The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-12-08
THE CASE FOR THE RAILROADS

attitude of the four big railway broth
erhoods.
The President and the labor leaders
say you canLot arbitrate a question
like the eight-hOur day and that $50
ciety has settled the question" AS to
the settlement OF the eight hour prin
ciple. II is interesting TO remember
that California voted on the subject
only two years ago. The vote In Call
fornia was an actual test OF American
public opinion on the question. The
California voters passed on the eight
hours a day In an election held Nov. 3
1914. The result was 56OS81 against
and 2S2 COG for the eight hour day. OF
J the fifty-elght counties In California
the eight-hOur day failed TO carry one
In San Francisco the adverse majority
was smallest being 10000 against to
4G.620 for. In Los Angeles the vote
was 133. 7O4 against TO 74,5S2 for.
This is the only official expression OF
the popular will on record that know
OF and the result was (as naturally 10
be expected because most people IN
the world have to work more than
eight hours n day-the farmer, the
clerk, the storekeeper. the teacher, the
minister. the doctor, thousands OF good
wives, mothers. daughters. and sisters
In caring for their homes. the man OF
business even the President OF the
United States. And every one OF the
railroad presidents who signed the
declaration OF principles 10 the Presl.
dent have all their lives worked more
than eight hours a day. Nearly all OF
them rose from the ranks-:rainm
locomotive engineer. locomotive fire.
man. clerk telegraph operator, level
rodman-ahd they have very deep
and human sympathy with the men In
the service And we may without dis
respect 10 the President take issue
with him rs 10 whether or not the
United States Is far enough along In
Its history and development to adopt
definitely the eight-hour day,
Those wlo made the American Ma
ton what Il Is today worked long and
hard We hear that eight hours or less
work day is all that strong, healthy
man shoull do. Where would the
United States now be II our forefathers
had been content with eight hours
work a day? Where will the United
States be In the race for future com
mercial supremacy among the nations
II this spirit continues? We have ships
to build, railways to develop, an army
and navy to be manned, and countless
49, A. trgn In
should give the best that is In him. no
the least. II we are to avoid serious dif
f1cultles at home and abroad.
The American people are a just and
generous people and they wish to re
duce want and hardship to mini
mum; but they do not like to be taken
by the throat by any body Of 100000
men and made TO do something before
they understand It's present and futur,
effects.
Some are speaking Of the present
prosperity OF the railways. 1t Is true
that they are enjoying large gains com
pared with year ago In both gross
and net earnings. but no one can tell
what conditions will be when the
dreadful European war ends. Costs
OF operation are increasing In all direc.
tions. The cost OF materials used by
railways has advanced from 100 to 700
per cent. Necessary improvements have
been deferred; and In spite OF the pres.
ent prosperity the railways have seri-
GUS problems ahead. The question OF
meeting the growing cost OF operation
Is a serious one. When we speak OF
the present prosperity OF the railways
we should also recall the losses In the
lean years good business concern al.
ways looks out In prosperous years for
the poor years that are bound to come.
In a time of profound peace In this
country the railways are congested
and cannot carry satisfactorily the to
tai load. What could they do I'm their
present condition n the added burden
OF war were thrown upon them?
Many Industries would have TO stop
because the railways first duty would
be to handle the men and material in
cident to war.
The President and Congress have
placed a heavy burden upon the rail.
ways and the people OF the country In
their sure lder 10 the demands OF the
brotherhoous before the effect OF those
demands upon the organization and ef-
fciency OF the railways could be &C.
curately determined. The owners and
managers. rs loyal citizens OF the coun.
try, will do their best 10 carry that
burden ant furnish to the people the
needed ser Ice II. after ample thought
Il Is prove, that the new law Is right
II. howeve', the hasty action Just TAX
en- results In industrial disturbance
poorer ser Ice. undeveloped railways
higher rates, demoralized business. and
higher cos Of living. the owners, tho
employees md the public will all suf
fer. II Ia most earnestly to be hoped
that the people will insist that Con
gress take up promptly the whole sub
feet and adjust Il fairly to all. and
show the moral courage and force to
correct tho mistake that has been
made.
The action taken in Washington does
not seem 10 breathe a spirit Of Justice
i .HJ Ntha-.