American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1916-09-14

believe l speak more nearly the senti-
ments of these men, that all We had
to do was to give evidence of good
faith in our determination to enter
upon this investigation and to adjust
it fairly as between all parties.
But, sir, if indeed we are up against
the proposition that we are dealing
with a body of men who would not
permit congress to have the facts or to
take time to investigate and to pass
intelligently upon them, if l have
placed too high an estimate upon the
men, and we are yielding to the sug-
gestion and the dictation and the di-
rection of these men, then, indeed. the
congress OF the United States has met
the great crisis of its history. If in
deed, sir, we are met here with a de-
mand which we can not postpone for
information, which we must xecute
with inforcation, and, most of all,
if we propose to execute 1t without in
formation, then indeed the spirit of
the fathers has departed and the trad
itions of. this body will soon be turned
to shame and humiliation. If we are
face To face with that proposition,
then let US meet it with the spirit and
courage which become the senator's of
a great free republic. Let us defy 1t
on the threshold and call upon all the
powers of the government to move
these trains and protect organized So
ciety.
Places Labor Where?
And let us see, further, in what po-
sition organized labor is placing itself.
The able senator from Alabama (Mr.
underwood) has offered an amend
ment to this bill which provides for
the fixing of wages, which, in effect,
would put the wage question under
the control of the interstate commerce
commission.
| want to warn the union labor
men of this country that that is the
inevitable logic of the position which
we occupy when we pass his bill. ]
want to say that the American people
will never permit congress to pass the
kind of legislation unless there ac-
companies 1t provision for a tribunal
which shall be clothed with the au-
thority and the power to make full in
v~estigation and to fix wages for all
men engaged in the service of the
public utilities.
Have Conceded Right.
The workingmen of the country
have now conceded the right of con.
gress to fix wages, because, as said b,
the senator from Iowa, that is the rea
contest. That is the concession
which. in my judgment, If il we're sub
mitted to the 400, 900 men represented
here. would be voted down by a vot,
of IS per N 1t would receive con
demnation from all union labor.
! The first effect of this legislation
I therefore, is to concede to some pow
er-either the congress or the tribu
nal created by 1.-THE right to fix tn
wages Of the men working upon tn
public utilities.
I, What is the second weature of tn,
bill? 1t has been said thai societ,
has sanctioned the eight-hour day
Let us assume for the ome tina
: the cight-hour day is in this bill; lie
= US assume for the sake Of argument
and only for the sake OF the argumen
| that that is true; what do we find?
What do We find here il this bill
= II society has sanctioned the eight
hour day. under what theory ca
: either the brotherhoods or the con
Sress of the United States apply
great principle of humanity to 20 pc
e cent of the men who operate ti
t%rains' What will the brotherhood
: say to the vast o OF men VIII
: viii be there to greet them when the
return to their homes? We have sue
s ceeded in establishing a great prin
I ciple of humanity" For whom? 10
e 20 per cen of u.s."
Not Using Judgment
Mr.. President. that is not the wors
$ Of IL This fact proves beyond ques
e aion that the congress- OF the Unite
y States Is lot exercising its judgmen
u Il not ererciains fits discretion ia M