Evening journal., 1916-12-29
{ E. DIT RIA L }

discussion on railway development the great army
of investors in railway securities have not taken a
prominent part They have taken hardly any part but
on the basis OF practical investment experience
believe it in approaching present problems from the
standpoint or the investor that are most likely to
reach proper solution.
Throughout the country. there is great army Of in
vesors ready to supply money for the railroad deve-
ment which the country badly needs II these in
vesors be convinced that capital invested in the
railroads will be given proper consideration IN the
solving OF all problems, that most pressing problem
the raising OF the great amount Of money needed for
construction and development, be easily solved
Now let get down to the present status Of this
matter.
There is at present a conflict raging between two
elements in the railroad transportation business.
On side the directors and executives OF the
railroads On the other SIDE the four brotherhoods
OF engineers, hremen, conductors and trainmen. The
brotherhoods, 100000 strong. united and alert say
with one voice 1--WE must have more pay shorter
hours both we'll strike" The executives answer
with our restricted rates and higher cost OF opera
ton, we cannot grant your request deadlock &C
the matter is appealed to the President ana me-
to avert calamity promises to grant, through Con-
gress, what the roads deny.
The investors 100000 strong the owners Of the
properties scattered all the country having an
immense power invested in them unorganized,
able TO forward with the combined voice OF even
a paltry dozen. They uneasy. They chafe. They
hesitate They ask the question, How about future
investments in railroads torn by dssenson between
executives and employees"
They finally evolve this thought: The executives of
the road represent and in the MAN. do II sastac-
torily: but owing the fact that there is preju-
dice against them in Congress- in the Commissions, ana
the mind of the public, they can't in their official
capacity exert much influence in certain fields as
we could IL we should for ourselves independently
Let us get together and let the OF the roads
show to Congress and the Commissions that political
influence and voting power are not wholly confined 10
shippers and the four brotherhoods.
The investors in addition TO thinking in this man,
ner as to the attitude existing between their railroad
executives and the brotherhoods, evolve another
thought, follows:
We the real owners OF the railroads. II is our
money which is invested therefore you the brother
hoods are our employees. Now what is the matter?
We are 100000 strong; you are 100000 strong. You
are organized; we are not You nave put one over
us because you organized. but it is unfair It
won't stand the test Let talk over grievances.
You have yours. We have ours. We can't pay what
you demand unless helped Instead Of snarling
and quarreling with your executives let together
find the solution OF the matter and when get what
ought TO have land we ask you TO help us get )
you may be that in turn will allow you what
must under this high cost OF operation
not grant
Now, gentlemen you must see, in the present cond-
ton of this conflict between the railroads and their
employees. that they working at cross purposes.
The great army Of railroad brotherhood men have been
orehanded Upon small contributions from their wages
and with skfu and astute leadership they have built
up power and force which have enabled them to go
before the highest authority in the land and demand
and obtain a promise OF increased pay upon threat II
not granted OF closing up the traffic Of the country.
These 100000 employees OF 100000 investment own
OF $2000O000000 national transportation sys-
tenn did this. How did they get away with itg was II
because their numerical strength made them politically
formidable? Is this big free country to be coerced by
And right here is IL not logical to ask
hoods by this threat obtain higher wages why can
they not by similar simply solve this prob
and obtain for their employers the railroads high
er rates to enable them to pay higher wages?
ut is well TO have giants strength, but II is ty
rannous TO use IL as giant"
Now I submit that the brotherhoods, in taking the
course which they did committed a great mistake. II
an employe OF mine into my Office with pistol II
hand and says 10 me. mfr Muir. want you to raise
my pay. II you don't. will blow your head OF"
tell him TO clear out. But IL he comes to m
and says. you making money. My pay Is no
enough under this increased cost OF living. WIN yo'
wise ways and to satisfy him.
This course OF the brotherhoods will not stand tn
test The railroads. under present conditions, can
not stand for the demand OF the brotherhoods an'
continue successful operation II the brotherhoods hat
| used the same influence and force with the same an
thorty In Washington in presenting the needs OF tn
! railroads and gained for their employers what the