Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-07
ROADS NOT BACK OF MOVE
Park Of Union Pacific Says Employees
Association is Spontaneous.
SAYS MEN ACT INDEPENDENTLY
Thinks Readiness with which Em-
pIoyes Respond Disproves that
Railroads Promulgated
the scheme.

The Nebraska State Railway Employees
Protective association continues to grow.
It's membership now being over 10000. The
promoters are meeting with a heavy re-
Spouse from all employees who have decided
TO take an active interest in things politt-
cal and otherwise. saying they believe what
is to the interest OF the railroads, their
employers, is also to their own interest.
II know the railroads have been accused
Of fostering this plan" said w. L. Park,
general superintendent of the Union Pa
cific, but I think that idea is being dissl-
pated by the spontaneous action Of nearly
all the employees. Most Of the men seem to
join the association as soon as they are
approached. The State Railway commits
sion took the attitude at first, hat a few
men would appear before that body. prob
ably at he insigation Of the railroad Of
ficials. but when seventy-five earnest men
from all parts Of the state appeared and
stated their cases so enthusiastically and
with so much feeling, I think they were
soon convinced that these men were act
ing on their own accord. To my knowledge
the officials OF the railroad companies have
had nothing to do with the natter.
Employees state Their Plan.
The railroad employees have prepared a
ANInHDicl ihDtttQ Nnt fNdlltOdu EtIHPlOSb Oh
Viewpoint" which has been generally
distributed among the railroad men. The
pamphlet presents the various arguments
against rate reductions and gives the OBJ
ject OF the association In these words.
The present move on the part OF not
ohly the railroad men Of Nebraska, but
those OF other states, Is almost s%pontan-
eous, and has been brought about by the
batting -of-railroads, which has been quite
general, undoubtedly for the reason that
this great corporate industry Is moro
vulnerable than others and from its mag.
something Is wrong which ,muSt be cor
rected. That there 10 something wrong ie
undoubtedly true; that the fault does not
lie with the railroads at present is sus-
ceptihle of indiBputable proof. In the In
terests OF the general public, fairness must
prevail and a calm dispassionate survey
of the situation obtain.
To seriously cripple the transportation
facilities of the country will be a disastei
much greater than can be conceived Of, and
VIII reach every man, woman and child Ii
the commonwealth
notwithstanding the great prosperity en-.
Joyed by the people Of the United States
during the last few years there seems tC
have grown up a sentiment that the rail.
roads and their employees were not to bt
permitted a fair share thereof. Prices fol
necessities were advanced, not In accord,
oEce with the law OF supply and demand
but in many cases alphabetically and be
cause OF the general prosperity. Unreason'
able prices were made possible DY lack o.
generally sharp competition. In many
instances merchants advanced their price.
sufficient to Immediately absorb all thu
increase granted to employees without
scintilla of justification. Or the othel
hand, the commercial organizations tool
advantage OF the situation by endeavortnl
TO reduce the revenue OF the railroads II
divers ways the employees, In many In
stances. working into their hands, HAVING
beer deceived by promises of Legislation
in their behalf. which. when II material
ised. gave the other Fellow some substan
the privilege OF paying his fare or freigh
on his household goods II, through mis-
fortune, he was required to change hi
position, which in an indirect way, re
bounded to the benefit of his pseudo
friend.