The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-14
HOUSTON, MONDAY, MAY IL, 1900.
THE PUBLIC SHOULD INTERVIEWS

firms or corporations operating a public
water plants, or other public utilities.
there is a direct public interest involved
as we'll as the private interests OF the
employers and the employed
1t ought not to be possible for the con
tentions or differences OF opinion or in
AFFECT the entire business OF a community.
This is almost self evident truth that
requires no demonstration. But as a mat
ter Of fact, 1t is even not only possible,
but common for the greed Of private
company on the one hand, or the ag-
gresslycness of employees ON the other, 10
precipitate labor disturbance TIL,
blocks the general business, causes the
loss OF immense sums Of money, often. to
an innocent and anoffending public, creates
public inconvenience and disorder, and
subjects the public welfare for days to the
caprice or the stubbornuess of only a
few members. comparatively. of the COM
munity.
Ii is for such reasons that the public
or community as a whole have u direct
concern and should have direct
voice in these differences between the
employer and employe where public utili-
ties are involved. The growth OF union
ism on the one hand aud OF corporate
power and combination on the other. are
steadily increasing the menace to good
order, business and public comfort which
is ever present in these big strikes. The
menace becomes doubly threatening and
dangerous when efforts to induce sym
pathetic strike" are even partially sue
cessful
The great question, therefore. which Is
now becoming one OF the most important
before the American people is how TO
prevent the losses, the disorders and tho
Inconvenience OF s.rikes7 We would
probably have no right to say to any one
man or body OF men that they could not
quit work at any time they desired, or for
any reason which they deemed sufficient
But society has a right to say that fits
own interests shall not be disturbed
through the actions Of any class OF men.
Public utilities ought never to be stopped
general business ought always to be pro-
teeted
But how to reach such an end without
oppression or injustice toward any one
How prevent ''tie- ups without doing In
Jury either to the employer or the en-
ploye?
There seems to be but one recourse
the courts. the tribunals to which we are
compelled to resort In all other cases OF
disagreement between ourselves as citi-
zens. We are coming, and ought to come
quickly. to a compulsory arbitration law
providing for the speedy settlement of all
these questions between capital and labor
and giving to the courts full authority tc
carry their judgments into effect as any
other judgments are enforced. the State
or court in the meantime taking charge o
the utility or franchise involved to suet
an extent al to guarantee safe and order.
Nv public service. 1t would be in the
nature of receivership attaching by law
Immediately upon the cessation OF this
usual or regular service.
There might be objections to this plan
and many practical difficulties might pre-
cent themselves in the legislative solution
OF the problem. but certainly We could
ind statesmanship of an order to eventu-
ally reach the demands of the case. Or
ssnized society has generally been able to
protect its yibsl interests, and there IL
no reason why II could not do so In this
matter and render such conditions as now
exist in ST, Louis impossible