Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-08-31

vsrsy. ana II there were not Thousands
Of railway employees not allied with the
trainmsn, the parties involved should
be allowed to settle the matter them
selves.
Stock Widely Distributed.
He said the railroads are no longer
owned by the bankers. but their stock
is widely distributed.
1.-THE bankers OF the country said
Judge Lovett, have not attempted to
dictate the position Of the roads in
this controversy. I myself have only
received one message from . banker.
urging that we accept the Presidents
proposal.
1T is my deliberate judgment that
there Is no class of labor in tho United
States working under better conditions
than the railroad men. 1t Is hard work
all
Judge Lovett said the railroad on
Gals regard the present problem as one
that should be settled by arbitration.
1t was clear. he said. that the proposed
legislation would put the burden Of in
creased wages foS the men on the peo-
pie of the country
Public Must Pay the Bill.
"Just as certain as the sun sets. the
public will pay the bill.'' he said Rail
roads have no income except what they
earn. That depends on the rates they
can get
To put in effect tho eight hour day
would cost the roads about $50, ZOO, 0Uo
a year and the overtime demands OF
the brotherhoods about $4o.ooo,o00. said
Judge Lovett.
1T is . prime public question who is
entitled to that $6O.o00.00o these men
or the public" he said.
My understanding OF this matter is
that what the men want Is an increase
in wages. If Congress proposed to
enact law to make them work only
eight hours. they would be up in arms
Responsibility on Congress.
The position of the roads was de-
clared by Judge Lovett to be that the
| matters in dispute should be arbitrated
by the interstate commerce commits
| sion. or any impartial tribunal. He,
said the men say now they cannot wait
and cannot call of the strike order
| while Congress investigates and pre-
pares legislation.
IF this burden of $50, 1000. 900 is put on
the public because Of this legislation
now proposed the responsibility will
be on Congress. not on the railroads.
said Judge Lovett I'VE have done our
utmost to settle this dispute, except to
surrender what we think vital prin-
cfple," he continued. IF this demand
is successful, If they can under duress-
force out this 1000, 900. Congress- win
be called upon to pass a law providing
for overtime and the other burden of
| $40.000.0oo in turn will be passed on
| to the public
Win Abide by Law.
The issue here" said Judge Lovett,
'is whether the one hundred million
people in this country are to be put at
| the feet Of $4,000 workmen. Person
| ally and as a railroad officer, propose
| to run railroads according to law. If
the judgment Of the country is that
there is nothing for US to do but sub
nit, we will abide by 1t. The RESPONSE
bility is no longer mine.
THE railroads will struggle on and
meet the additional expense imposed
on US in the best way we! can, know :
| to the public. But don't believe that
the people of this country will endure
any system, whether it is Wall street
or elsewhere, whereby the power is
lodged in q few men to paralyze the
nations life, and say, a. Mr.. Garretson
will say to you, that they Will not
abide by the resolution read by the
chairman Ito postpone the strike dats),
whether 1t is enacted or not.
IF you put this burden upon US we
must abide by it, but I think Il would
pened in the history Of this country to
force this upon us with the hands Of four
men on our threats"