Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1916-12-07

or the Interstate commerce commits
ion to grant an increase Of rates on
ground referred to Is indisputably
lear, and recommendation by the
phgreSs with regard to such q matter
rSht seem to draw in question the
'opc OF the commissions authority or
inclination to'do justice when there
no reason to doubt either.
ihe other suggestions--the increase
the interstate commerce commits.
ms membership and in its facilities
performing its manifold duties, the
oviSion for full public investigation
III assessment Of Industrial disputes,
III the grant to the executive of the
wer to control and operate the rail.
'ays when necessary In time of war or
her ike public necessity now very
rnestly renew.
Now Legislation Necessary.
The necessity for such legislation Is
ianifest and pressing. Those who have
htrusted us with the responsibility
ind duty OF serving and safeguarding
them In such matters would find n
I believe, to excuse a failure 10
let upon these grave matters or any
Unnecessary postponement OF action.
Not only does the interstate com.
merce commission now find 1t practical
~ impossible, with its present member.
ship and organization, to perform its
great functions promptly and thorough.
ly, but 1t is not unlikely that It may
presently be found advisa BILE to add to
Its duties still others equally heavy and
exacting. It must first be perfected as
an administrative instrument.
The country cannot and should not
consent to remain any longer exposed
to profound industrial disturbances
for lack Of additional means Of arbi
tration and conciliation which the con.
gress can easily and promptly supply
And all will agree that there must be
no doubt as to the power Of the e1ecu
tive to make immediate and uninter-
rupted use Of the railroads for the con.
centration Of the military forces Of the
nation wherever they are needed and
whenever they are needed.
This is a program Of regulation, pre-
vention and administrative efficiency
which argues its own case in the mere
statement Of 1t. With regard to one Of
its items, the increase In the efficiency
Of the interstate commerce commission,
the house Of representatives has al.
ready acted. Its action needs only the
concurrence Of the senate.
To Safeguard Industrial Processes.
would hesitate to recommend, and
dare say the congress would hesitate
to act upon the suggestion should
make 1t, that any man In any occupa
tion should be obliged by law to con-
tinue in an employment which he de-
sired to leave.
To pass law which forbade or pre-
vented the Individual workman to leave
his work before receiving the approval
of society in doing so would be to
adopt a new principle into our juris-
prudence which I take 1t for granted
we are not prepared to introduce. But
the proposal that the operation Of the
railways Of the country shall not be
stopped or interrupted by the concert.
ed action of organized bodies of men
until public investigation shall have
been instituted which shall make the
whole question. at issue plain for the
judgment Of the opinion Of the nation
is not to propose any such principle.
1t Is based upon the very different
principle that the concerted action of
powerful bodies Of men shall not be
permitted to stop the Industrial pro-
cesses Of the nation, at any rate before
the nation shall have had an opportu-
nifty to acquaint itself with the merits
of the case as between employee and
employer, time to form its opinion upon
an impartial statement of the merits,
and opportunity to consider all practi.
cable means Of Cancellation or arbitra.
tion.
can see nothing In that proposition
but the justifable safeguarding by so.
ciety Of the necessary processes Of its
very life. There is nothing arbitrary
or unjust in 1t unless 1t be arbitrarily
and unjustly done. It can and should
be done with a full and scrupulous re.
gard for the interests and liberties of
all concerned as well as for the Der.
manent interests Of society itself.
Three matters Of capital importance
await the action Of the senate which
have already been acted upon by the
house Of representatives-theb bill which
seeks to extend greater freedom oi
Il n -