The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-16

the very fact of the willingness of the
executives to face the loss of millions
would have made the men pause.
But they felt that they were the
stronger and could force compliance.
Gentlemen, / submit that this is goin &
PACK to the days of Robin Hood and
the hignwayman-
If the men can gain their point sim
ply by display of force there can be
no end to what they will take and
not only these particular organizations
out others And it is upon the prin-
ciple that increases in pay or changes
in working conditions must be found
ed on right and not on force that the
Santa Fe bases its objections to the
Adamson act We do not think the
eight-hour basis of payment for train
service Is a correct one. If investiga-
ton and a hearing can show that we
are wrong we will abide by the deci-
SION On the other hand, we are not
prepared to give in because a pistol is
placed at our heads, and if. in the flu
ture, trouble comes of this cause we
want you men of Topeka to know the
real thing at the bottom of the trou-
Bile. 1t is not eight-hour days, it is not
punitive overtime, it is the taking of
our property-of your property, be-
cause you will have to ultimately pay
the bill-by force.
Some of the leaders have openly
not go into effect on January / there
will be a strike. 1t is this threat that
has made me want to ted you tonight
where we stand We hope there will
be no strike. we hope our men will
see that might never settled anything
permanently unless it was right.
have asked some of our men if they
intend to strike on January 1 and
they frankly say they do not know.
And now as to the recommendation
of the president in his recent MESA ge
to congress. The labor leaders thru
out the country have announced their
unalterable opposition to it on the
ground that it is involuntary servi-
tude. This is an excuse only and the
president is right What the laws
should provide is that the business of
this country cannot be tied up by a
body of men seeking their ends thru
the suffering and loss that will come
to the community unless their de-
mands are complied with. Involun-
tary servitude does not enter the uues-
ton because no man that leaves the
employ during a strike has any idea
of leaving the service. His sole idea
is that by quitting simultaneously with
all his fellows, he can compel US to
| re-employ him at higher terms than
he has been receiving. The country
has no right to ask a man to stay in
any service if he desires to leave il
J,
| but the country has right to say that
men may not form a conspiracy to all
| quit a. once. Gentlemen. we hope the
| presidents recommendation will carry.
No Bonus for Unions
| 1 assume that you have all heard
of the bonus which has been given by
our directors to our employees. There
is one element of that action that de-
serves mention here tonight; viz
leaving the four train organizations
out of that award. 1t was not intend
ed as an attack on the unto is or as g
| discrimination against the unions The
| facts are that the men asked US to &C
into a nationwide movement tc
! change schedules. We consented. Al
the questions brought up are still with
the general committee and we do no
know the outcome. If the Adamsor
Jaw is declared unconstitutional there
will probably be further negotiation.
and the results may give the men more
than we have now distributed to tn,
others. If the act is constitutional tn.
cost to US will be very heavy and thes,
J are the men that will benefit
wages for some of our men are to b,
fixed by law, we, of course, are alb
] sol ve1 r-oc-n1c;hffftx