The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-19

CcutS LOT LAKES anu the DdidiSos -
about 80 cents, goes largely for ma
teriai and supplies. Now, this whole
sale slaughter of employees that Great
ed an army of unemployed, had taken
out of the Golfers of the commercial
trade of our government S75O,ooo,0oo
a year. or at least 100000 per day
and, while the employe was made to
suffer for this loss. still the business
public showed a decrease in business,
in comparison with former years
which had equally paralysed them
due to the condition of affairs then
existing.
Railroads Targets of Abuse.
my fellow railway employees all
hope and trust for better times; still
this will not stop the aching heart or
act as a panacea to our hnanclal HIS.
It rests with the railway employe, ana
with him alone, as to whether or not
he will in the future permit his po-
litical influence for railway, Industrial
and manufacturing companies to be-
come the target of abuses not war
ranted or permitted by individual cit
liens.
eff the law making power were SO
privileged that it could cut down the
prices of the product of the farmer,
merchant or other business man, IN
the commodity he may sell; or, re-
duce his earning capacity, so that the
business he is transacting would create
the employees he is obliged to employ,
so that his business would be ham
pered or crippled and his profits d.
ninished.
As Regards Unjust Legislation.
''It is not my purpose today to ad-
vocate the principles of any polltlcal
organization or candidate, but be-
lieve the time has come when hasty
and unWarranted legislation toward
railway interests should be thWarted,
and only such reforms, If any are nee
essary, should be enacted INTO laws
for which the demand is apparent
and after a careful investigation on
the part of the law making power as
to whether or not it will have a ten
dency to diminish the earning capac-
ity of the carrier, cOnfiScate its prop
erty or reduce the earnings of the
wage Garner in its employ. In elevat-
ing to such places of trust or Office,
men who believe in pressing such
drastic legislation. the railway laborer
is simply legislating himself out of
employment While the human cry
has gone forth for the protection of
American industries, let all railway
men, by their votes protect them
selves. as self preservation is the first
law of nature.
Fifty Per Cent Earnings to Labor.
DO you know that nearly so per
cent of the gross earnings of every
railway corporation is paid out for
labor and this item does not include
equipment, engines, cars, material or
interest on stocks and bonds.
What other industry comes so
nearly dividing it's earnings with the
laboring man? I say more-sta tistics
do not disclose any industry wherein
the efforts of labor are as much ap-
preciated by a just reward for the
work performed. as in the channels of
railway operation. The reward of the
wage Garner. through railway opera
ton. seeks the money drawers of
every merchant. No sensible citizens
vish to lessen the productive power
of this industry, destroy it's ability to
furnish means of support to the fam
lily of its employe, or turn this month
ly stream of money away from the
Golfers of the merchant. Nor does
the farmer desire to cut down the
sale of his products; if so, then he
brazen calf of those who seek to de-
stroy his present prosperous condi-
ton The crucial period is now at
hand. We must solve these problems
in the interest of ourselves. Let us
act we'll our part, and not be de-
ceived, but with a consciousness based
on dealing fairly with our neighbor,
as we would with ourselves. When
this is done, I am convinced the war
in this particular industry is over. The
arms of prejudice of the enemy will
be stacked the flag of hatred low
cred, and the argument of the dema-
gogue will be passed into history as a
thing of days that are gone, we hope
never to return; and the purposes of
the laws and the rights of this gov
eminent returned to the people. where
they rightfully belong. And, we will
awaken with the thought that the
prosperity of our country, its citizens,
Industries and titled lands, is of more
vital Importance than the paramount
issue of any political party or organ