The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-09-04
Takes Shot at Hughes for Dan
bury Hatters' Decision.
Says Nothing to Debate on Re.
cent S-HOur Demand.
PHYSICAL WELL BEING, ISSUE
DenOunceS Arbitration as
Means of Beating Unions.
Labor Day Finds Unions
Stronger Than Ever Before.

Lewiston, Maine. Sept. An a La
dor day address here, Samuel Comp
ers, president of the American FEEDER
alton of Labor praised President
Wilson's administration for its
achievement in the interest of labor
movement and denounced the deci-
sions of the supreme court in the
Danbury Hatters and Arizona anti
alien law cases. which he pointed out.
were participated in by Charles E.
Hughes, the Republican nominee.
In a lengthy discussion of the
threatened railway strike, he defend
ed the attitude of the brotherhoods
and, while he praised President Will
son for his efforts to settle the con-
troversy, he unqualifiedly denounced
any attempt at legislation to compel
arbitration.
The demand of the railroads
brotherhood is a clear cut issue" he
said They now make the simple
demand that their lives and their
physical well being be protected and
that they shall be required only to
work such a reasonable period of time
as industrial experience has shown
to be expedient. For the eight hour
principle has been universally accept
ed by society. The 8-hour workman
productive worker than the one who
labors long hours.
S-Hour Day a Fundamental Principle.
The railroad brotherhoods have not
refused to accept arbitration They
have declared that the eight hour
work day involves a principle of hu-
man welfare that cannot be disputed
and therefore cannot be arbitrated
They are willing to submit every other
issue, all of which are arbitrable, to a
mutual satisfactory tribunal In this
position they are in accord with every
crganiza ton or orga nism that has ever
declared for the principle of arbitra-
ton. Now even the most eXtravagant
advocate of world peace thru the pro-
cess of arbitration does not include
certain fundamental principles as not
justifiable or not arbitrable. The ra
road brotherhoods are standing firmly
for a fundamental principle of human
welfare.
The railroad men presented their
demands and made their fight in
simple direct manner. They have re-
lied entirely upon their economic or
ganization. They have not sought any
special privilege, any legal protection
or endeavored to utilize any govern
mental agency to establish their just
demands. They have secured atten-
ton and won favor to their cause be-
cause back of their contentious was
an organization that represented pow
ct ana SERVICE.
Makes Striker a Criminal.
''They have made a virile, straight
forward fight, and they deny that rail-
raod Presidents or managers ought to
be given the special privilege or the
advantage that would accrue from
compulsory ALTERATION. Their position
is in accord with the position of the
American Federation of Labor.
Compulsory arbitration or so-called
investigation is simply a way to re-
strain free necessary action on the
part of wage earners and to make
them more easily dominated by en-
ployers.> 1t only makes the striker a
criminal and gives authority for falling
workers who quit work.
employers appreciate the impor-
lance of the shorter work day; they
know that it means more independent
Workmen, workmen not so readily
held in submission. 1t is necessary for
the protection and the best interests
OF the workers to whom the law will
apply, as we'll as to all of the workers
of the state, that every man shall do
his best, that every woman in Maine
shall aid to secure the approval of this
act.
Labor for More Freedom
Labor day, September. 1916, finds
the trade union movement in the Unit
ed States in a stronger position than
ever before. The labor movement
means something more than demands