Evening journal., 1915-12-09
Elisha Lee Defends
Management of Railroads

way DlDNiutN otINlct WHICH Is n
necessity OF the entire people and the
interruption OF this service would
prove to be a national calamity. Wage
increases in this industry arc usually
sooner or later shifted TO the should
ers of the people at large in the form
o. increased rates. The public's in
tcrest in railway labor controversies
is supreme and should assert itself
far more effectively than it has thus
far In the consideration or adoption
OF any plans for wage regulation.
"At the present time we see very
little in the papers about labor move
ment on the railroads, but as a mat
ter of fact the pot is seething hot A
movement is now on foot TO secure
the association of all the train or
ganizations in one united demand
upon the roads On many OF the
railway systems federation OF the
four brotherhoods is in effect and on
others working agreements exist be-
tween two or three of the organiza-
tions. Faced by this new ideal OF
united labor force i'm an undivided
country. the public may we'll give
heed and devote its best thought TO
consideration OF its own interest in
the outcome
In recent negotiations and arbi-
tratioa proceedings demand for
Standardization has been more or less
vigorously pressed the same pay for
the same work in the same class of
service, whether train operation is on
single or double track, in mountain
GUS or level country, in branch or
main line service, on lines Of heavy or
light traffic. But the Standardization
wanted is standardization upward as
was very frankly stated in a recent
controversy by one Of the labor lead
ers and leaves the high spots plainly
i'm view.
"The result OF such Standardization
is TO raise the lower end OF the wage
scale regardless Of work performed
or responsibility incurred. Results
obtained under such conditions have
been attained in a haphazard fashion
and are attended by much discrimina-
ton
"There has been little In the process
up TO the present time that could be
designated as scientific. such Ques-
tions often being settled from the
standpoint Of immediate eXpediency
"NO final solution of so perpleXinp
q problem as that OF the relations OF
capital and labor is expected within
the near future. but we should begin
at once to give serious thought to the
whole question and thus lay the
foundation for a larger participation
on Of hn fr. ,A
tlement OF disputes in which its inter-
est is paramount
In the foregoing remarks do not
understand me that l am criticizine
the individual or the great mass OF
railroad employees. l know of no finer
body of men generally than the EN-.
| ployes OF the railroads today. They
are hard working, conscientious meI
who are sincerely and devotedly do
ing their work-often under most try
ing circumstances. at great persona
inconvenience and discomfort an
sometimes even at personal risk an
danger. / would venture the CUES
that we have very slight, II any. faul
to find with ninoty-eight per cent o
the employees. and / am proud OF th
fact that IL is my good fortune Z,
work with them
This is a question. however. tina
is not only taxing the brains Of the of
/ iicials but is also uppermost in tn
minds OF many OF the rank and I'll
and we are all endeavoring seriousl.
4 to find an adjustment fair and equit
able to all parties concerned.
while many men have made grea
4
college education is recognized to
day as giving a man a distinct gaiT
over the man who has not a college
education. But a college education Il
just start and no man can continue
I TO advance unless he continues to stud,
| his chosen profession or life work
He must always be looking for tn
! fundamentals. He must be a thinker
He must bring the working Of train
ed mind 10 his problems, some oil,
and some new.
"a college education II properl,
assmilated teaches one how to think
/ College work trains the mind so tina
10 follows logically from cause to 'ef
feet or from effect to cause
above all. use common sense. ant
] II eOu MdNtH 7 a TtiNf vi MuMOAf iil
deavor TO cultivate one.
"Be an optimist not a pessimisi
One OF the best definitions of a pessi
mist have heard is a person who /
seasick on the voyage of life Thos
Of you who have been seasick ca
appreciate the definition. A pessimis
D. is a difficult man in any organization
He throws more or less cold water o
all propositions; he is not a pleasan
person to have around II is Difficult
for any one 10 cooperate with him.
"The valuable man in any busines
7 is the man who can cooperate wit
. other men. Men succeed only as the
utilize the services and ideas Of othe
q men"