Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-05-05
Praises Mediation Board.

mistakes. II MS Judgment IS not Eoou
That is the check on leaders which the
system we have built up provides"
Praises Mediation Board.
Mr.. Ferham said that the United
States board of Cancellation and media
ton. formed under the Newlands act.
settlement of labor troubles. He said
that mediation was far preferable to
arbitration.
Mr. Ashton asked about the Canadian
law, ana Mr.. Perham replied that he
ala not approve it entirely because
IL prevented the men from going on
strike.
But only for short period" said
Mr. Ashton.
One minute would he too limo -
replied Mr.. Perham
Freedom is our goal in this country,
and we insist upon the right to strike.
10 qult work at the moment we wish,''
he added.
Mr. Perham explained that this did
not mean that the labor organizations
always favored strikes
Under questions by Commissioner
OConnell. Mr.. Perham testified that
while as president of the union ne had
right to veto a strike, he did not have
any right to order strike
can only approve a strike after
two-thirds of the organization has
voted for it," he explained.
MT. Perham testified that only
through legislation, which had been
mad the labor men succeeded in getting
reduction of the hours of labor
Hints at Secret Service.
our testimony yesterday" said Mr..
OConnell, would lead one to think
'hal you maintained a secret service
system similar to that you charge the
pennsylvania railroad maintains Is it
not TACT that the men who made re-
ports 10 you are not drawn from de-
tectlFe agencies. but are regular men,
oers and employees of the order of te-
legraphers, organizers of the union ."
es replied Mr.. Perham.
WI 1ohneii asked about conditions
ME- Perham testified that the Penn
ssNama railroad controlled the bust
ness, the courts and the newspape Of
A A;,' and made free speech impos-
stpIe mere Public meetings could not
be held in Altoona without the consent
OF the company. he said
It's q clear case of my company, tits
Oh .hee l sing, said Mr.. Perham
commissioner Weinstock asked how
many railway telegraphers there are ir
the country. Mr.. Perham replied thai
there are $4,000. of which number Is.
900 are now organized.
Could Not Tie Up Railroads.
If you could organize the ent,r.
number OF telegraphers, and should
Strike, you could tie up the whole sys.
tenn OF railroads in the country" asked
Mr. Weinstock. Mr.. Perham replied
that this was not quite true, since the
trains could be operated without telee.
raphers. and had been. at one time
He admitted that If a general strike
such as pictured should occur it would
cause paralysis of considerable bust.
ness.
But such a strike will never occur,
added Mr.. Perham.
You will admit that anything tina,
is possible may happen, / think" sug-
gested Mr.. Weinstock. And 1t is pos.
| sible that general strike may occur
Would il be fair to have one-twentiett
| of ! per cent of the entire population
Of the country tie up the traffic ane
| business of the country? Would 1t moi
| be better to adopt system like
Canada's which prevents a strike unit
a body appointed by the employees anc
the state can have an opportunity t.
consider the matters In controversy
instead of permitting a small portion
| of the population to strike at mo
ment's notice and tie up the country,
| business
Il do not worship business, ! wor
ship freedom, replied Mr. Perham.
Remembers Lincoln's Words.
do you remember that Abraham Lin
coin once said he thanked God tina
the workingman in America coul