The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-02-20
Roosevelt FOresees Industrial
Strife as Railroads Revenge
for Drastic Laws
Gives Out Information Received
Concerning Object of General
Reductions in Pay
Commerce Commission Asked to
Investigate and Give
Facts TO Public

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1o.-Serious
industrial disputes in prospect were
In the mind of President Roosevelt
when he wrote the letter to the inter
state commerce commission which
was made public today, saying that
information had reached him that on
account of the enactment of drastic
laws of congress and the various
state legislatures it was regarded as
necessary by railroad companies to
reduce the pay of employees.
Roosevelt points out that uncer the
law either party may demand the
services OF the chairman OF the inter
state commerce commission and Of the
commissioner OF labor as a board of
Cancellation. He suggests, therefore,
that the interstate commerce commits
enable Il to furnish data concerning
wage conditions on various railroads
that may relate directly or indirectly
70 the impending industrial strife The
text OF the presidents letter follows;
TO the interstate commerce commits
sion: 7 am informed that a number Of
railroad companies have served notice
OF a proposed reduction OF wages on
their employees One OF them, the
Louisville and Nashville. in announcing
the reduction states that the drastic
laws inimicsI TO the interests OF the
railroads that have in the past year or
two been enacted by congress and the
ttste legislatures are largely or chiefly
responsible for the conditions requiring
the reduction.
LABOR WAR IMMINENT
In such circumstances it is possible
that the public soon may be confronted
by serious industrial disputes. and the
law provides that in such case either
party may demand the services OF your
chairman and Of the commissioner Of
labor as board Of mediation and con-
siliation.
These reductions IN wages may be
warranted or they may not. AS to
this the public. which IS a party. can
form no judgment without a more COM
plete knowledge OF the essential facts
and real merits OF the case than it now
has or than It can possibly obtain from
the special pleadings certain TO be put
forth by each side in case their dispute
should bring about serious Interruption
70 traffic.
II the reduction in wages is due to
natural causes. the loss OF business be-
ing such that the burden should be and
Sc equitably distributed between capi-
talist and wage workers. the public
end congress should know 81. and If it
Is caused by misconduct in the past
financial or other operations Of any
railroad then everybody should know
It. especially II the excuse Of unfriendly
legislation is advanced as a method Of
covering up past business misconduct
by the railroad managers or as Justi-
ncstion for failure to treat fairly the
wage earning employees Of the COM
psny-
WANTS IMPORTATION
Moreover an industrial conflict be-
tween a railroad corporation and its
employees offers peculiar opportunities
20 any small number OF evil disposed
persons 70 destroy life and property
and foment public disorder.
@Of. course. IL life. property and pub
lie order are endangered prompt and
drastic measures for their protection
become the first plain duty. All
other duties then become subordinate
"a the preservation of the public peace
and the real merits of the original
are necessarily lost from
view. This vital consideration should
be ever kept in mind by all law abid-
fnx and far sighted members of labor
sTt is sincerely to be hoped. there
fore that any wage controversy that
n,az- rise between the railroads and
+beir employees may find a peaceful !
solution through the methods of con-
ciifatfon snd arbitration already pro-
vided for by congress, which have
,.-o,.en so effective during the past
,-esr To this end the commission
s,,o,,ld he in a position TO have avail
hS. for any board OF conciliation or
!. ration relevant data pertaining TO
e,,~b carriers as may become involved
sn industrial disputes.
ASKS INVESTIGATION
should cancellations fail TO effect
..tlernent and arbitration be rejected,
{ sceurate information should be avail
s,,Se in order to develop a properly
81 formed public opinion
II therefore ask You to make such
Of 2
- - means at your command, as
- %, enable YOU to furnish data con-
!, -...,;,,- such conditions obtaining on
- 4 r1e,,ssvfiie and Nashville and any
~ ,-.ade as may relate directly or
oss', ..,s,-ectlv to the real merits OF a pos
.,,s.i,, impending controversy.
1iDis THEODORE ROOSEVELT"