Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-01-19
.MOrrisey Appears
in Rate Case for
Railroad Employees
Labor Leader Contends that Transpor
tation Companies Are Entitled
to More Revenue.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1s.-Speaking i'm be
half of 10000 employees actively engaged in
railroading p. II. Morrissey, president of
the American Railroad Employees and In
vestors' association today made a formal
statement to the Interstate Commerce Com
mission in support of the proposed advance
In freight rates by the railroads.
Mr. Morrissey is the chairman Of com
mittee representing the employees consist
ing of George Brophy conductor; r. Il.
Fitzpatrick. conductor; II. f. Smith, bag
gageman, and r. n. Bullock, locomotive
engineer; T. j. Dolan of Chicago, general
secretary treasurer Of the International
Brotherhood of Steam Shovelmen. also
Joined in the statement Scores of favoring
petitions from various branches of the
organized railroad labor were submitted to
the commission
In presenting the statement and petitions
Mr.. Morrissey said:
The petitions and other expressions we're
secured without connivance or coercion.
| They include both union and nonunion
men. They represent the free expressions
of the employees"
! 1T might be urged" suggested MIR. Nor
rissey that these employees, not having
made q close investigation of the financial
situation or an analysis of the rate question
are not in a position to pass intellgently
on the subject.
This may be technically true, but the
employees have a good general Idea of in
dustrial conditions in our country and they
| have observed signs and conditions which
have impressed them in common-sense
way with the belief that the railways are
entitled to greater compensation.
I'm no other industry in your country is
! labor so largely employed as on the rail-
roads and none in which so large a proper
ton of gross earnings goes directly to
labor. Labor got 81. .S49, 95S from the rail-
roads in 1909, about Al per cent OF their
gross earnings. 1t is estimated that labor
will get at least $sO,OOOOOO more when the
increases for 1910 are added.
The right of the railway worker to a
voice on a question that vitality concerns
his welfare cannot be denied nor can he
remain disinterested when theories are be-
ing exploited which involve his relation to
his employer. his safety or the earnings
that are the reward of the activities of his
brain and muscles.
These active operating employees get n
a comparative LABOR sense good pay an,
they will continue to ask for more II tn,
economic cpHO'lOnG OF the country con
tinue to develop as they have in the last
ten yeors
"They know that transportation has moi
been a serious element n increasing the
cost OF living, because rates generally hav,
not been increased. They have learned tn,
small percentage the freight rate bears 4
the selling price of the commodities the!
eat and wear, and they reason the freigh
rate is not an important factor in influenc
ing the price paid by the ultimate con
sumner.
Employees are vitality interested in tn,
earnings OF the roads 1t Is the concern
OF every man to know that the institution
which employs him is kept in condition L
, meet every obligation to him. This may b
styled selfish reasoning, but It is intensel
b human and practical"
Referring to the arguments advanced b.
Louis d. Brandeis in support OF the intro
D duction of methods OF scientific manage
E ment Of railway properties, through whc
: Mr. Brandels believes 81 100000 a day cou
. be saved by the railways, MI Morrissey
p as a practical railroad man, said he di
J. not believe that American wOrkingme
/ would labor under such conditions as h
thought such a system would impose o
70 | them