The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-09-06
ADAMSON BILL AND
THE GOLDEN RULE
r. S. Childs Warns Laborers that Pub
lie Sympathy Demands that EN-
ployers' Rights Be Respected.
Editor of The Reformer:-

Editor OF The Ret0rmer:-
For the timely emergency eight hour
Adamson bill passed decisively by both
houses of congress and promptly signed
by President Wilson, there is nation
wide relief and rejoicing. But there
are many Americans who do not regard
this air-brake measure as surrender
of any rights which the government.
the employer or the employed may
have. The measure is universally de-
fensible as means of ayerting trans
portatiOn paralysis and suffering, leav.
ing to the second session of congress
the power of amendment along lines of
wisdom and justice.
Right is not altogether with either
the trainmen or the railroads, and some
more equitable basis of compensation
must be reached to justify the claim
of brotherhood which rests upon the
broad principle of fraternity and eaui.
ty. The government s duty will not be
done until it demands concessions from
both sides, making future strikes inn
possible under heavy penalties and sum
mary punishment.
1t is possible that an equitable scale
of mileage with Just compensation fol
trainmen may be agreed upon and in
corporated in federal law. Senator I'm
derwood s offered amendment giving
the Interstate Commerce commission
power to fix wages and rates. was a
forward step in safeguarding the pub
lie and its business against future
strike orders.
Why should the passenger conduc
tor, who is in service three to five
hours daily on express trains Boston
to Springfield, New Haven to New
York, Syracuse to Albany, and Cleve
land to Cineinnati) receive virtually
the same compensation as the conduc
tor who serves nine to 10 hours on long
distance runs, like the Springfield
White River Junction rum To base a
trainman 8 pay upon his hours of ser.
vice would be both just and equitable
While public sympathy has been sc
| largely with the employed it viii not
be continued unless trade unionists re
spect the rights of the employer. Tn:
masses of the people toll long and la
l'borious hours against the smaller mum
Der who clamor for the eight hour-a
day and render to the employer six oil
seven, while Brotherhood is emblazonef
upon its banners. The violation of this
great principle is bringing unionized
labor into merited disrepute.
When the carpenter, painter, plumb
er, mason and government emplove, OF
q member of any other trade. seeks tc
include in his day S labor of eight hours
the time required to transport him (by
conveyance or on FOOT to his field OF
employment he robs his employer the
same as though he stole from him q
tangible equivalent There is no dis
tinction. Safety and the interests OF
the employer also forbid continuous
smoking during employment in frame
buildings and there is no wisdom in
the head of the workman who, while
loudly processing brotherhood, studies
how he can shirk his honest obligation
to the employer. Is he unmindful OF
| the fact that this is the goth century
and that Christianity has been at work
1000 years humanizing men S hearts
Remember, dear workman, of what
| ever field of effort, that the ire of the
people is growing larger because OF
your lapses and that an awakened pub
lie sentiment insists that vou labor
| honestly throughout the hours for which
You are generously paid.
ROLLIN $. CHILDS.
Brattleboro, Sept 6.