Arizona republican., 1916-09-20

to stand in the way of the railroads | increasing their revenue to meet in | creasing expenses so far as develop ment of their business and of their administrative efficiency did not prove adequate to meet them.
 We may pause to ask what Is the l significance of this reference to ob- stacle of law The law provides for reasonable rates, and an appropriate percentage for fixing of reasonable rates by the interstate commerce commission. Were these proceedings and the provisions of law the 'ob-. stacles Of law to which reference was made2 Were they to he overcome. if necessary. to accomplish the desired increase?
 Tt must be understood that the bur den in increased rates is passed on to the public. IL necessarily affects a host of activities. agricultural and in dustrial
 Increased wages for selected class es of men or railroads might result Tn restrictions on a great number of other Workingmen not only those en- ployed by railroads. but upon those employed in industries throughout the country, if the latter be required to ooerate under increased transportation charges
 Again what becomes of present ad - justments and business agreements relating to the men whose services are involved in this bill if wages are fixed bv law in this manner? "Manfestly we have here an ex- tremely intricate question of rates and outlays. What was the manifest duty of the eNecutive2 Plainly to insist tha. investigation should precede action and that nothing should be yielded to force. It was stated by the executive in his address to congress that tho matter had been agitated for more l than year. Why then was it not investigated? Could not the adminis- traitor command all necessary ma chinery for fair ard thorough inquiry Not only did the administration fai to take proper action on it's own ini- tiative. but the business men of tho . country appealed in vain to the ad- l ministration for investigation. Their request won no favorable action. Time was allowed to run and ther 1 came the surrender that shocked tho people through the land. Was tho crisis unforeseen2 Why was 1t per mitted to arise when the adminstra ton was forewarned2 I stand for thu principle of arbitration in industria disputes. Labor, least of ali can af- ford to have that principle surren' dered. Ii is n civilized method. al opposed to the injurious contests O force, which impoverish labor and i'm peril the social order. The essence Q the matter is fair and reasonable hearing Of all parties concerned and ; just determination according to tn ' facts
 Railroad companies refusing arbi tration have been condemned at thu bar of public opinion. and great prog ress has been made in the direction Q peaceful and reasonable settlement o labor disputes.
 "To say that fair and prompt arbi tration could not have been had in thi case is to indict both the administration and the American people,
 MT. Hughes held that there was m justification of the yielding of princi pie. Of those who sought to excus the administration on the ground O emergency he would would ask, he said How far do you propose to yield t
 forceY' Asserting that force "can re ject courts as well as arbitration, tha it can dispose with any part of the or derly procedure of government whicl it may oppose MT. Hughes continued When force is proposed and arbi
 tration is refused, there is but on
 stand to take and that is to appeal {
 
 cate the processes of reason. Had tn u executive, when arbitration was de
 clined, at once directed the entire fore of public opinion, as he easily could. { r. the demand for the recognition of tn b principle of arbitration, I have no dout
 he would have won, and the natio N would have been his debtor Had the executive gone at once { congress for immediate authority { secure prompt and thorough investiga
 tion of the stated grievances in ad vance of action, and had he thus mad instant provision for an inquiry E entirely competent as to command th r respect of the country I am satisfie U there could have been no strike. w
 are still ruled by public opinion. an
 no administration need fear results
 1t stands firmly for essential prime
 pie"
 Mir. Hughes explained that he wa U not speaking of the propriety or advi'
 ability of fixing wages by law. but
 more fundamental question-legisls
 tion according to the facts, as oppose
 to legislation under pressure in the al
 sence of inquiry. He continued:
 We have undoubtedly too much let
 islation without adequate consideratio
 but there are usually the form ar
 presumptions of legislative consider;
 tion on the merits of proposals. He
 even those were absent.
 Within a few hours, on demand the administration. congress provide
 mandatory increase of wages, invol'
 ing millions of dollars, without any id'
 whether the increase was or was n
 justified