Arizona republican., 1917-03-31

commerce commission listened generally unfavorably
to the application of the roads for increases. But
since then its attitude toward the roads has been
friendlier, and any reasonable showing applica-
tons for increases have been granted.
In the negotiations leading up to the enactment
of the Adamson law policy than
limited at, although embodied in the law The
disputes between the railways and their employees
to be amicably settled at the expense of the
public. 1t suggested that an acceptance by the
roads of the terms of the Adamson bill would
lowed by a permission to increase Previous
the decision OF the supreme court sustaining the
Adamson law the roads and the brotherhoods had
reached which put effect SO far as
concerned wages and hours the terms of the law
The only effect of the decision therefore was to con-
firm the right of congress had done and
to declare that future disputes roads and
their employees must be arbitrated
There is enforced peace between them In
of a grievance affecting wages or hours either
must appeal to the government If the employees want
higher wages shorter hours request is
denied by the roads, appeal may be made direct
to congress- it may be made board of arbitra
ton. If it is granted by either be the roads
next move ask to be allowed recoup themselves
by increasing their rates This easy arrangement
calculated to exclude all friction between the railways
and their employees 1t encourages their cooperation
in appeals the congress or the commission
The roads in times past have exercised great in
fluence in congress by means of adrot representa-
tives At a later period and quite lately the en-
ployes have exerted a great influence in that body
by the of their votes These influences now
combined, ought effectua in keeping the peace
between employers and employed at the expense Of
the public
Pint hi
definitely. since there is another party that
be adversely affected by it. The public will
eventually make protest that will heard for the
organized influence of the public it is aroused
will be greater with congress than that of the
and the brotherhoods combined We imagine the
public will not wait long organize.
Protests already pouring into the commission
against the applications of the roads to make sweep
ing increases of their meet the expenses i'm
posed by the operation of the Adamson law. At the
meeting before the commission next week for the
further consideration of the tentative ruling abolish
ing the back haul coast to intermountain points
some line on the proposed policy may be given
out though the subject for discussion the meeting
is separate from the applications increased
and the protests against them.
The whole situation is different from any other
that has arisen affecting the relation between the
roads and the public. 1t is problem with new ele
ments and it is one that cannot be solved byNpatch
work legislation such that by which the strike
last averted. We have gained by that
legislation a guaranty that the roads and their en-
ployes may longer disturb and inconvenience the
public with their quarrels We have in place that
condition, arrangement by which the roads and
their employees may keep alive their friendly
tons at the expense of the public.