Omaha daily bee., 1916-08-30

existing ten-hour basis OF pay and
service; that should appoint, with
the permission of congress, small
commission to observe the results OF
the change, carefully studying the
figures of the altered operating costs,
not only, but also the conditions OF
labor under which the men worked,
and the operation of their existing
agreements with the railroads, with
instructions to report the facts as
they found them to congress at the
earliest possible day, but without
recommendation; and that after the
facts had been thus disclosed, adjust
nent should in some orderly manner
be sought OF all the matters row left
unadjusted between the railroad man
ayers and the men,.
Cites Opinion of Court.
These proposals were exactly in
line, it is interesting to note, with
the position taken by the supreme
court OF the United States when ap-
pealed to to protect certain ltigants
from the financial losses which they
confidently expected if they should
submit to the regulation OF their
charges and OF their methods of serv-
ice by public legislation. The court
has held that it would not undertake
to form judgment upon forecasts,
but could base its action only upon
actual experience; that it must be
supplied with facts, not with calcula-
tons and opinions, however scientih-
cally attempted. To undertake to ar
bitrate the question of the adoption
of an eight-hour day in the light OF
results merely estimated and predict
ed would be to undertake an enter
prise of conjecture. No wise man
could undertake it, or il he did under
take it could feel assured OF his con-
illusions.
| Il unhestitatingly offered the
friendly services to the railway man
ayers to see to it that justice was
done the railroads in the outcome.
! felt warranted in assuring them no
obstacle OF law would be suffered to
stand in the way Of their increasing
their revenues to meet the expenses
resulting from the change so far as
the development OF their business and
of their administrative efficiency did
not prove adequate to meet them. The
public and the representatives of the
public, felt justified in assuring
them, were disposed to see nothing
but justice in such cases and were
willing to serve those who serve
them.
Brotherhoods Accept Plan.
Representatives of the brother
hoods accepted the plan, but the rep
resentatives OF the railroads declined
to accept it. In the face of what
cannot but regard as the practical Ger
tainty that they will be ultimatel,
obliged to accept the eight-hour da,
by the concerted action Of organized
labor, backed by the favorable judg
ment OF society, the representative
of the railway arrangements have tel
justified In declining peaceful settle
ment which would engage all the fore
es OF justice, public and private, OF
their side to take care Of the event
They fear the hostile influence OF ship
pers, who would be opposed to an in
crease OF freight rates (for which
however, OF course, the public itsel
would pay); they apparently feel n
confidence that the Interstate Com
merce commission could withstand tn
\ objections that would be made. The
J do not care to rely upon the friendl
4 assurances OF the congress Or IN
Ipresidcnt; they have Thought II pes
: that they should be forced to yielt
: II they must yeiio: NOT oy counss si,, ~
! by the suffering OF !he county on WIN;
: nroaress and when N iii outward ar
i p..s.nces these conferences had com
o r. standst;ll The representatives {
!. he brotberhoods suddenly acted an
~. IL str;Le Cor Sentember 4
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mater upon 'ne .. .o" ,h.u.a,a s a.
mus, d. any 49, g.. far .hs nr;,c
inc county, s:anu III III W. pI
: PIE OF ato'!ral.o,, wiz" .a,..., ,na nc
II Ieleeteu. psssu x taars 900, ~ :,
It lhe lIaisPu'ao az . anh;.rat;o, RI
!. means OF ootainins anp, s.s .a.,
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n meuiation hSu fancy W nV srn, g.
d men m tne ieas. ..t;,.s. ;a and -,
IS inc prmclpie u a'o.ea. S - anu ~. T. :,
i not &c. arol.ia .I; se ,ars .h y, fu,;i
y ,iie, anu so'Ie.ns s,..,iah,. 4;
n because u ihsoiseu ny a uousso,,,n W.
l. ,ress 70 ''e eoun..s, anu .h"p az,
Y. IN some rsspeets WoiS ~. ''. ,,;ds. o ,
e OF war, ana 'ha' III INC '"u''
II peace
it Arbitration Not Practicable Now.
It az Weld TO no man in firm adhe
ir ence. alike OF conviction and OF pu