The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1916-12-07

er of the interstate commerce commits
sion to grant an increase of rates on
the ground referred to Is indisputably
clear. and recommendation by the
congress with regard to such matter
might seem 10 draw In question the
scope of the commissions authority or
its inclination to do justice when there
is no reason TO doubt either.
The other suggestions-the increa sc
in the interstate commerce commits
sions membership and in its facilities
for performing its manifold duties, the
provision for full public investigation
and assessment of industrial disputes,
and the grant 10 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.
New Legislation Necessary.
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 a failure to
act upon these grave matters or any
unnecessary postponement of action.
! Not only does the interstate COM
merce commission now find it practical
ly impossible, with its present member
ship and organization, to perform its
great functions promptly and thorough
| ly, 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 instrument.
The country cannot and should not
consent to remain any longer exposed
for lack of additional means of arbi-
tration 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
centration of the military forces of the
nation wherever they are needed and
whenever they are needed.
This is a program of regulation, pre-
vention and administrative efficiency
which argues its own case in the mere
statement of it, With regard to one of
its items, the increase in the efficiency
of the interstate commerce commission,
the house of representatives has al
ready acted. It's action needs only the
concurrence Of the senate.
To Safeguard Industrial Processes.
| would hesitate to recommend. and
] 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 law which forbade or pre-
vented the individual workman TO leave /
his work before receiving the approval |
of society in doing so would be to
adopt new principle into our juris-
prudence which | take it for granted
we are not prepared TO introduce Bnt
the proposal that the operation of the
railways Of the country shall not be
stopped or interrupted by the concert
ed action of organized bodies of men
until a public investigation shall have
been instituted which shall make the
whole question at issue plain for the
Judgment of the opinion Of the nation
is not to propose any such principle.
II is based upon the very different
principle that the concerted action OF
powerful bodies Of men shall not be
permitted to stop the industrial pro-
resses OF the nation, at any rate before
The nation shall have had an opportu-
atty to acquaint itself with the merits
II the case as between employee and
Employer time TO form its opinion upon
In impartial statement of the merits,
sgd opportunity TO consider all practi-
.sbe means OF Cancellation or arbitra-
1on.
~ can see nothing in that proposition
,ut the justifable safeguarding by so
.iety of the necessary processes Of its
Tery life There is nothing arbitrary 9
n unjust in il unless il be arbitrarily 9
md unjustly done. II can and should !
,e done with a full and scrupnlous re Y
ard for the interests and liberties Of {
II concerned as well as FOR the per {
nanent interests OF society itself =
Three matters Of capital importance {
wait the action Of the senate which !
ave already been acted upon by the c
ouse OF representatiyes-th bin which &
eeks TO extend greater freedom Of o
10 those engaged in pro d