The Washington herald., 1908-02-20

OF modifying his policies for the regula-
ton Of the business Of the railroads Of
the United States is clearly indicated in
a letter made public yesterday. in which
the Interstate ommerce Commission is
directed 70 make an inquiry with a view
to ascertaining what has prompted GER
tain railroads to serve notice Of an in
tenuon to reduce the wages Of their en-
ployes.
The investigation thus ordered by the
President will be conducted jointly by the
commission under the general powers
conferred by the Hepburn law, and by
the chairman Of the cOmmisslo nand the
Commissioner Of Labor. who are the Off
GERS empowered with the duty of enforc-
ing the Erdmann law. The latter IS
known as the "act of meditation and
Cancellation"
The administration is expected to WELD
the big stick in the form Of inquiries
INTO the conduct and management" Of
railroads. such as was made in the case
OF the Hartman lines.
Letter to Commission.
The Presidents letter follows:
ITO the Interstate Commerce Commission:
Il am informed that a<number Of rail-
road companies have served notice of a
proposed reduction OF wages on their en-
ployes One, of them the Louisville and
Nashville. in announcing Tie reduction
states that drastic laws fnimicaI 20 the
interests Of the railroads that have in the
past year or two been enacted by Con-
gress and the State legislatures are large
IL or chiefly responsible for the conditions
requiring the reduction.
"Under such circumstances il is posi-
bic that the public may soon be confront
ed 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 a board Of mediation and con
ciliation. These reductions In wages may
be warranted, or they may not.
Public Is Interested Party.
"As to this. the public. which is vitally
interested party, can form no Judgment
with a more complete knowledge Of the
essential facts and Ia merits Of the
case than IL now has or that it can possi-
bly, obtain from the special pleadings 10
be put forth by each side in case their
dispute should bring about serious inter
TuptiOn 10 traffic. If the reduction in
wages is due TO natural causes, the loss
Of business being such that the burden
should be. and is, eGuitably distributed
between capitalist and wage Garner. the
public should know it, II It is caused by
legislation, the public and Congress
should know it. and if it is caused by
misconduct in the past financial o. other
operations of any railroad, then every
body should know it, especially if the
excuse Of unfriendly legislation is ad-
vanced as a method of covering up past
business misconduct by the railroad man
ayers or Justification for failure 10
treat fairly the wage-earning employees Of
the company.
should Avoid Trouble.
Moreover an industrial conflict between
n railroad corporation and its employees
offers peculiar opportunities 20 any small
number Of evil disposed persons TO des-
troy life and property and foment public
disorder. or course. if life. property. and
public order are endangered prompt and
drastic measures for their protection be-
come the first plain duty. All other is
sues then become subordinate TO the
preservation Of the public peace and the
real merits Of the original controversy
are necessarily lost from view. This
vital consideration should be ever kept
IN mind by all law-abidsng and far-sight-
ed members Of labor organizations.
1T is sincerely 20 be hoped. therefore,
that any wage controversy that may
arise between the railroads and their
employees may find peaceful solution
through the methods of Cancellation and
arbitration already provided by Congress.
which have proven so affective during
the past year
To this end the commission should
be IN a position 10 have available for
any board Of Cancellation or arbitra-
, tion relevant data pertaining to such
carriers as may become involved in in
dustrial disputes.
should Have Information.
should Cancellation fail to effect a
settlement and arbitration be rejected
accurate Information should be avail
able in order 10 develop a proncrl,, |
formed public opinion.
I therefore ask you to make suob
investigation. both OF your records
and by any other means at your com
mand. as will enable TO furnish data
''iSei4iilS Sbcn cohQltlOnS ODtainable |
on the Louisville and Nashville and
any other roads, as may relate direct
y or indirectly to the real merits of
the possibly impending controversy.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Many Persons Interested.
That the Presidents letter made a good
many people in Washington sit I'D and
take notice is expressing ii mildly. The
fact that the President contemplated
some such action first became known yes
;erday.
The administration is very much con-
cerned over the course Of certain rail /
roads in reducing wages and the Presi- |
dent particularly is said to be incensed
over explanations given by such railroads |
that they were forced to retrench. owing /
TO falling OFF in business following the
enforcement OF Roosevelt policies and GER
tain regulatory measures passed by a |
number OF States.
The fear has been expressed by friends
Df Secretary Taft that II the depression /
Continued on Page J, Column 2
Everybody Comes 20 Us for Lumber.