The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1916-09-21


hunal which shall be clothed with the
authority and the power TO make full
investigation and to fix wages for al
men engaged In the service of the
public utilities.
Have Conceded Right.
The workingmen of the country
have now conceded the right of con-
gress TO fix wages, because, as said by
the senator from Iowa, that is the reaI
contest. That is the concession, which
in my Judgment, If 1t We're submitted
to the 100000 men represented here
would be voted down by a vote OF 81
per cent. 1t would receive condemna-
ton from all union labor.
The first effect of this legislation
therefore, is to concede to some pow
er-either the congress or the tri-
bunal created by 1.-THE right to fix
! the wages of the men working upon
the public utilities.
What is the second feature of the
bill? 1t has been said that society
has sanctioned the eight-hour day
Let us assume for the moment that
the eight-hou day is in this bill; lei
us assume for the sake of argument
and only for the sake of argument
that that is true; what do we find?
What do we find here in this billf
If society has sanctioned the eight
hour day, under what theory can
either the brotherhoods or the con-
gress of the United States apply a
great principle of humanity to 20 pei
cent of the men who operate the
trains? What will the brotherhoods
say to the vast concourse of men who
will be there to greet them when they
return to their homes? 1--WE have
succeeded in establishing a great
principle of humanity" For whom
For 20 per cent of u.s.
Not Using Judgment.
Mr.. President, that Is not the worst
of it. This fact proves beyond ques-
ton that the congress of the United
States is not exercising its judgment
Is not exercising its discretion, is not
exercising it's patriotism; because
can not conceive that congress, if free
to choose in applying a great princi-
pie which society has sanctioned
would apply 1t to only 20 per cent oil
the men engaged in single indus
try.
What will the men out upon the
other work in connection with the OPP
GRAFTON of these roads who are receiy-
ing a less wage, but who are taking
care of situations just as critical ano
just as important to the travelling
public, think of the congress which
refused to apply to them a principle
which society has sanctioned? Why
should we deal so parsimoniously witt
great principle of humanity? Why
not extend its beneficent worth to al
in this industry?
Mr.. President, 1t illustrates that WI
are proceeding in fear-in my judg
ment ungrounded fear-in excite
Iment, without the exercise of our owl
discretion and judgment, and without
the facts before us which would en-
able us to proceed intelligently.
| repeat, sir, that if this congress
would pass a resolution this afternoo
to the effect that we are in favor g.
proceeding with this matter at thi
session of congress, until we sha
have comprehensively dealt with /
the strike would be as dead by Mon
day morning as it will be if this bi
is passed.
> Not Highwaymen.
These men are not criminals
: highwaymen. They are a high elias
l of men and they would never strlk
5 What this occasion needs Is MOI
faith in these men and more mani
3 ness and courage in ourselves. Cor
gress would have reserved and pre-
served it's dignity; we would nay
} nassed before we closed the session
9 comprehensive plan, representing II
Y best Judgment of the congress, an
/ workingmen and all the people who
| we represent generally would be give
comprehensive plan, which Woul
! relieve them from this impendin
l evil which will be resting upon the
+ and over commerce every day OF II
t next nine months. We SHOULD be RI
lieved of that entirely. great cris
t needs decision, needs character, nee'
3 faith in the right and faith In Amer
t can principles. These things are saC
0 ly lacking here. We have cringt
S and crawled, we have Inundated ou
O laLa..nLad pANern Ter