The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1914-05-23
HITS AT RAILROAD UNIONS.

HITS AT RAILROAD UNIONS. #% -
Representative Stevens of New Hampshire is the
author of bill, H. R. 10518 designed to increase the
powers Of the Interstate Commerce Commission by
tending it's jurisdiction authorizing it to regulate the
railroads relative to 1.-The kind NUMBER and condition
of its equipment and facilities the operating rules,
laon and methods train schedules size of train
hours of labor of employees other matter touch
ing the operation of trains engaged in interstate for
The principle of this bill is dangerous in the ex-
IRENE, in that the Interstate Commerce Commission
would be clothed with authority to change arbitrarily
the conditions of labor the railroads. thus inter-
fering with the prerogaves of the railroad brotherhoods
and other organizations in negotiating with the several
railroad corporations the purpose securing
latons, rates of hours of labor etc. that are
mutually satisfactory.
While it would be unfair to any asperson the
motives of the ntroducer of the BILL the
hides from view exceedingly subtle and farreaching
power, dangerous the welfare of the nation itself
If the bill should become law, and thus the to
regulate the conditions appertaning to labor be con-
ferred the Interstate Commerce Commission there
would be for the railroad interests seek
ing control appointment of the members of the
commission 1t is not at all improbable that under such
conditions future commissions might be hostile to the
interests the workers and might use their great
and irresponsible power to- their injuryA future In
terstate Commerce Commission might issue an order
which would be subyersve to the interests of the
ployes of the various RAILROADS.&C. obnoxious, indeed
to preciptate strike the railroads. Should
this the strike would be against the order of
department of the United States and would
thus place the employees of the railroads in embarrass
ing position not of their making.
In other words, it may be that many of the railroad
FAVORABLE to this sort of legislation
upon the single theory that in the event of strike
railroad the result of the issuance of orders
from the Interstate Commerce Commission relative to
labor conditions, they could take refuge behind the
forces of government. ..~
Wherever control personal relations is dele
gated to outside authority not selected by those
affected by the determinations, there has been estab
lished menace to. individual freedom. Whenever the
powers of government be invoked to enforce
sonal relations there is of liberty Defiance Of
governmental ordersmust besut in the of govern
ment force government loses it's power. The work.
cannot give personal freedom for which they
have fought and Which they by their ef-
FORTS Therefore is the part of wisdom and patriotism
to the enactment of legislation that result
in conflicts between the workers and the government.
. A law Of this character would also entirely sweep
away the system Of the employees of railroads negotiat
ing with the managers thereof for the purpose of adj
justng grievances and settling CONTROVERSIES which arise
between empoyers>and employees. 1t would crush out
the initiative and spirit of selfhelp that have made
railroad employees such splendid and citizens The
representatives of the American Federation of Labor
and the representatives of the railroad broherhoods
have. been and actively engaged in opposing
this with confident expectation of success: