Putnam patriot., 1916-09-29
THE CASE FOR HE RAILROADS

N-AAsA@NAN VA A+4~ ADN% Eec hN-NfF1s erhoods
 The President and the labor leaders say you cannot arbitrate @ question
 like the eigbt-hour day and that ssO- ciety has settled the question" As to the settlement If the eight hour prin cipie. it is interesting to remember that California goted on the subject only two years ago The vote in Cali. fornia was an actual test of American public opinion on the question The California voters passed on the eight hours q day in an election held Nov. 8. l9l4. The result was 5e0. .ssl against and 2s2 COG for the eight hour day. Of the fifty eight counties in California the eight-bour day failed 10 carry one In San Francisco the adverse majority was sms lest, being 70,999 against to 4 ,629 for. In Los Angeles the vote was i33.704 against to 74,5s3 for.
 This k the only official expression Of the popular will en record that know of and the result was tas naturally to be expeetedi because mess people fin the world have to work more than eight hours day-the farmer. the clerk the storekeeper, the teacher, the minister, the doctor. thousands of good wives, mothers. daughters and sisters fin caring for their homes the man of United States And every one of the railroad presidents who signed the declaration of principles to the Presi- dent have nil their lives worked more than eight hours day. Nearly all of them rose from the ranks-trainman locomotive engineer, locomotive fire man, clerk. telegraph operator, level ro8man and they have very deep and human sympathy with the men in the service. And we may without dis respect to the President take issue with him as to whether or not the United States Is far enough along in its history and development to adopt definitely the eight-hour day.
 Those who made the American Ma tion what f. is today worked long and hard. We hear that eight hours or less work n day is all that n strong, healthy man should do. Where would the United States now be if our forefathers had been content with eight hours work a day? Where will the United States be In the race for future com merclal supremacy among the nations if this spirit continuesY We have ships to build, railways to develop. an army and navy to be manned. and countless tasks to perform. Every patriotic man should give the best that Is in him. not the least, if we are to avoid serious diff faculties at home and abroad.
 The American people are q just and generous people and they wish to re duce want and hardship to mini mum; but they do not Ike 10 be taken by the throat ny any body of 100000 men and made to do something before they understand it's present and future effects.
 Some arc speaking of the present prosperity of the railways. II Is true that they are enjoying large gains com pared with Il year ago in both gross and net earnings. bnt no one can tel what conditions will be when the dreadful European war ends. Costs of operation are increasing in all dree tions The cost of materials used by railways has advanced from 100 10 TOO per cent. Necessary Improvements have been deferred: and in spite of the pres ent prosperity the railways have sen ous problems ahead The question of meeting the growing cost of operation Is serious one When we speak of the present prosperity of the railways We should also recall the losses fin the ways looks out In prosperous years for the poor years that are bound to come
 In time of profound peace In this country the railways are congested and cannot carry satisfactorily the to tai load What could they do fin thcil present coalition If the added burden of wan were thrown upon themt Many industries would have to stop because the railways first duty would be to handle ilie men and material in. eidcnt to war.
 The President and Congress have placed heavy burden upon the rail ways and the people of the country lr their surrendct fo the demands of the hrotherhoolS before the effect of thnSr demands npun tho organization and ef ficicncy of the railways could be ac. curately determined, The owners and managers as loyal citizens of the eoun. try will do their best to carry that burden and furnish to the people the needed service if. after ample thought it is proved that the new law is right If. however. the nasty action just talk on results in industrial disturbance poorer service. undeyeloped railways higher rates demnralzed business. and higher cost of living the owners. the employees. and the public will all suf
 fer It Is most earnestly to be hoped
 that the people will insist that Con
 gross take up promptly the whole sub
 feet and adjust lt fairly to all aue
 show the moral courage and force [,
 correct the mistake that has been
 made
 The action taken in Washington doe.
 not seem to breathe spirit of justice
 to tue tA3NiiN NW WtittN Htu tuners Alhl
 " Interested h the intesrity of fhe In
 stments and co other wage earners i the railway Serfite, or to the puhli
 feuendtpt unaa their work
 have fram 'he time this question
 began to hc tliScpSSea seriously felt
 yhat i' opghl not to he settled without
 @Nme the nnhlic, the real party in in
 terest til'v ta pHdersand it. and al
 epprtunitv to express its opinion he
 fore the Congress or aa impartis tribunal created hv the President O