enforced within the confines of the great
State OF California so reducing the freight on
Eastern manufactures and products as 10 flood
our glorious State and ruin and bankrupt our
manufacturers and merchantsl And then, too,
this anomaly, that cheaper transportation on
tre1gnts does not bring reduced prices to the
consumer. Why have merchants complained
from time to time to the Railroad Commi sion,
and even to the courts in years gone by that
the railroad company was discriminating
n m m not
who was thereby enabled to updersell them?
Why is it that the Southern Pacific Railroad
Company has, from the first operation OF its
road held this same discrimination scheme as
club over the head OF every merchant In Cali
fornia, aye, on the whole Pacific Slope, who
could not avail himself of water railroad
competition, and who should in any wise incur
the displeasure OF the operators of the South
ern Pacific?
policy of the directorate of the Southern Pa
clfic corporation that California-with her
boundless resources, her vast area, her
rlvaled and diversified climate, unsurpassed
soils, her unlimited fertilty-has been held
back, and her growth in population and pro-
Effectiveness retarded. while a few men at the
head OF the gigantic octopus have accumu-
lated fabulous and inherited - aye, illegal
wealth; the Government bare-facedly robbed;
the people bled to the tune of "all the traffic
will bear; laborers cut down and forced
the point OF the bayonet into abject submits
sion; settlers and home builders shot down in
the sight of their families; shareholders
robbed of their legitimate dividends, and gem
eral distress, misery and poverty where pros
perity and happiness should reign supreme.
And, further, the mouthpieces of the railroad
would inculcate the belief in the minds of the
roads employees and the general public that the
California Railroad Commission intends to re-
duce the transportation rates % per cent regard
less OF the ability OF the railroad corporation 10
make its necessary operating expenses and a
fair dividend on its paid-up capital stock under
such cut Nothing was ever more fallacious.
In the first place the commission has no such
power under the laws of this State or Of the
United States; and if the commission had the
power and the desire, the populace would not
permit it, as the railroad, operated under
proper laws is necessity of our modern civili-
eaton and must be maintained.
Finally, the Bee intimates that Mr.. La Rue
one of the Commissioners, had hand in con-
ceiying the resolutions presented to this coIin-
ell on October 81. We desire to enter dis
claimer. in justice to Mr.. La Rue. The resolu-
tions were written at no ones suggestion. We
are free TO say the author of the resolutions
never had an opportunity for an introduction
to that gentleman. He saw him but once in
his life, and that was at the Democratic City
Convention, and he has never spoken nor
written to Mr.. La Rue. So that gentleman's
skirts are clear of any blame that may by any
chance be attached to the passing and publish
ing of said resolutions.
Furthermore, the preamble and resolutions
III question were written by Democrat; sub
mitted to committee composed of three Re-
publicans for amendment or alteration if they
saw fit; then submitted to consideration and
vote OF the delegates present, consisting of two
three Democrats, seven or eight Repub-
liceus and the remainder Populists who
directly represent about 1900 organized wage
earners in this city and by utilization over
90, 600 in the State. Therefore politics did not
enter into it. The resolutions were passed
without a dissenting voice or vote. Respect
fully submitted.
[sEALl SACRAMENTO FEDERATED TRADES
COUNCIL.