Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18

1H HERE are IN washington Two
men who occupy unique posi-
tons in Uncle Sans official
family. They are designated
by law as the official peace
makers-perhaps it would be more cor
rect to say peace preservers-between the
railroads and that big, influential and
intelligent body of men. the train oper-
ators engaged in interstate traffic.
The work of these two men has been
remarkable in several particulars. In
the first place. it has been uniformly sue
cessful. That is a great thing to say. es-
pecially regarding something that was
looked upon in the light of a questionable
experiment when 1t was first suggested.
In the second place. their work has shown
that when approached in friendly spirit
but without bias, prejudice or PARTISAN
ship, both capital and labor are disposed
to display fairness, patience. tolerance
and a regard for the rights each of the
other
How much of this success has been due
to the personality of the medators. how
much to the good sense and fairness or
the men and their employers, may not
accurately be determined, but that much
has depended on the mediators themselves
is beyond dispute. 1t must be regarded
as fortunate that both the chairman or
the interstate commerce commission ana
the commissioner of labor are especially
qualified both by education and tempera-
ment. to act in the capacity of mediators.
as they required to do by the terms
of the Erdman act.
Reared on a farm until his seventeenth
year. Martin Augustus Knapp of SYRIA
cuse. n. y. chairman of the interstate
commerce commission, learned by expert
ence something about the standpoint of
the man who labors with his hands. HaV-
re.l hi coll
Of A NJ. and Ii. D.. gained admission TO
the bar of his native state and become
possessed through his industry and thrift
IF a competence, he has an appreciation
for the feelings of the capitaiistc class
and an understanding of the legal rights
of both labor and capital. Wlthal he has
keen sympathy for the workingman
and a sense of justice which would pre-
vent him from countenancing an injustice
to any individual. whether rich poor.
Nj. Knapp, while still young lawyer.
was made corporation counsel for the
city of Syracuse. He held that office for
six years. In 1891 he was appointed
member of the interstate commerce com
mission by President Harrison. reap
pointed i'm 1897 by President Cleveland
and again redppOinted by President
Roosevelt in 1902
As United States commissioner of labor
Charles p. Neil has made excellent
record. although il was nothing more
than was confidently expected by those
who were acquainted with his fine char
acter and sterling qualifications before he
was induced to take up one OF the most
delicate and trying combinations of du-
les in the government service. His train
ing has been along lines which well fitted
him for his post. and his personal tenn
permanent has been valuable in enabling
MIN to consider questions coming before
him in an official way without partisan
ship or bias.
DR.. Neill's Equipment.
DR. NELL is a social scientist of eminent
attainments. For ten years he filled most
acceptably the responsible post At the
head of the department OF economics.
Catholic University of America. in the
city OF Washington. He was assistant
>order of the anthracite ccal strike COM
mission. and valuable in that cOnnec-
ion as an authority and referee
statistical matters entering into the
question DR.. Neill was also recorder OF
the commission. Of which Judge Gray
vas chairman. which settled the great
,oaI strike. and he has been prominent in
many matters affecting differences and