The Washington herald., 1916-04-02

so different that 1t would probably be
better TO have separate wage commits
sions or labor commissions, than to inn
pose upon existing public service COM
\ missions. already overwhelmed with i'm
portant duties, the additional heavy task
OF adjusting controversies, and determin-
ing what constitutes a fair wage for each
GLASS Of railway employees.
II such commissions as are suggest
ed should be created, they must be
provided with expert and statistical
aid to enable them to undertake elab-
crate Investigations OF the facts bear
ing upon the economic condition of
railway employees. When such COM
missions have been in existence for
several years. they will have in their
possession the necessary facts upon
which to make awards in individual
cases; or. at all events, they will have
the machinery and equipment neees-
sary for gathering the facts promptly
and Interpreting them accurately.
There Is no reason why such a COM
mission could not proceed in the case
OF labor difference with the same
promptness that existing commissions
exercise In the matter OF railway rates.
UnorgsniEed Men Merit Considern-
ton.
Above all, the wage commissions
proposed would represent the public.
They would work in cooperation with
the Interstate Commerce Commission
and thus secure to railway employees
just wages; and this without regard
to whether the employees are fully or
ganized. Under the existing situation.
well organized railway labor, illu-
strsted by engineers, fremen, conduc-
tors, trainmen, etc, receive considera-
ton from railroads not accorded to the
classes of labor that are not so well
organized.
that advances in pay to organized la
Dor have been too frequent or too
large, but merely that the question
of an advance for a given class of
la Dor engaged in work upon the public
utilities should not depend upon or
ganization, but upon justice. Especi
ally for the public utilities is II i'm
portant that labor should have a just
wage, and II the existing wages are
not adequate they should be increased.
II just increase in wages places the
public utilities in a position that does
not enable them to secure q fair re-
turn upon capital invested and main
tain a proper reserve they should be
allowed to increase their rates untn
they are In that position. In short.
the public utilities should not impose
an undue burden upon the public by
paying higher wages than are reason
able, nor should the public receive
services from the railroads at a rate
so low that labor does not receive
fair compensation and capital its fair
return.
strikes Must BE Made Impossible.
In the last analysis the only solution
unless We are to rely solely upon the re-
straining power to public opinion-is to
qualify the principle of free contract in
the railroad service. A strike in the army
or navy is mutiny and universally pun
Ished as such. The same principle is APP
piled to seamen because Of the public
necessity involved. A strike among pos
tai clerks, as among the teachers of our
public schools, would be unthinkahle. In
all these cases, the employment, to Dor
row a legal phrase, is affected with a
public use; and this of necessity qualities
the right OF free concerted action which
exists In private employnents.
However, IL the principle be accepted
that there are certain ella sses OF service
thus affected with a public interest and
men who enter them are not free con-
eertedly to quit the service. then these
men must be guarded In the matter of
wages and conditions by public protec-
ton; and this 1t Is believed can best be
done through an interstate wage COM
mission.
The problem for which the above plan
Is a suggested solution is a complex and
difficult one. The suggestion, however,
grows out of a profound conviction that
the food and clothing OF our people. the
industries and the general welfare of
the nation. cannot be permitted to depend
upon the policies and the dictates of any
particular group of men, whether employ
ers or employees, nor upon the determine
ton OF a group OF employers and EN-
ployes combined. The public utilities of
the nation are OF such fundamental i'm
portance to the whole people that their
operation must not be interrupted, and
means must be worked out which win
guarantee this result