The sun., 1908-02-21

the Interstate Commission % Learn
the CauseOr Railroads ReduCing wages.
WASHINGTON. Feb. sO.-whIle public
men are not inclined TO discuss for publi-
cation President Roosevelt's letter dirsot-
ing the Interstate Commsrco Commission
to make an inquiry to determine the why and
the wherefore Of the action OF railroads In
reducing the wages OF their employees. the
latest utterance from the White House is
quite generally accepted a. notice that the
Administration intends to leave no stone
unturned TO carry out its political plans.
The President 10 represented as convinced
that there 10 conspiracy" on foot among
the interests to dlscredit his policies and
to bring about At the psychological moment
such a depression In commerce and trade
a. to convince the country that a continue
tion q my policies means disaster to bLsi-
ness men and an empty dinner pail for the
toiling masses. ..... -.s
Mr. Roosevelt has made 10 plain that he
wants to know whether curtallment Of ex-
penses by the railroads Ia due to natural
causes sunfriendly legislation' or mis-
conduct in the past financial or other opera
tlons Of any railroad He has 1t in his
power to probe into the affairs OF any rail-
road or all the railroads, and that he will
exercise this power II he deems It necessary
in the accomplishment OF his purposes is
not doubted by public men here. .rt
Il is regarded as significant by many
people in Washington that the President
failed TO avail himself Of information al
ready at hand to determine whether or not
the proposed reduc ton In wages by rail-
roads was the result Of q Conspiracy or
made necessary by falling on in business.
Under the law common carriers are re-
quired to file annual reports with the Inter
state Commerce Commission. These re-
ports are comprehensive in tho case Of
each railroad. showing in detail the amount
OF capital stock issued, the amounts paid
therefor and the manner Of paying for the
same the dividends paid and the number
Of stockholders; the funded and floating
debts and the interest paid thereon; the
cost and the value OF the carriers property.
franchises and equipments: the amounts
expended for improvements each year,
how expended and the character OF such
improvements; the earnings and receipts
from each branch Of business and from
all sources; the operating and other ex-
penses; the balances OF profit and loss,
and. TO use the language Of the law. "a
complete exhibit Of the financial operations
OF the carrier including an annual bala nee
sheet
All Of this information. covering every
item Of railroad operation for the last year.
Is on file In the Offices OF the Interstate Com
merce Commission. and from it the Presi-
dent could have found whether the carriers
were compelled to reduce wages for natural
causes" or whether Il was merely mis-
conduct" on their part.
To political Warrington tn . purpose OF
the President in giving vide publicity TO a
determination to probe the business analrs
of the railroads Ia obvious. He has run UP
banner upon which appears the genial
countenance Of William II. Taft, has grasped
the big stick" firmly in his hand, has bid
defiance 70 his enemies and has made up ms
mind to dictate the succession. IL he fAils
to do this some Of his friends say, he may
take the nomination himself.
There Ia some reason TO believe that the
President had no cause for alarm over the
situation in the railway world. IL is be.
leved that he accumulated a mass OF
misinformation as to the attitude OF the
railways toward their employees. For ex-
ample, il is understood that he was informed
by a prominent labor leader that the Chi
caRo Great Western was one Of the roads
that intended to reduce the wages OF it's en-
ployees.
II waa represented to him that this sys-
ten was one of the most profitable in the
United States, but that in retaliation Of
hostile legialation. State and national, it
proposed 10 even up bv pinchinS its en-
ployees. The best infOrmf ton obtainable
here is thEt the Chicago Great Western Ia
not n biz money maker AMI that It has
never paid dollar On its common stock.
The first step 70 be teken by the Inter-
state Commerce Commission in carrying
| out the Presidents orders will he to make
| a careful examination Of the reports Of the
Louisyille and Nashville and other roeds
| that have fallen under the Executive dis
pleasure. This may be followed by a con-
| ference with the Representatives OF the rail-
roads affected. In the meantime Charles
p Neill. Commissioner OF Labor, has gone
West 10 pursue that part OF the investi-
CATION assigned to him.