Denver labor bulletin., 1916-12-02
We Want to Know
By SCOTT NEARING.

The next session of congress will open
in country calling for information as
the thirsty call for water. The Adam
son eight hour law opens the way to a
thoro knowledge of railroad facts. No
problem is more vital to this country
than the problem OF transportation. 1t
is upon that vital problem that we de-
niand light.
We want to know. Mr.. Congressman.
There are a hundred million OF US, all
from Missouri, looking for information
on this railroad question.
We want to know how much of the
twenty billions OF railroad stocks and
bonds represent real values, and how
much represents rainwater; how much
was invested in the properties by bona
fide investors and how much Of the pres
ent value is re-invested profits?
We want to know how much of the
real present yalue-twenty billions. more
or Iess-was really invested, dollar for
dollar. once upon time, and how much
is represented by the increase in the
value OF the millions OF acres OF timber
and mineral land. given free to the rail
road: Of terminal sites in cities. and OF
franchise values and rights Of way.
We want to know how much it costs
to carry freight and passengers from one
part OF the country to another.
We want to know whether Louis D.
Brandeis was right when he charged that
hundreds Of millions could be saved ev-
cry wear out of the cost Of operating
railroads If they were handled with or
dinarv intelligence and on a basis Of
rea sonable efficiency.
We want To know who controls the
railroads Of the United. States. That
does not mean the number Of stock and
bondholders-there are several hundred
thousand Of them-it does mean the
handful Of men who can gather about
table and decide the railroad policy for
the entire country: Who are these men.
How much power do they really hold.
! When do they exercise it and howl
We want TO know how much the big
| fellows arc getting ont Of the rail.
roads We learned about the New Hav.
cu after the deluge. We have seen the
results Of similar highvav robbery on
/ other railroad systems since. L that
] kind of thing going or an over the
country DO the great banking houses
milk the railroads for their own profit
and then sou1 the hill r1 the public. IN
/ the form Of increased freight rates on
| flour and shoess
We want 10 know whHt part Of the
railroad earnings goes 70 those who own
those who work ON the -ilro8ds This
has become m important question ro-
US There ere owners and workmon I'm
every American industry The railroad
industry the largest SINGLE American
business outside Of agriculture n
| first rate idea Of the situation that Is
developing in our industrial life.
We want 10 know how much the own
ers OF American railroads are getting
in interest dividends and increased
| property values They own for living
! What does their ownership net them >
| Is IL true that many Of the railroads IN
/ addition to paving interest and divi-
/ donds are turning profits back into cap
] ital and LAYING away fat Surplusesy
We want to know how much those
/ who work on the American railroads are
/ getting in wages and salaries. They
/ ,gorl, for a living. What dos their work
net them' Do the wages OF raiIrnad
/ workers compensate for the extra haz-
ards involved in the industry l. Il
| true that some Of the men i'm the con
struction camps and the maintenance
/ of-wav crews: in the shops. and among
Z tho traclSmcn receive = wage so low that
] it forces them and their families into
/ poverty
We want to know about railroad un-
l ions. Is IL true that the unorEanizcd
railroad workers who do not belong to
the brotherhoods are denied the right to
organize? That under the cloak fur
uishci by the brothcrhoods. the railroads
have carried on a consistent policy Of
ruthless destruction Of unionism'
We want to know these things about
the greatest single business in the coun-
/ try-a business with twenty billions of
capital and one and three quarter mil
| lions Of workers, Out representatives In
! Washington are the only people in the
! ! nitcd States who can give Us Il salts
] factory answer.