Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1916-09-28


doubtedly exists between it and the
Advocate.
According to certain accusations
which the Advocate is industriously
circulating, the Journal is guilty of
the fragrant and unpardonable crime
of examining into some of the
facts relating to the Great Hold-Up,
otherwise known as the eight-hour
law. OF course these facts are pub
lie, for the railroads make monthly
reports of their affairs to the In
terstate Commerce Commission. But
it seems that whosoever looks into
amy such report is thereby contain
mated and corrupted. The Journal
has drawn upon this source OF in
formation; and therefore, according
to the Advocate, it is engaged in
fighting the railroads battle for
them and is trying even to curry
favor with Wall Street.
1t is of course all bosh and non
ren. Come out of it, Brother Spen-
Ger. Our merry little quarrel is not
going to be settled by personal
reflections and abuse. The Journal
awards the palm to the Advocate
for this particular accomplishment.
Suppose, then, that we omit this
phase of the entertainment in the
future.
Why not get down to facts in
stead? The Journal is NOT misin-
formed and it is not misrep-
resenting the truth. 1t insists
that the only rational way to de-
termine the ultimate effect of the
so-called eight hour law is to look
into the earnings of the railroads in
mormal or average years rather
than in this year of abnormal pro
fits. which has never been eQualled
before and probably will never be
equalled again. And it has said, and
1t now repeats, that a considerable
number of important railways made
less than one per cent on thell
common stock during the five years
preceding 1915. 1t can name then
if you wish. 1t secured it's infor
NATION just as anyone else Nigh
have secured it. Is this treason:
Then make what you can of it.
Let us make it "tit for tat
The Journal is ready to back W
its statement of fact. Can the Ad
vocate do likewise? The Advocate
has said that "a great many rail
roads long ago recognized thu
eight-hour law ard adopted it be
fore this matter was ever consld
cred by Congress'; and also tha
there are several hundred thousand
employees of such railroads. Th
question is, Cam the Advocate nam
some OF these numerous railroad
that are on the eight-hour basis
We wish to know just what road
they are, since there are so mang
of them. Come along, please, witt
the details. The journal knows tn
facts in the case; but it is perfect
ly willing to let the Advocate cor
rect it's own blunders. Let us hay
this one Strengthened out
If the Advocates statement wer
true, it would mean something il
~, Ia Nl,nI I>1 not
of the eight-hour law. The troubl
is that it is not true. Hence, thi
urgent invitation to the Advocat
to correct it,
The Journals statement is true
Its readers may ask just what beal
ing it has upon the eight-hour law
it make that some railroads in MOI
NAL years are, like some bushes
men, barely able to make end
meet? 1t actually makes a lot c
difference. These weaker roads mu:
have an increase In rates whe
normal times return to cover the bi
increase in wages. Nothing unde
heaven cam be more certain tina
this, for the railroads must kee
running ard the laws may not b
confiscatory. But do you think tina
the weak roads wi get this increas
in rates and the prosperous road
none?
We all know better. 1t isn't don
this way. An increase MUST e
feet all alike; and ALL rates mus