The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-10
CONFIDENT PUBLIC IS
AGAINST FULL CREW
Railroad Managers Expect
Same Sentiment i'm East
as in Missouri.
ON LABOR VOTE

The movement OF the railroads u New
Jersey and Pennsylvania to take their
case In tho matter OF full crew laws TO
the people for repeal has been brought
about very largely "a the result OF the
successful appeal OF tho railroads to the
crendum vote the full crew laws were
voted out Of existence.
Railroad officials pointed TO the Mis-
souri, case yesterday as the strongest
argument for confidence that as soon as
the public realizes the uselcssness and
expense upon it OF the full crew laws
they will he done away with. Missouri,
said railroad men, was one Of the
strongest antl-railruad States in the
country until campaign of education
brought an overwhelming victory in the
public verdict on full crew laws.
The reference of this case to the
people" said A. j. stone, vice-prcsident
of the Erie Railroad. "a new thing in
railroad effort. is simply a reflection OF
the times. The railroads have conf
dence in the Judgment OF tho public.
They are working in this presentation Of
the case to the people I'm manner per
fecty open and above board. They feel
that the result Will be the same a. In
Missouri by getting the case before
the vo.er, appealing to his common
sense. giving him the facts and letting
him decide the question the railroads
feel we'll assured Of success II is un-
fortunate there rs not a referendum
here.
The railroads aim g. proceed along
educational lines by publishing the facts
and by personal contact. The question
also will he taken up by the officers Of
the railroads with their employees and
patrons.
The object is not TO go TO the legis-
lators directly. though opportunities 10
lay the case before them will not be
missed The programme, however. Is to
put the case directly to the voter. through
whom in turn the legislators Will be in
fluenced In the past the legislative rep
resentatives OF the people have inter
preted public sentiment az being opposed
to the railroads In the full crew laws
The railroads believe. however, that
they are trying to reflect the sentiment
OF the people when they know what this
sent iment is and the railroads believe
public sentiment will be against full
crew laws.
Responsiveness to the labor vote has
| lad much influence. II IL my opinion,
WINE q IliIA vi INC lsAbpl N'Af - SUITS
| fled with the full crew laws. large part
II d!ssatsne and that the weight OF
| labor opinion now is aginst the laws
Mr.. Stone estimated that the full
crew laws OF New Jersey and New York
States in little over a year cost the
Erie about 100000
! The campaign Ina New York state will
toe taken up little later than IN New
Jersey and Pennsylvania. In Indiana
and Ohio similar campaigns are in opera
/ ton. II is estimated that the New York
I state law has cost the New York Cen
I trial about 81 ,00O.0
I'm the case OF the Lehigh Valley the
! amount expended in the payment OF
,X;Ta and unnecessary n"n durin" the
( last year II capitalized at per cent.
would have eliminated 10 per cent. OF
. the grade CROSSINGS on this road said
} President T.. p. Thomas OF the Lchigh
[ Valley yesterday. 1T is IN" most strik-
/ ing example Of unnecessary and economic
/ waste that has ever been presented, and
/ ! am certain II the public uudcI, TODD n
; they would bc rs overwhelmingly
! against u as they were I'm VI -souri.
The most experienced and able train
men, in private conversation. are willing
to admit that IL Us of 10 benefit to the
| railroad or TO themselves, and there can
be no question that Il is "A serious detr-
lmeut to the men themselves, as Il man
/ who draws salary for services that have
no value soon loses his respect for labor
and even for his own value