The Washington herald., 1914-07-30
LAWS AGAINST RAILROADS.
Massachusetts Lesfsi.ture Blamed
for InIurious Lestsiation.


for InIurious Lestsiafion.
MASSACHUSETTS, legislatures used to be
looked upon as possessing a good deal
more sanity and conservatism than the
average American "deliberative' body.
but the favorabie view can be no longer
entertained Within the last year or
two the labor union demagosue has ruled
In the Bav state about az recklessiy as
elsewhere. Two laws have Just been
passed which NAV be cited as examples.
One Ia 10 the effect that Massachusetts,
station employees mot the agent HIMSELF
shalls not be employed over hours In
any 10 hours: and the other that every
person emploved in siEnal towers or at
interiocking switching. machines or in
teleRraphing or telephoning train orders
shall be allowed two days on each month
with regular compensation" Both Of
these laws have in them elements Of
fairness; but both bear the earmarks of
the labor union sDecialIst who sees to it
that the employes themselves shall not
be punished for violations Of the laws
Of health. Men who prefer to work
without suitable rest 30 as to get more
money are never touched by labor union
law. In a large majority Of station
JOco ~ OE CNGu IL u nut an
unhealthful or unsafe period. for the
reason that the men can get rest and
time to eat while on duty II is only a
question Of the reasonableness Of the
comDensation.
Having failed to get what he wanted in
money-wage rate-thA labor specialist
gets the weak-kneed legislators to give
him an hours time. This is the best way
to annoy the railroad company for II will
cost more to supply a relief man for the
hours "lav on" than, II would to pay
the regular man a ptoportionate extra
sum. In the monthly two-days' deduction
scheme. also. the immediate question is
a matter Of pay-and not religion or So
ciai morality. This bill is SO Illogical that
the governor refused to sign II. and il
went into effect because OF his five-days'
silence. The very terms OF the statute
with regular compensation"-reveal its
purpose These tower men all work un-
der the Federal law and have easy hours.
1t would be difficult to prove that eight
hours day Is unhealthful except pos
sible In few hard-worked positions
Presumably these men have fair rates
Of paw. II thev work two days less they
ought to receive pay for two days less.
The terms OF the act do not forbid the
employers to reduce the rate Der day; but
the promoters Of the law can be trusted
to see that this Is not done They know
how railroad managers always yield. in
small matters, to keep the peace. Laws
based on alleged considerations OF health
AFFORD LEGISLATORS their easiest opportuni-
ties 10 make fools OF themselves When
the United States Steel Corporation re-
lieVed lot Of men Of Sunday work,
thousands Of them left and went TO work
for other mills seven days in the week
Others are said to work six DAYS for the
big corporations and also on Sunday for
some other employer. Making men either
healthy or moral. by statute. is a very
difficult matter. 1t is to be hoped that the
process will succeed better with the Mas
sachusetts railroad men than with the
Pennsvlcania steel workers.-Railroad
Age Gazette.