Omaha daily bee., 1916-09-01

tration where we stand only to lose
There have been many unfair men on
our arbitration boards.
Under ordinary processes OF our
policies" said Garretson. I'VE would
be out of accord with all OF the five
propositions made by the president
But in the hope OF effecting settle
| ment we are willing to waive many
deep-rooted principles and we are
willing to aid in passage OF legisla-
tive remedy that will make it possible
to recall the order to strike Septem-
her 4. The eight-hour law is accom-
I, panied by provision to assure the
ten hours pay pending inquiry and
| suggest provision that the gov
eminent should bring suit in case a
road refused to grant the pay, as is
provided in the hours OF service law
would satisfy us in this emergency.
"As for compulsory arbitration
said Garretson, mo influence that
ever can be brought TO bear can in
duce our organization to accept it.
want to go on record here as protest
ing against anything that savors Of
making men stay at work during any
| investigation"
Senator Newlands interrupted Mr..
Garretson to say it was his under
standing that the proposed bill would
not prevent any man from leaving his
employment during an investigation.
Concerted action, he said, was what
it was designed to prevent Quite
true" Mr.. Garretson said, "but If
only men, individually, threatened to
strike on the railroads we would not
be here now discussing this proposed
legislation"
The brotherhoods, Mr.. Garretson
said, would not oppose being drafted
to run trains as long as it was only
for military purposes.
Asked for the attitude OF the BROTH
erhoods on Senator Lees pending
resolution TO have the strike post
poned week, Mr.. Garretson said he
would like to discuss that later. Gar
retson declared that in accepting the
presidents proposal the men had
yielded so per cent OF their demands.
Address Of Mr.. Gompers.
Mr.. Gompers, who followed Mr..
Garretson, said that the federation
supported the brotherhoods and pro-
tested against compulsory arbitra-
ton. He attacked government opcr-
alton OF roads for military purposes,
contcnding It was CONSUMPTION and
indefensible in time OF peace.
Senator Ncwlands denied his con.
tcntion that the legislation denied
the right OF worker to quit his job.
Mr.. Newiands reiterated IT meant
only to affect the right to quit in con-
cert.
Mr.. Gompers said he believed he
had contributed as much as anybody
in America to avoiding strikes.
"But, gentlemen" he said, there
are things worse than strikes. We
have got to live when that strike is
over and is history, and then, ! ask
you, will we find on the statute books
law that says that men are crimi-
nails II they strike In concert? Such
condition is intolcrable. ] trust
this legislation will not be enacted"
Question by Newlands.
Senator Newlands asked Gompers
to give the committee the solution Of
the problem. ~
"On Monday" said Mr.. Newlands,
THE railroads OF the country will be
tied up. | think the members Of this
committee agree with me that conf
pulsory arbitration and compulsory
service are both impossible and in
advisable. The suggestion therefore
is made that the government make an
investigation and there be mediation
and that pending an inquiry into the
facts the parties maintain the status
quo. Now il this remedy Is not right
and is wholly wrong, what Is the rem
edyf"
Mr.. Gompers replied that under the
circumstances the employees should be
left free to strike whenever they saw
fit, and not forced to unfold their
arms" by law. The question Of bring
ing about peace now, he insisted,
should devolvc upon railroad heads
who should be expected to agree to
some sort Of satisfactory settlement.
III Is more essential he said, "that
the liberties OF the employees should
be safeguarded than that some suffer-
ing, which IS certain to follow strike,
be avoided
Eight-Hour Day Satisfactory.
w. G. Lee, head OF the trainmen,
went into details OF why the men
refused to arbitrate the eight-hour
day, saying that in many parts Of
the south and southwest the men
had II and "could not arbitrate
whether we should live in house
which we have bought and paid for"
I'VE stand ready" he said, ito ar
bitrate all other issues as soon as the
presidents eight-hour day proposal Is
enacted into law. IL is beyond us, i
we ever hope to remain officers Of
these organizations, il we ever expect
to retain the respect Of those men, to
stop this strike by any other method
than TO send our general chairmen
Q - UD 3 0mO 0ne .