Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-12-08

but It postponed action upon the other
suggestions until an opportunity should
be offered for more deliberate con-
sideration Of them. The forth rec
ommendation 1 do not deem it neces-
sary to renew. The power of the in
terstate commerce commission to grant
an increase of rates on the ground re-
ferred to is indisputably clear and a
recommendation by the congress with
regard to such matter might seem to
draw in question the scope of the COM
missions authority or it's inclination to
do Justice when there is no reason to
doubt either
The other suggestions-the Increase
in the interstate commerce commits
sion's 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
intrusted 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
unnecessary postponement of action
upon them.
Not only does the interstate COM
merce commission now find it practi-
cally impossible, with its present mem
bership and organization, to perform
its great functions promptly and thor
oughly. but it 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 arbitra-
tion and Cancellation which the con-
gress can easily and promptly supply.
And all will agree that there must be
no doubt as to the power of the execu-
tive to make immediate and uninter-
| rupted use of the railroads for the con-
ccntration of the military forces of the
nation wherever they are needed and
whenever they are needed.
| mn -,
vention and administrative efficiency
| which argues it's own case in the mere
statement of it. With regard to. one
of its items, the increase in the eff
| cheney of the interstate commerce com
mission. the house of Representatives
has already acted; it's action need;
only the concurrence of the senate.
For Control and Operation.
l would hesitate to recommend, ant
dare say the congress would hesitate
to act upon the suggestion should
make it, that any man in any occupa
ton should be obliged by law to con
tinue in an employment which he de
sired to leave. To pass a law whicl
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 a new prin
ciple into our Jurisprudence which
take 1t for granted we are not prepare.
to introduce. But the proposal tina
the operation of the railways of tn
country shall not be stopped or inter
rupted by the concerted action of OIL
ganized bodies of men until a publ
investigation shall have been institute
which shall make the whole Questio
at issue plain for the judgment of tn
opinion of the nation is not to propos
any such principle. 1t is based upo
the very different principle that the cor
certed action of powerful bodies of me
shall not be permitted to stop the il
dustrial processes of the nation, at an
rate before the nation shall have ha
an opportunity to acquaint itself wit
the merits of the case as between en-
ployee and employer, time to form il
opinion upon an impartial statemer
of the merits, and opportunity to col
slider all practicable means of conclli;
ton or arbitration.
1 can see nothing in that propositiO
but the justi1able safeguarding by 81
ciety Of the necessary processes {
its very life. There is nothing arb
trary or unjust in it unless it be arb
trarily and unjustly done. 1t can an
should be done with a full and scrupr
lous regard for the interests and libeI
ties of all concerned as well as for tn
permanent interests of society itself.
Other Legislation Urged.
Three matters of capital importanc
await the action Of the senate whic
, have already been acted upon by I'll
house of Representatives the bi
which seeks to extend greater freedol
: OF combination to those engaged in DR.
: noting the foreign commerce of I'll
country than is now thought by SON
: to be legal under the terms of the law
against monopoly; the bill amendiu
the present organic law of Porto Rice
: and the bill proposing a more tho
ough and systematic regulation of IL
. expenditure of money in elections, cor
monty called the Corrupt Practices Ac
: need not labor my advice that the,
: measures be enacted into law. The
urgency lies in the manifest circur
{ stances which render their adoption
: this time not only Opportune but nece
sary. Even delay would serious
2 leopard the interests Of the count
9 and of the government.
+; Immediate passage of the hill to re