New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-27
Holds Unions irresponsible.

' Zee lTfSlu'nt StudIl OF the Erie VINO
is chairman Of the conference committee
of the railroads which arranged ,or the
arbitration Of the present dispute with
the Brotherhood OF Locomotive Engineers
INDUCED In tn" morning in a broad Criti-
ciSm Of the responsibility OF the unions
controlling transportation service. In
speaking OF the present dispute he said:
Tho community was confronted by a
crisis, and il Is needless for me TO en-
large upon the gravity of that crisis |
can simply say, to avoid that crisis, the
chief Justice OF the supreme Court Of
the United States. the Commissioner of
Labor and the Chiaf of the Commerce
Court Jointly selected you gentlemen.
We have not settled anything RS yet.
We might settle what ] might call this
local affair. but Is the country 10 be con-
frontcd with crisis every few months
or are We to 20 through all OF this dim
Guilty without learning lessonY | think
not 7 think. and am In hope. that this
f. only a stepping stone FOR better solu-
tIOn 81 these difficulties.
II YOU gentlemen deny the engineers all
they ask for. will they be satisfied?
At the end of the year there is no doubt,
based on previous experience, that this
country VIII again nc confronted with
crisis.
Take the other side OF II: II the rail-
roads lose all this will they be any bet
ter of than they are In their inability TO
meet these conditions that | nave clted
and to meet the public requirements?
The power invested In the labor leaders
with tho absence of responsibility Is
alarming. Will. they have the vote and
Endorsement of the men they represent.
Vet IL Is apparent to those who know
that the moving spirit Is the leader or the
leader and his stan.
In tn" last 1--WE years the company l
represent has received five strike votes.
The leader I'm charge asserted he had the
power TO stop the highways Of this coun-
try and expressed his intention TO exer-
else IT, To appreciate the gravity Of this
situation, imagine any other individual
president of railroad or its directors
assuming To stop the public highways for
any reason and deprive forty TO ffty mill
ions Of citizens Of the necessities OF life.
Urges Federal Legislation.
If such an attempt were made some
lawful drastic action would Immediately
follow. and yet at this period there is no
law 10 cover the action or determine the
responsibility OF the leaders who possess
this great power and who have repeat
eddy stated their intention to exercise II.
The best test OF their power Is for the
general public to attempt TO pass a fed
eral law 10 place responsibility upon or
Ganized labor engaged In Interstate traf-
ilc.
II the common carriers are responsible
10 the public as operating agents. why
should not employees. organized or other
wise, he held Responsible 10 some extent
To perform their duties to the public as
part Of the complete transportation or
ganiZatIon? Organized labor appears TO
resent every effort to apply responsibility.
Mr.. Stuart said the Interstate Com
merce Commission had made these pre-
dictions the basis for their decision
against an increase of railroad rates:
The cost OF supplies will not much ad-
vance.
Wages will not much increase.
The demands OF the public will continue
TO grow.
Then he noted what he called the COM
missions final conclusion, as follows:
II actual results should demonstrate
that our forecast OF the future II wrong.
there might be ground for asking fur
Their consideration OF this subject.
Bur it should he further said that be-
fore any general advance can be per-
mitted II must appear with reasonable
certainty that carriers have exercised
proper economy In the purchase Of their