Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-08-31

mately accomplish nothing. I believe
II every man, whatever his occupation
n life, making the most Of his oppor-
tunities and selling his labor or his
in the best market and
For the highest price. This principle
gives him no right to rob by violence
Dr. take in any way by the power
Of force what does not fairly beiong,
to him. 1 also believe that its To the
duty of the State, through the funo-I
tons of government, In some way to,
possess the power. and to haNs the
ability to settle disputes of this ma
ture, the same as 1t does other. dis
putes between man and man without
violence in any form or kind. We
should be governed in all things by
reason and intelligence. Civil govern
ment is based upon principals of the
most complete protection to the citi-
zen both his person and his property,
and to see that every one has equal
advantages and opportunity under the
law.
Tt takes great patience and an end
less amount of work to develop a civil
government and keep it apace with the
rapidly changing conditions In all OF
our economic relations in a country
which is having such rapid develop
ment as ours, but am pleased to note
that in our good State of Maine, we
have been most progressive in our
and have kept abreast and
In many cases ahead of the times in
all such matters, and the fair and in
telligent support which all those In
authority have had from the railroad
employees of this State, has been no
small factor in the accomplishment
of this splendid condition. I think
l can say that in Maine, we are iiv-
ing In condition of Industrial peace,
and perhaps in more prosperity than
IN many other states in the Union Our
railroads and all those in its employ
have been useful factors in bringing
about theis splendid condition.
P. ]. Ceyle of Boston, president of
the Brotherhood of Railway Station
Employees, who held a convention in
thls city two years ago. was the next
speaker. Mr.. Coyle is known to rail-
road men throughout the State, and
his welcome was second only to the
fine ovation afforded Governor Haines.
Mr. Coyle said in part:
Experience has taught us that leg
lslation is necessary to protect and
the human end OF things, we
are frequently told that we expect too
much from legislation, that legisla-
ton cannot do all things. There is
some measure of truth in these state
ments, Just as there is some measure
OF truth in most everything, yet we
Know from experience that MANY
things have been secured by legisla-
tion, which if left to the initiative and
generosity of directors of systems.
would never come about. Hence there
Is necessity for continued legislation.
II we are to have it We must work
Tor 1t-and we must work together and
work intelligently Not only should
we work for local legislation, but we
should labor for uniformity of legis-
latlon In all of the states where our
common employment exists.
1t was early found necessary to Iegis-
late for industry and as time passed on
and new industrial conditions arose ad-
1itional legislation became necessary
Uniformity in legislation is always de-
5lrahle. but in matters which concern the
railroad 1t may be said to be impera-
lively necessary. To us who are familiar
with the railroads of New England, a
of legislation concerning our
employment is highly desirable. In fact
too much cannot be said In behalf of mi
viewed from the stand
point OF the employer or employed. Prac-
leatly 1t is the only sensible thing. WHY
should we have four different sets OF
rules governing the same emplovrnent
simply because the railroad happens TO
run into that number of states? The or
iinary individual endowed with the av-
srage amount of common sense will i'm
healateiy answer we should not have
men, that there should be one set of
'uies applicable to the .whole-in other
words, the laws should be uniform"
F. c. Condor OF Boston, vice president
If the International Carworkers, Assoc
nation, and R. j. searns,. general chair
nan OF the New Haven system of rail-
way clerks. appeared as a deputy of the
grand president, and each spoke along
ne lines of cooperation and federation.
As 1t has been the object of the various
lnions on the railroad to unite In one
great order the speakers dwelt chiefly
m the advantages to be derived from,
nat movement. MIR. Condor did not go
is deeply into the matter as Mr.. stearns.
who said that through his organization.
nat of the railway clerks. was the in
ant OF such unions, it had a member
nip of 100000 in the United States and
>anada, and was an important factor in
he commercial life of today and should
Re so considered. He touched upon cor
'oratons, which he claimed TO be an Or
of dollars, as compared with
he unions which are Organizations of
men. Men. said Mr.. Stearns, should
re considered before dollars. and any
government that does not give its men
reference to dollars fails to fulfill even
ne greatest of its obligations" Com
inulng, Mr.. Stearns further argued that
aoor is but emulating the example set
y corporations in interlinking the
mailer one with the larger TO rthe BEN
fit of the whole
Fred w. Clair of Waterville, an attor.
ey, talked very Interestingly on the his.
DRY OF labor organizations. which were