The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-01-03
ECONOMIC QUESTIONS.
LABOR COMMISSIONER WRIGHT
READS A PAPER
Before the Economic Association-He
Says the Railroad Pooling Bill Has
State Socialism Pure and Simple
The Chicago Strike.

New York, Dec 27.-The forenoon session
of the economic association was occupied
with the reading and discussion of a paper
ON the Chicago Strike of Last July, by Col
Carroll d: Wright, United States commits
sloner of labor An abstract of the paper
follows:
The great strike demonstrated to the sat
isfaction of the public at large the right on
the part of the federal government to send
troops into state for the purpose of pro-
tecting federal interests, whether their pro-
lection was or was not asked for by the
authorities, and to protect its great interest
in the transportation of mails. 1t is further
epochal in its nature and influence, because
it has shown the power of the citizens in
the expansion of the privilege of injunction,
which was twin power to that Of man
damus. 1t was an epoch making a general
subject of question being argued, that
relating to the quas-public character of
railway employees. The chief reason, how
ever, to my mind why the Chicago strike
that 1t constitutes a subordinate element
in revolution which is taking place in this
country. In 1870, congress, at the demand
OF the shippers of this country, and in their
declaration that all charges made for any
service rendered or to be rendered
| in the transportation Of persons or prop
erty on Interstate railways or in connection
herewith, or with the receiving or deliver
| ing or storage or the handling of such prop
| erty, should be reasonable and just and
unreasonable charge for such service was
prohibited and declared to be unlawful.
This declaration has become, to all intents
and purposes, a part of the constitution of
| the United States, because 1t has been sus-
tanned by the courts. But this declaration
| has emphatically state socialism; It has EN-
phatically compulsory arbitration; it has en-
phatically q law regulating the price of
commodities through the prices OF services.
What is the consequence of this as another
step in the silent revolution which is taking
place?
There is now pending in congress meas
ure with state socialism, pure and simple.
refer to the pooling 9 now Penadngg IN
the instance of the shippers and the rail
roads, and its passage is being aided by a
powerful lobby In their service. The rail
will be to the interests of the shippers to
have such a law. The bill provides for a
great trust with the government: Inc hrst
bill to regulate was passed, this powerful
wedge of state socialism was one-quarter
of its own length into the timber of con-
sentative government, Of that government
which means Democracy. The pending
bill the moment 1t becomes ,,a law, VIII ;ti
length into the timber There. will then be
needed but one more blow to drive the wedge
home, and that blow will come at the in.
stance and not of labor-entire government
control of all the railroads of the country
| instead of partial control under the laws now
| existing or proposed. / cannot answer why
| it is that the Chicago strike is epocnal II
its influence as subordinate phase of 81
lent revolution revolution probably in the
interest of the public welfare, but it il
that because the events Of that strike log
ically demanded another declaration of law
and principles of the federal government
should be made such a declaration that al
wages paid, as well as charges for suct
rendered in transportation of property, pas
| sengers, etc., shall be reasonable and just.
| think / recognize the distinction which
yon of the Economic association would make
between government adjustment of freigh
and fully agree that while the government
can fix the compensation of its own EN-
ployes, it cannot and ought, not to attempt
arbitrarily to fix that of roads, but further
prevent the interruption of interstate com
merce and the obstruction of the mails ant
that in the exercise Of this right 1t ought t
have a voice in making the terms and ad
iusting the conditions Of the employment o
employees engaged in such service"