The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-02-20
Sends an Appeal to the Inter-
state Commerce Commits
sion Asking 1t to Investigate
Reigning Conditions.
.CLEVER SUBTERFUGE ON
THE PART OF RAILROADS.
Corporations Blaming Roose-
welt for Panic Hope to Heap
More Blame for Evil Condi-
tionS Upon Him.

Washington. Feb. 20.-Unusua,. II
not remarkable. is letter written by
the president to the Interstate Com
merce Commission yesterday and
made public last evening. Ii relates
to the reduction of wages OF railroad
certain large railway systems on the
ground that drastic legislation has
caused contradiction of business and
decrease of profits. The president
asks the commission TO make An in
vestigation. with view 10 showing
the exact causes of the prospective
reduction. SO that the public may be
able To determine whether to synpa-
thiZe with the railroads or their en-
ployes i'll the event serious industrial
disputes arise. and to form a correct
conclusion as to the reason OF the enl-
barrassments of the roads. The sug-
gestion of possible industrial con-
flict' and resultant disorder" and
alarm some people. Ii is an indica-
ton, however. of the terrific contest
which is impending between the
Roosevelt administration and certain
great business interests.
1t is no secret that the curtailment
of railroad activity and other lines OF
business has been charged in "a meas
ure TO the president in some quarters.
No one knows this better than he. and
he has been informed also that the ex-
planation will probably be offered
that to the vigorous execution of his
policies may be attributed, in part, at
least. the proposed reduction of rail-
way employees wages. The intima-
ton has also been given out from high
administration circles that there Is ac-
tually no pressing necessity of such a
reduction, but that its contemplation
is further evidence of 'trich mems
conspiracy" 10 prevent the president
from debating the nomination of his
successor and controlling the next re-
publican national convention. In the
letter the president suggests also that
il railroads are now compelled to re-
duce wages it may be found TO be the
result of past misconduct" instead of
adverse legislation. 1t will be aston
ishing if the country does not sit mp
and take notice when il reads his let
ter, which is as follows:
Il am informed that a number of
railroad companies have served notice
of a proposed reduction of wages on
! IF shA
Louisville and Nashville. in announc-
ing the reduction, states that the
drastic laws, inimicaI to the interests
of railroads. that have in the past
year or two been enacted by congress
and the state legislatures are chiefly
responsible for the conditions reauir-
ing the reduction.
Sees Serious Trouble.
Under such circumstances il is
possible that the public may soon be
confronted by serious industrial dis
putes, and the law provides that in
such case either party may demand
the services of your chairman and of
the commission of labor as a board
of mediation and conciliation. These
a
or they may not As 70 this the pub
lie. wIich is a vitaIly Interested party.
can form no judgement without
more complete knowledge OF essential
facts and real merits of the case than
II now has, or than it can possibly OBJ
tain from the special pleadings Ger
tain to be put forth by each side. in
case their dispute should bring about
serious interruption in traffic.
If the reduction in wages is due TO
natural causes the loss OF business
being suca that the burden should be
and is, equally distributed between
capitalists and wage-worker, the pub
lie should know it. If 1t is caused by
legislation the public and congress
should know it, and if il is caused by
misconduct in the past financial or
other operations by any railroad. then
everybody should know IL. especially
il the excuse of unfriendIy legislation
is advanced as q method of covering
up past business misconduct BY the
railroad managers, or as a justifica-
ton for failure To treat fairly the
Wage-earning employees of the coD-
panies.
Chance for HoodIums.
Moreover. an industrial conflict be-
tween railroad corporation and its
employees offers peculiar opportunities
to any small number of eyiI-disposed
persons to defy life and property and
foment public disorder. OF course, fl
life. property and public order are en-
dangered, prompt and drastic meas
ures for their protection is the first
duty. All other daties become srbor
dinate to the preservation Of public
peace and the real merits Of the orig
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