The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1912-08-24
RESPONSIBILITY OF
LABOR ORGANIZATIONS.

During the past decade wag" III
crcaaes ami public requirement Il
constantly increased and become
more pronounced. gradually rednc.
ing the ne, revenue.
The reduction has continued IN
I'll the railroads are unable to con
tinue wage increases aud th'a has
produced u serious and new c"ndl
ton which should ho fairly consld
cred in the interest of the common
carrier aud the whole publ"
Thcae conditions have developed
tho concerted Movement 80 call
cd and the elimination Of individu
al conferences and consideration
bet wecn the railroad companies
and their organized employees
Organized Labor haa been growing
more powerful and ia now control
led nv able and nggressiv" leaders,
VIII" have organized 40 called "b"g
ialativc Boards in Washington,
and the ma joiIty Of states. and il
ia conceded that the machinery "t
these Legislative boards II VOL or
gained and all powerful
The power invested in the Labor
leaders, will, tho absence VI 80.
alonsihilrty, il alarming While
they have the vote and endorse
memt Of the men they represent,
yet, II il apparent to those who
know. that til" moving api'it il
til" leader or the leader and hia
staff.
In the past Eve years tho com
pany ! represent has received five
ntrlkr votes The leader in charge
claimed he had tho power To stop
tho highways ~ this country an,l
expressed hia intention to exercise
u. 10 appreciate the gravity Of
this situation, imagine any other
individual tho President Of \
Railroad o. jtH directors asau.nlug
TO stop the public highways for
any reaso" and deprive forty 10 Gf
ty millions Of citizrus Of the n.ccs
sites Of l,fe
IL such an attempt were made
some lawful drastic action wonl.i
immediately follow, aud yet, 1T
this period. there in no law to ,c-
strain such action, or hetc, mine
th's responsibility of the labo,
leaders. VIII" possess this great
power and who have repeated,
stated their intention ~ excvc.. Ne
u. The best test "f their powe,
is f"' the general public to IT.
tempt Z" paAs Federal Law 10
place responsibility upon Organiz
oil Labo, engaged in interstate
traffic. IL the common carriers
are responsible to the public as
operating agents, why should not
employees. organized Or otherwise.
be held Responsible to some extent
to perform their duties to the pub
lie as part Of the completes tran
sPortation organizations Organic
Ell labor appears 10 resent every
effort to apply such responsibility.
There need he no undue sent.
ment regarding any class Of labor
We are dealing with 1t is all
honorable aud worthy Of its hire.
The engineers are engaged IN u
ve'y landable desire to secure an
increase in their compensation.
The inability to pay was clearly
explained to them, but such evi
dence was not effective and it is
regretted that one Of the strongest
and most intelligent Of organiza
tons iH not Influenced by the ma
bility to pay, which IL essential to
proper solution Of industrial
problems A President of y
strong tabor organization within II
year requesting substantial in
crease was asked by the Committee
whether he had considered the
ability Of the railroads to pay aud
where the money was to come
from. lie replied that he was moi
q tinanc'er and really did not
know, and yet he had the power
to stop the wheels of every rail
road IN the United States.
Organized labor il constant in
it's endeavor to benefit its members
and has done good, but il should
gua,d against the danger vi IN
limited power Great power
unrestricted and constantly anc
cessful requires q broader c,n',ol,
consideration and direction, and
there il constant danger that in
the exercise Of such powe,
it may encrOach upon the right of
those not possessed Of equal pow
or and strength.
Stating my own personal views.
it in prOvter to regulate the com
mon carrier, but 1t il equally as
essential to regulate labor organ,
cations engaged in public transpor
tatiOD, the purpose being TO main
tain the principles Df property
tights and the continued prosperi
" OF this country under Onr imma.