Evening journal., 1916-08-30

come. l felt warranted in assuring
them that 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 admins
! trative efficiency did not prove ade-
quative to meet them.
THE public, and the representatives
Of the public, feel justified in as
surfing them, were disposed 10 nothing
but justice in such cases. and were
willing to serve those who served
them.
Railroads Declined Plan.
1.-THE representatives of the brother
hoods accepted the plan; but the rep
lresentatives Of the railroads declined
to accept it. In the face OF what I
cannot but regard as the practical
certainty that they will be ultimately
obliged to accept the S-hour day, by
the concerted action OF organized la
Dor, backed by the favorable judgment
of society. the representatives of the
railway management have felt justi-
fed in declining a peaceful settle
mont, which would engage all the
forces OF justice. public and private,
on their side to take care Of the event.
They feel the hostile influence OF
shippers who would be opposed TO in
increase Of freight rates flor which
however. ~ course, the public itself
would pay; they apparently feel
no confidence that the interstate
Commerce Commission could with
stand the objections that would be
made. They do not care TO rely
upon the friendly assurances OF the
Congress or the President They
: have thought II best that they should
} be forced to yield. If they must yield
! not by counsel. but by the suffering
OF the country. While my conferences
T with them were in progress, and wher
to all outward appearances. those
conferences had come to standstill
, the Representatives Of the brother
: hoods suddenly acted, and set th'
! strike for the 4th Of September
, 1.-THE railway managers based theii
= decision to reject my counsel in thi'
matter upon their conviction that the!
must. at any cost. TO themselves Of
/ to the country. stand firm for th'
p principle of arbitration. which tn
. men had rejected. based my counse
0 upon the indisputable fact that Their
was no means OF obtaining arbitra
ton. The law supplied none; earnes
I efforts at mediation had failed to In
r fluence the men In the least. To stan'
Z firm for the principle of arbitration
I and yet not get arbitration. seeme
l TO me something more than futile, be
4 cause It involved incalcuIable dis
70 tress to the country and consequence
} in some respects worse than those G
. war. and that in the mids. of peace.
o Doesn't Place The Fault.
Z Il yield TO no man. in firm adher
= ence. alike Of conviction and OF pun
n pose. tn the principle Of arbitration /
industrial disputes; but matters hav
L come to a sudden crisis IN this PAL
y ticular dispute. and the country ha
d been caught unprovided with an
/ practical means Of enforcing that col
y viciion (by whose fault VIC will M
i now stop 10 inquired.
a "A situation had to be met who's
i elements and fixed conditions were II
Y disputable. The practical and patriots
e course to pursue. as 1t seemed TO m
q was to secure immediate peace b
a conceding the one thing in the d.
II mands of the men. which society itsel
J. and any arbitrators who representa-
l. public sentiment. we're most likely
e approve, and Immediately lay N
n foundations for securing arbitraUo
l. with regard TO everything else II
! a
e judgment
II Il was seeking to compromise n
ID present in order to safeguard the II
E. ture: for I wished an atmosphere
ID peace and friendly cooperation
which to take counsel with the rel
resentatives of the nation, with r
q gard to the best means for providin
y, so far as II might prove possible
ID provide, against the recurrence of sue
D. unhappy situations in the future-ti
IT best and most practicable means
Id securing calm and fair arbitration
IL all industrial disputes in the days
n come. This is assuredly the best VIZ
h, OF vindieating principle. namel
al having failed to make certain of /
le observance in the present TO NAL
+ certain OF ltS OBSERVANCE III the Aului
In But l could only propose. cou
a. not govern the will OF others, wi
is took an entirely different view OF Il
Of circumstances of the case. who eve
II refused to admits the circumstances
b. be what they have turned out 10 b
le Having failed to bring the parties
ny this critical controversy TO an accor
IT mediation. therefore, turn to yo
no deening II clearly, our duty as pu
Id lie servants, TO leave nothing undol
n that we can do to safeguard the Ii
We and interest of the nation. In q
ly spirit OF such a purpose. earnest
s, recommend the following Legislation
a. Legislation Recommended.
ID, First, immediate provision for {
ne enlargement and administrative rec
tn ganization of the Interstate CONNER
as Commission along the lines embodi
az in the bill recently passed by I
ut House OF Representatives, and nc
he awaiting action by the Senate;