The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-02-21
PROBE CUT
IN WAGES
PRESIDENT WANTS INTERSTATE
COMMERCE COMMISSION TO
INVESTIGATE.
ASKS REASON WHY.

Fca&&SS
auctions in Wages and Threatened
Decreases-Urges the Commission
ers to Find Out
Washington, Feb. 19.-Serious in
dustrial disputes in prospect were in
the mind Of President Roosevelt when
he wrote a letter to the interstate
commerce commission yesterday
which was made public today.
He says that information mas reach
ed him that on account OF the drastic
laws by congress and by the various
state legislatures 1t is regarded as
necessary by the railroad companies
to reduce the wages Of employees.
He points out that under the law
either party may demand the services
Of the chairman Of the interstate COM
ere commission and Of the commits
sioner Of labor. He suggests, there
fore, that the interstate commerce
commission make such an investiga-
ton as will enable 1t to furnish data
concerning wage conditions on various
railroads that may relate directly or
Indirectly to the possible impending
controversy.
The Letter.
The text OF the presidents letter
follows:
ITO the Interstate Commerce Cam.
mission: ] am informed that a nIm
Der Of railroad companies have saved
notice Of a proposed reduction Of
wages on their employees. One OF
them. the Louisville & Nashville, in
announcing the reduction states that
the drastic laws inimical to the inter-
ests Of the railroads are largely re.
sponsible for conditions requiring the
reduction
Under such circumstances it is
possible that the public may be con-
fronted by serious difficulties aud the
law provides that in such case ether
party may demalA the services of
your chairman and of the commission.
er OF labor as concilitiators. These
reductions in wages may be warranted
or they may not. AS to this the pub
lie, which is a party, a form no
judgment without a more complete
knowledge Of the essential facts andl
real merits Of the case than 1t now
has, or than 1t can possibly obtain
from the special pleadings certain to
be put forth N each side in case their
dispute should bring about serious In
terruption to tra1lc.
Public Should Know.
IF the reduction in wages is due to
natural fuses the loss Of business be-
Ing such that the burden should be.
and Is, equitably distributed between
the capitalist and wage worker. the
public and congress should know 1t,
and Il It is caused by misconduct in
the past. financial OF other operations
81 any railroad, then everybody should
know 1t. and especially II they adj
vance unfriendly legislation as a justt
fication for failure to treat fairly the
wage earning employees Of the COM
pany.
Moreover. an industrial conflict be-
tween a railroad corporation and its
employees offers peculiar opportunities
to any small number Of evil disposed
persons to destroy life and property
and foment public disorder. OF course,
II life, property and public order are
endangered prompt and drastic meas
ures for their protection become the
first plain duty. All duties then be-
come subordinate to the preservation
ST the public peace and the real merits
Of the original controversy r neces-
sarily lost from view. This vital con-
should be eve kept In
mind by all law-abiding and f%ar.sighted
members Of labor organizations.
Hopes for Peace.
1T is sincerely to be hoped, there
fore. that any wage controversy that
may arise between the railroads and
their employees may find a peaceful So
luton through the methods of concilia-
ton and arbitration already provided
For by congress which have proven sol
effective during the past year. To
this end the commission should be in
position to have available for any
beard of Cancellation or arbitration
date pertaining to such carriers az
may become involved in Industrial dis
putes. Should Cancellation fail to ef
feet q settlement and arbitration be
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