The Washington herald., 1916-08-25
The Presidents Problem.

The daily conferences at the White House
between the railroad heads and employees seem
to spell new legislation" If the reports
emanating from the Executive Mansion may be
credited, the President seems to be looking over
the heads of the railroad presidents and the
employees representatives to the Capitol for a
final solution of the problem. Apparently, the
deeper Mr. Wilson delves into the intricacies OF
the situation the complex he finds it. He
probably holds the belief daily growing more
wdcs pread, that the prevention of a strike is
only the first step in what has developed as the
greatest industrial problem of many years.
The solution of this problem inevitably will
devolve upon Congress. The problem patiently
has grown to proportions too great to be prop
erly solved by the railroads. 1t is a problem
affecting not only the 6oo, 900 OF railroad
stock or the $4,000 trainmen who threaten to
strike, but all the people of the nation. 1t is
a problem that requires complete investigation,
thorough deliberation and quick action.
When the problem OF fixing rates grew too
big for the railroads Congress created the Inter
state Commerce Commission. To this body was
given the duty Of protecting the railroads, the
shippers and the people. But in the performance
Of this duty the commission practically re-
strictcd to the fixing of rates. Congress believed
rate fixing the only tool necessary and thus took
THE government will regulate what you shall
charge for the work you do and will leave you
to settle other problems the best way you can"
Therefore, the railroads found the Interstate
Commerce Commission fixing their income and
the 'trainmen trying to fix a large part Of their
salary outgo, the railroads being in the unen-
vlablc position between the devil and the deep
blue sea. The railroads have found that they can
expect fairness and justice from the commission
There was one notable proof OF this not many
months ago when the railroads showed a : per
cent freight rate increase necessary to existence
and got the increase.
But the railroads also have found that they
cannot expect fairness and justice from the train
men. Why? The trainmen form only I8 per
cent OF railroad employees, but today receive Is
per cent of the wages paid by railroads The
employees in the other 81 per cent receive yearly
average salary OF about 500. The trainmen who
number only 18 in every 100 railroad employees
receive an average annual wage of more than
81 200, yet the I8 per cent Of highly paid en-
ployes arc threatening a strike that will throw
the g. per cent of low-saarcd employees out OF
work. And 1t may be supposed that every time
the tralnmens wages raised the other en-
ployes' wages will be lowered
1t is easy to understand the conviction
the railroads that the trainmcn will not play
tair. 1t IS easy to understand why the cry OF
greed and oppression that labor raised against
the railroads few years ago now j. being
raised against the trainmen. 1t is easy to un-
derstand why the people who needed the cry OF
labor for justice years ago now will heed the cry
OF the railroads for justice. cardinal virtue OF
the American love is a deep-rootcd love for fair
play.
The railroads today are not being treated
has cd
that legislation is needed to insure fair play it
may be regarded a certainty that he will go
before Congress and ask for that legislation. II
he has not reached such decision his problem
now is to avert a strike so that he may have
adequate time N which to properly investigate
the problem with view of learning whether it
can be solved by legislation