Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-05
CONTINUED from page one.)

concentrations the congress immediate
Iy acted on: it established the eight
hour day as the legal basis of work and
wages IN train service and it author
lied the appointment OF commission
to observe and report upon the practic'
al results, deeming these the measures
most Immediately needed; but ii post
pOned action upon the other suggestions
until an opportunity should be offered
for more deliberate consideration OF
them. The fourth recommendation |
do not deem it necessary to renew.
The power OF the Interstate Commerce
commission TO grant an increase OF
rates on the ground referred to is in
'disputably clear and 4 recommendation
by the congress with regard to such a
matter might seem TO draw in ques-
tion the scope of the commission 3 nu-
thority or its inclination to do justice
when there is no reason TO doubt eth
er.
The other suggestions increase
in the Interstate Commerce commits
sion 5 membership and in its facilities
for performing its manifold duties, the
provision for full public investigation
and assessment of industrial disputes
and the grant to the executive of the
power to control and operate the rail
ways when necessary in time of war
or other like public necessity now
very earnestly renew.
The necessity for such legislation is
manifest and pressing Those who have
entrusted us with the responsibility and
duty of serving and safeguarding them
in such matters would find it hard, /
believe, to excuse failure to act upon
these grave matters or any unneces-
sary postponemont Of action upon them.
Concerning Arbitration
Not only does the Interstate Com
merce commission now find it practic.
ally impossible, with its present mem
bership and organization to perform
its great functions promptly and thor
oughly but il is not unlikely that it
may presently be found advisable to
add to its duties still others equally
heavy and exacting. 1t must first be
perfected as an administrative instru-
ment.
The country cannot and should not
consent to remain any longer exposed
to profound industrial disturbances for
lack of additional means of arbitration
and conciliation which the congress can
easily and promptly supply. And all
win agree that there must be no doubt
as to the power of the executive to
make immediate and uninterrupted use
of the railroads for the concentration
OF the military forccs of the nation
Whenever they are needed and when
ever they are needed.
This is II programme of regulation,
prevention, and administrative eff.
cheney which argues its own ease in
the mere statement of il. With regard
to one of its items, the increase in the
efficiency of the Interstate Commerce
commission, the house of representa-
tives has slread" acted; its action
needs only the concurrence OF The SEN
ate.
Affects All the People
! would hesitate to recommend, and
! dare say the congress would hesitate
to act upon tho suggestion should |
make Il, that any man in any occupa'
ton should be obliged Jy law to con
tiuue in an employment which he dc.
sired to leave. TO pass a law which
forbade or prevented the individual
workman to leave his work before re-
ceiving the approval of society in do
ing so would be to adopt n new prin'
ciple into our jurisprudence wsich
take i, lor "ranted we are not prepared
to introduce. But the proposal that
the operation of the railways of the
country shall not be stopped or inter
rupted by the concerted action of or
2anizcd bodies of men until u public
investigation shall have been inSiitut'
ed 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 worry different principle that the
concerted action of powerful bodies
of men shall not be permitted to stop
the Industrial processes of the nation,
AT any rate before the nation shall
have had an opportunity TO acquaint
itself with the merits of the ease as
between employee and employer, time
TO form its opinion upon an impartial
statement of the merits, and opportu
nifty to consider all practicable means
of cancellation or arbitration ! can
see nothinu in that proposition but the
iusifiahlc safeguarding by society OF
The necessary processes of its very
life There is nothing arbitrary or un
Just in il unless it be arbitrarily and
uniustly done II can and should be
done with full and scrupulous regard
tor the interests aud liberties of all
concerned as well MS for the perma
ncnt interests OF society itself,
To Extend Foreign Trade
Three matters of capital importance
await the action of the senate which