Omaha daily bee., 1908-02-20
To AVOID LABOR WAR
President Writes Letter on Threat to
Cut Railroad Wages.
HE CALLS FOR AL I'VE FACTS
Commerce Commission As. % Look
Into Merits Of Ca y
PUBLIC Is vITALLY INTER- 20
Charge that New Laws Are Resptn-
sible is Resented.
PUBLIC IS v1TAILY INTER-
SEEKS TO AVOID CONFI1C,
Objection 90 Attempt TO Use Laws to
Oppress Employees or Use Em-
plOyes TO Create Sentiment
Against Laws.

WASHINGTON Feb. 19.-serious indus
trial disputes In prospect were in the mind
of President Roosevelt when he wrote a
letter to the Interstate Commerce commits
sion yesterday. which was made public
boday. He says that information has
reached him that on account Of the enact
ment Of unfavorable laws by the con-
gress and by the various state legislatures
IT is regarded as necessary by railroad
companies TO reduce the pay Of employees
He points out that under the law either
party may demand the services of the
chairman of the Interstate Commerce com
mission and OF the commissioner Of labor
a board OF Cancellation.
He suggests, therefore. that the Inter
state Commerce commission make such an
investigation as VIII enable It to furnish
data concerning wage conditions on various
railroads as may relate, directly or indl-
rectly. TO the possible impending contro-
versy.
Text of Measase.
The full text Of the presidents letter fol-
lows:
THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON,
Feb. Is. 19C8-To the Interstate Commerce
Commission: I am informed that a num-
Der of railroad companies have served no
tice Of proposed reduction of wages on
their employees One of them, the Louis
Vile 6 Nashville. in announcing the re-
duction, states that the drastic laws ini-
mical TO the interests of the railroad that
have in the last year or two been enacted
by congress and the state legislatures' are
largely or chiefly responsible for the con-
ditions requiring the reduction.
Under such circumstances It is impos-
sible that the public may soon be con-
NA1 49,. -
the law provides that IN such cases either
party may demand the services of your
chairman and of the commissioner of labor
as a board of mediation and Cancellation.
These reductions in wages may be war
ranted, or they may not. AS to this. the
public which is vitality interested party.
can form no judgment without a more COM
plete knoYledge OF the essential facts and
real merits OF the case than It now has
or than II can possibly obtain from the
special pleadings eertsin to be put forth
by each side in case their dispute should
bring serious interruption to traffic"
All the Facts Wanted.
II the reduction in wages is due to ma
tural causes. the loss of business being
such that the burden should be, and Is
equitably distributed between capitalist and
wage workers. the public and congress
should know It and II 1t is caused by mis-
conduct in the past financial or other op-
erations of any railroad, then everybody
should know It, especially II the excuse of
unfriendly legislation is advanced as a
method OF covering up past business mis-
conduct by the railroad managers, or as a
just justification for failure to treat fairly
the wage earning employees of the company.
Moreover an Industrial conflict between
railroad corporation and it's employees
offers peculiar opportunities to any small
number OF evil disposed persons TO destroy
life and property and foment public dis
cord. OF course, II life and property and
public order are endangered, prompt and
drastic measures for their protection be-
comes the first plan duty. All other duties
then become subordinate to the preserva-
tion Of the public peace and the real merits
OF the original controversy are necessarily
lost IRON view. This vital consideration
should ever be kept In mid by all law
abiding and far-sighted members of labor
organizations.
Hope for Peaceful Solution,
1t Is sincerely to be hoped therefore,
that any wage controversy that may arise
between the railroads and their employees
may find peaceful solution through the
methods OF conciliatlon and arbitration al
ready pov cCc tor by congress, which have
provvf ne during the past year.
30 g.. -..misson should be in a
pOsir,. .;ailabe for any board
OF .,fbitfauon relevant data
per, 81. carriers may become
inv ,.,dus.ral disputes Should
conIu,,.. AL 10 effect a settlement and
arbiuAa.-. De rejected. accurate lnforma-
uon sh,uu oc available in order to develop
a properly informed public opinion.
Il therefore ask you to make such in
Vestigatiun both Of your records and by
any means at your command as will en-
able you to furnish data concerning such
conditions obtaining on the Louisville &
Nashville and any other roads as may re-
late directly or Indirectly to the real merits
OF possibly impending controversy.