New-York tribune., 1917-12-08

sons III lne lNduCldl uIoOllN0 oAS VI
the opinion that nothing is at all
likely to happen which has not been
discounted in advance by the great
price recessions of the last year.
Railroad men generally regard
the Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion's recommendation for unifica-
ton as a fair one and believe that
it offers the best way out Of a bad
situation. Most Of them appear to
be decidedly opposed to the adop-
ton of the alternative proposal
that is. the one suggesting govern
ment operation-which they regard
as certain to lead to government
ownership. This view is heartily
indorsed by railroad labor, for the
simple reason that they fear collec-
tive bargaining would be impossible
if the government should assume
absolute control of the carriers.
The position of the brotherhoods is
indicated by an editorial in the lat
est number Of "The Locomotive
Engineers Journal" the official
organ of the Brotherhood of Loco
motive Engineers. The editorial
says:
"There is much talk of the need
of Federal control of the railroads,
probably similar to that of the Eng
lish government. This would no
doubt advance the efficiency of the
railroads to supply the eKtraordi-
nary needs in consequence Of war.
In England a general manager of
all the railroads was appointed.
The owners of the forty-three roads
kept their property, the government
guaranteeing the proprietors that
their net income should be the same
as in 1918, and an additional allow
ance for additional interest on new
investments and expenditures made
necessary by the war need, The
competition between the roads was
swept away, and as we understand
their government control, all traffic
is routed the shortest way, regard
less if that road owns the car in
which it is loaded Consequently
the cars mostly take loads both
ways, causing a very large increase
in capacity without increase in
number.
"While this condition may como to
me American roads, we do not think
the employees will be particularly
pleased to have their liberty of con-
tract abridged by such a process,
though not necessarily harmful
\ while the war lasts. If our govern
mcnt does as that of England did,
= It will give a bonus to meet In
creased cost Of living, though never
enough. The railway men there
got their first bonus in February,
1915, which WAS revised and In
creased before the end Of the year /;
again in 1915, and again in April,
1917, always made on petition Of
the organized members; but the
conditions of 1913 remain to gov
srn the conditions with the various
railway companies when the war is
over. With this realization in mind
he organizations in train service in
England have grown amazingly.
They realize that all the strength
hey can possibly muster will be
aecessary to defend their class, and
maintain or advance in keeping
With their real needs
"The new labor demands seem TO
rive the major incentive TO the con-
temptation of government control
sy taking over the roads, but we
would much prefer TO see the roads
Ioin in a pool with directing head
and leave the employees in full pos
session Of their rights 20 negotiate
'or remuneration in harmony with
he needs the war has created,
which cannot be expected when the
employees are restricted as they nat
lrally would be with service under
h ,,o,,orrn,e,, direct We hope