New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-20

BY law IN this manner
Investigation Needed.
"Manifestly. We have here an ex-
tremely intricate question OF rates and
OUTLAWS. What was the manifest duty
of the Executive Plainly 20 insist
that investigation should precede ac-
ton, and that nothing should be yielded
70 force. Il was stated By the Execu-
tive in his address 20 Congress that
the matter had been agitated for more
than a year. Why. then. vas il not in
vestigated? Could not the Admnistra-
ton command all necessary machinery
for far and thorough inquiry
Not only did the Administration fail
70 take proper action or is own initia-
tive. but the business men Of the coun.
try appealed In vain 20 the Administra.
Ton for investigation. Their request
Yon no favorable action.
Time was allowed 20 run, and then
came the surrender that shocked the
people throughout the land. Was the
crisis unforeseen? Why was IL per-
mitted 20 arise. when the Administra-
tion was forewarned2
81 stand FOR the principle OF arbitra-
ton In industrial disputes Labor.
least Of all, can afford 20 have that
principle surrendered. Il is A civilized
method, as opposed 20 the injurious
contests OF force. which impoverish
labor and imperil the social order The
essence Of the matter is fair and rea-
sonable hearing OF all parties concerned
and just determination according 20
the facts.
1T is no answer to say that the
awards OF arb tration are lot always
just. The effort should be 70 improve
reasonable methods, not 70 subvert
them. Railroad companies refusing ar
bitration have been condemned al the
bar OF public opinion, and great prog
ress has been made IN the direction o.
the peaceful and reasonable settle
ment of labor disputes.
The public judgment will not toll
crate any reactionary course either BY
powerful groups OF workingmen or by
powerful groups OF employers The
peace, good order AMI progress Of so
ciety are TOO important 90 be sacrificed
ir this way.
"To say that fair and prompt arbitra-
tion could not have leen had in this
case is 20 indict both the Administra-
ton and the American PEOPLE.
Nothing Sudden About 1t.
1T is said that We we're suddenly
caught. find no foundation for this
excuse. I see nothing sudden about the
natter: bur sudden or otherwise. there
was no Justification for the yielding
O. principle.
why not try the sflcacy Of stand
irg for principle instead OF giving il
up in fear? Of those 10 seek 70 ex-
cuse the Adrs nistration surrender on
the ground Z exigencv I ask. How far
DO you propose 20 yield 20 force
" here will you make stand? Do
YOU cherish the vain hope that by sur
render you will accumulate courage or
ability 20 withstand pressure
Let ne also say th1i force can un-
make as well as maxi hat 10 can re-
Jet courts as well as arbitration. that
II can dispense with an part OF the
orderly procedure Of government which
il may oppose.
When force is proposed and arbitra-
tion is refused there is but one stand
q take. and that Is % appeal 20 the
judgment OF the country 20 vindicate
The processes Of reason. Had the Elk
ccutive, when arbitration was declined.
Al once directed the entire force Of
public opinion. as he easily could, 20
the demand for the recognition OF the
principle Of arbitration / have no doubt
ne would have won, and the nation
would have been his debtor.
Had the Executive gone AZ once 70
Congress for immedil'e authority 20
secure prompt and thorough investiga-
ton Of the stated grievances IN ad-
vance Of action. and had he thus made
instant provision for an inquiry so en-
tIrely competent as % command the
respect Of the country, ] am satisfied
there could have been no strike. We
ere still ruled by public opinion. and
no Administration need fear results n
10 stands firmly for essential principle.
Legislation Under Pressure.
81 do not speak OF the propriety or ad-
visibility Of fixing wages by law. That
is a SEPARATE matter. am now deal
irg with more fundamental question
i legislation according 20 the facts a.
opposed 10 legislation under pressure
i'm the abseuce OF inquiry. We nave.
undoubtedly, too much LEGISLATOR
without adequate consideration, but
there are usually the forms and
presumptions OF legislative consldera-
ton on the merits Of proposals. Here
even those were absent.
Within a few hours. on demand o:
the Administration, Congress provided
a mandatory increase Of wages. IN
voIvinc millions OF dollars, without
any idea whether the increase was or
was not justified And this action vas
taken in connection with the essential
instrumenality OF commerce, the ar
teries Of our commercial lie.
"Mr. Adamson said OF his bill, II is
bas+v legislation. I admit. 20 meet an
emergency What emergency me
emergency of force 20 which the Ad-
ministration had capitulated.
MIR Underwood said We have no in
formation on which 10 leglslate and 20
FIX rates Of wages which We are going
20 do and are attempting TO do.
contrast the action OF this Admin
istration with what Grover Cleveland
in 1856 said with respect 10 LABOR Ie
islation All legislation on the sup
iect should be calmly and deliberately
undertaken, with no purpose OF satls-
fving unreasonable demands or gam
ing partisan advantage.
81. is idle 10 excuse the action taken
By the Adamson bill by request Tor
additional legislation with respect 70
the future. That Legislation was no.
attained We are dealing with what
was demanded and actually enacted.
Labors Viewpoint.
"O,. Of the foremost friends Of
rabo- n .his country states the plain
,ru.b in writing 20 ne as follows:
Those OF US who knew the labor
struggle and have helped in the fight
for standardizing in our Industrial life,