The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-09

"A reduction OF wages OF other en-
ployees or by reduced payments OF In
ierest and dividends or by c~urtailing
betterment expenditures needed by the
public or by Increased passenger and
freight rates.
Deeper Thought Deserved.
This movement raises a serious social
aud industrial question. n deserves
deeper thought and consideration than
IT is now apparently receiving from the
public at large. the lawmakers and the
Government.
III has a very direct bearing upon the
ability Of the railways TO recover from
their maiady a to get ready for the
work of the country.
Must not public opinion devise some
means that will make impossible even
the conception OF a plan to paralyze
the entire railway system OF tho United
States
To-day labor says. 4 can do with my
own as | Ike and II ] want to stop work
that is my business
'OhINa few years ago capital sad the
samc about various unjust discrimina-
lions and unfair practices. and the pub
lie stopped them.
Doe not n man. when he elects to
carr his living Icy working for a public
service corporation. enter into a moral
obligation TO the public to keep that cor
poration at work pending q dispute over
wages and working conditions until that
dispute Is settled IN an orderly manner?
should that obligation be mait not sim
ply a moral one, but a humane, patriotic
and even a legal one? That obligation
would he no more an interference with
human liberty than IL Is to insist that
railways cannot vary rates. \ way
should be found to adjust such matters,
ana Hou and those you repre- sent can be
potent in finding thu way.
Another thing. This il "A country OF
great distances, ana rates. both freight
and passenger, should be KEEP, az low AS
consistent with good wages. good up.
keep Of IN" properties. good and constant
additions Ia the properties ard rood re.
turns to the capital IN order that new
money vii constantly be invested in the
business.
Eject on Labor.
"lf wage are raised and then rates
are raised. ana II this process constantly
continues, u CONDITION will arts. which
VIII send the cost Of living much higher
than ever before business Of the cuun-
try Will Ice checked, and development
stoppeI. such al outcome would h,
as bad. II not worse. for labor than for
capital.
Another tendency of tho times de.
serves thoughtful cons. Iteration, for 4. has
u very important bearing on the malady
Of the railways This tx tn. tendency 80
generally discussed tina individuals
should do less work per day. Many would
IKE this, but every on. owes 20 ITS
country a duty. especially ~ TIT. time. a.
give the best that ~ Ia him. physically
and mentally. and thus help to carry the
country through its changed conditions.
In most kinds -; work II IS no strain
for a healthy man to work ter hours 4,
day. but there l. now q very strong d-!f.
20 an eight hour day and even les The
nation = confronted Attn nur, work
than ever before ships to huild factories
10 erIary., railways 20 complete, new
foreign business To- be attracted and helr
10 be extended TO the uufortuuat.s on the
other side.
There are about 10000. 600 men "A,
work ~ they work ten hours d day
that j. 800. 600 900 hours a day, or o..
coo, 600. 600 hours a year. II they work
eight hours IL is 1850, 900, 600. 90 a dit.
! ference Of 1870. 600, 600 hours a yrar.
A. eight hours a day this means that
about 800, 600 more men must h- en-.
pIuyel 20 do the work tina, could b,
3 done by the $4,000, 600 aud wh-., a.,
: they to come from"
T the extent tina. H. rrpre>,i,ed uy
these figures the new work that Unrl,
sam should 10 IN building ms navy,
improving his railways. .xpa, ding hts
commerce. Will be checked. tn, nation
AS busy and loyal citize'~ should cheer
fully work overtime instead OF less time.
w must promptly do thos. things
that must be- done II We are 10 occupv
I The place I'm the XIAr'I uIHE.t, ,-.xt