Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-09-01
PUBLIC EVENTUALLY
MUST FOOT THE BILL
FOR EiGHT-HOUR DAY


merits OF the proposal aud how il may
affect the country
K. :. French. Of the National Associa
, ton Of Commission Merchants. said he
was positive his organization would
favor fuller investigation before lcgis-
lation affecting ii is passed
Eird NJ. Robinson, who said he rep
resented short-linc railroads. particu-
larly in the South, protested against
any legislation which would affect
those lines. lie said he represented
about 100 companies. largely financed
dividends. and whose train employees
arc not qualified TO hold positions on
trunk line railroads.
Presidents C;arreisou. carter and
stone, Of the brotherhoods. occupied the
employees last hour in rcbuttal. All
Of them reiterated that arbitration had
proved a failure for the men, and in
sisted that responsibility for a strike,
should one come. would be on the rail-
roads for their failure TO offer To deal
with their employees
ASSAII.S ARBITRATION
<S WORKING: our [ NI'AIR!.N
Mr.. Garter presented figures ,icSipnr |
/ TO prove that certain roads were icing
operated cheaper under the eight hoLr
/ day than others under ten, and then
Z turned his attention to nsSailiug arhi-
! tration as having worked out unfairly.
I "Arbitrators.' he said, always are
selected from the master class. and thai
I is unfair 10 US. We might as well &C.
! iect Mr.. Gompers here 10 act as neu-
| trail arbitrator7 lie could give us the
| eight hour day "a fairly as an arbi-
traitor from the other class could deny
! II TO us. Class questions are not arbi-
trsble The divinity Of Christ long has
! boon a mootcd question. suppose YOU
sought 10 arbitr.,te tina; and named a
JcN or Mohammedan rs arbitrator.
! That would be analogous with the kind
] Of arbitration we have been cVucri :
! encinr."
/ AS an example OF his contention, MIR.
! Carter declared that Charles " Ea.ei.
I former Secretary OF Commerce and La
bo". Was named an arbitrator in Il
railroad ease. and that later when the
| unions learned he was trustee or an
institution holding Sl2,O00.00 worth OF
| stock In lines included in the negotia-
lions, the government declined to re-
move him from the board OF arlitra-
! ticn.
| since wage disputes began the railroads
had pleaded poverty and had declared
! proposed increases would drive them
| into bankruptcy, but they had always
/ managed to survive.
The man engaged in freight ira hlc
| Is practically a slave" he declared
! He cannot take his family out without
! permission from The callers Office tie
cannot go TO the wroccry without
| notifying tho caller"
Mr.. Garrctson closed FOR the brutI, or
hoods with dramatic appeal
$50 Gar. We have refused nothing.
he declared. with tears streaming from
! his face we have only said tina, If
! others refuse to do anything We viii
/ do nothing
/ NiLTt' TIRES LOWERING
! AHOUT CARCASS or PUBLIC
lie described all of The contpndiu-
/ paitics to the hearing as yultures nov
erin" about the carcass Of the public.
F.! The public. ne aaid, would pay the bill
! In the end in any event
/ Tho pablo will pay. as il always ma
/ pail he said. but il won't pay for
! The increased wages AS il has for
many generations. il will pay fov over
/ capitalization. The railroads do mo-,
sec tho humanitarian side of this fight.
Thcy say they wili pay If they have To.
hut that * all"
" VIZ after : o'clock whom tn. f,ear.
/ NIX f'nHily closed. Then tho committee
! W"rN"c until far INTO tho nigh, on nc
+. hiIi I" lie presented Tomorrow.