The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-02-18

tunate is it that the commerce act au-
thorizes a citizen who Is not pecunla-
rily interested to come before your
body and complain of these conditions.
Fortunate it is that there is such
man as this complainant, who, tor no
matter of dollars and cents, for no
sordid, pecuniary reason, has been WILL
ing to bear the brunt and sustain the
burden of barring before YOU these con-
ditions and, in the name OF all the
consumers, Of whom he is but one, 10
demand relief i
Mr.. Shearn then reverted to the re-
lief granted to the laborer by the An
thracite Coal Commission and said:
what the strike commission has
done for the laborer, the Interstate
Commerce Commission can do for the
consumer.
This railroad combination was COM
PEELED to pay the laborer what was que
him by the award of an impartial trl-
bunal after an investigation OF the
facts. This complainant now turns TO
the Interstate Commerce Commission 10,
and upon our evidence asks. that the
same Justice be awarded to the son-
sumner. a .'.,
Moot Praise. Opponent.
Mr.. Mooot then addressed the COM
mission. He began by paying a. high
compliment to Mr.. Shearn, the attor-
ney for the complainant, saying:
First, let me congratulate Mr..
Hearst on having as his representative
here a. man who has given 50 much
time. so much patient attention, to all
this complicated detail, and who has
made, I think, all that could be possf-
bly, made Of this case on his side.
IF it has seemed to us weak at
times, as he presented it; II his posi-
ton has seemed to us weak at times,
it was not because of weak presen-
tation, and not because of a presenta-
ton not intended, I believe, because 1
have admired the candor with which
he has spoken in answer to questions
of this commission and the patience
with which he has listened to Interrupt
tons of counsel.
But it has been either because, of
inadequate information that it has
been weak, and therefore counsel has
undertaken to make points where they
did not exist, in my Judgment; Or 1t
has been because the record that has
been created here by conditions-stern
conditions, not created by any man,
but created by the Almighty centuries
and centuries ago-have been insur-
mountable, and legal talent could not
overcome them.
Ellis case has been still presented
he has intended to treat, and believe
has treated us courteously throughout
this long investigation, and he il enti-
tied to the thanks of every one of US,
and shall now tender those thanks to
him publicly.
Decries American Labor.
II would call the commissions at
tention to what was shown by Mr..
Blauvelt that, when the price. of our
labor was raised 8 per cent, it became
lesss efficient. That is true, I believe,
also, Of European labor, where there is
g. less wage and better service That
is also evident in our country, for
housewives will. tell you that where
formerly they paid 50, 81 and IS for
service it was much better than now
when they pay S.; $S and 81. :.
"That," continued Mr.. Moot, with in
creasing .fervor, lis in the nature Of
things, because when a man gets his
pocket full Of money Just in that pro-
portion he gets dissatisfied and less
efficient. It means that any man can
stand adversely, but it takes a level
headed man to stand prosperity.
There is nothing more true, I think, of
human nature in general" -
Mr.. Moot repeated this statement
practically in his peroration..' ~
: Attacks Shearn's "Pieturs!" ~
Mr.. Moot then ATTACKED that part, of
the picture Mr.. Shearn drew Of the
enormous profits of the railroads, in
stocks, etc. Said Mr.. Moot: r :.<., .54..,,ss
my friend suggests that because the
Reading and Lackawanna and. other
companies are making profits and divi-
dends and the stock ticker IL kept
busy this commission should strike at
the price through the rate. s u.s. " I'll
i II rs that anything but rank socialism,
to callSit by its right name? / might
sas well ask this complainant, who Ii
worth millions and who makes mill
ions out &of his newspapersI might 81
we'll ask that he he stripped of thu
millions he a making ~ some goyetn-
snnenta L agency ois that olld inter-
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