The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-04-09
(By HARRY O. JoHNsToN)

]
ston. secretary OF the State Fedora
| ton of Labor. with this statement:
The federation will make CON
certed attack on the constitutional
amendment providing for the build
ing of railroads in the state. at the
election in April. Plans are being
arranged for general movement
against the proposed amendment and
the stumping of candidates among
the unionists is not an improbable
ity."
Il will be remembered by the peo'
pie of Oklahoma that the union or
CARNATIONS took similar position
when this proposition was up for
consideration by the people last
year: some unionists in the employ
of the state at that time stumped
the state against the amendment,
claiming principally that the propos-
ed change in the constitution took
the rover OF regulation out OF the
hands Of the state corporation com.
mission and that its enactment
meant the destruction of all the
rights of labor guaranteed by the
constitution by eliminating Section
IS, Article IX. and of Article 90.
wherein the corporation commission
is given the power 10 regulate and
control the business of all corpora
tions in this state. Whether this ar
gument was based upon one scin-
tilla OF fact it had its effect upon
the working people of the common
wealth. who in the main voted ad-
versely to the proposed change.
The writer at that time took the
same stand that he takes today
that it is imperative TO the material
growth and development of Okla
homa in general that this const-
tutional provision should be mod-
fled in such manner as is advanced
in the joint resolution of the senate
and house Of representatives; be-
cause, under the existing conditions.
railroad construction in the state is
absolutely prohibited; Independent
lines of road that have been built,
and which cannot be operated upon
a paying basis, are shorn of any
possible means of assistance by 9TH
er and bigger lines that could 9th
erwise be maintained by them. The
proposed amendment TO be voted on
at the special election. April %, is
so clear that any man of ordinary
intelligence can understand its pur-
port thoroughly and without being
deceived in its operation in the
event that it becomes operative. II
Is simply this:
Section Q. Any foreign or domes-
mission company may lease, sell or
! otherwise dispose of its property and
franchise TO, or may lease, buy or
otherwise acquire and operate the
property and franchise of any like
| company wholly within or operating
out of the state, and may exercise
the right and power of eminent do
main under the laws of this state. or
as may hereafter be provided by law.
Provided. that the provisions of this
section sahll not be construed to af-
feet the power of the Corporation
Commission to regulate and control
the business of all corporations in
this state, or to affect the provisions
OF Section 3S. Article 9. or of Arti-
c'e % of the Constitution of this
State"
Is there anything wrong or unfair
in that? Is there anything in il in
imical 10 the interests or welfare
of the toilers of this state? Does IL
take one iota of power from the
state corporation comm ssion? Does
II turn the state over to the corpo.
rations and the special interests?
Docs it give the railroads and other
public utility corporations too much
scope within which TO operate? on
the other hand, isn't II n fact plain
to see that the corporation commits.
sion's power is not curtailed one
bit? Doesn't II say to railroad pro
moters and others interested in pro
melton work. Come to Oklahoma |
and well treat you with the con.
that you merit and give |
You chance TO profit in a legiti- |
mate development Of our vast nat
lral resources Doesn't il do more
han this? Doesn't il open up a
field of employment here that will
'edound to the advancement of the
man in every respect con
'eivahle9 Of course il does. With
,ut the construction Of railroads no
can develop and pros
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