The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-07
CONGRESS RECEIVES
LABOR'S RAIL PLAN


would stop all the railroads OF the coun-
try II the Plumb plan was not adopted
WAS characterized by Mr.. stone as the
rankest kind OF nonsense"
I'VE know the railroads will be run
whether this plan 10 adopted or not" he
said. THE Government would use the
power at It's command to operate them.
because people are dependent ON the rail-
roads for their very existence"
Chairman Bsch then questioned Mr..
Morrison about the threats of the en-
ployees 70 force through the Plumb
plan.
do you believe in the naturalization
Of railroads by public opinion expressed
through CongressT' Mr.. Sims asked.
Yes" replied Mr.. Morrison.
what method would you adopt to
bring Il about7''
I'VE would try to convince the coun-
try II was the most feasible plan"
Would you apply duress?" pursued
Mr.. Sims.
That is not part Of the plan of or
ganised labor"
Would you use the present political
parties or try TO organize n labor party
for the express purpose OF putting over
the Plumb plan and extending II to other
Industries that are considered semi-pub-
Hep asked Chairman Esch.
6hoof mas pan 10 organize n
political party" Mr.. Morrison replied.
ut is partisan to principles, not
parties"
In case the Plumb plan is not
adopted would the efforts of your organ
ization be to secure its adoption by one
political party and thus submit the ques-
ton to a national referendum next
yearT'
THAT very probably would be our
course"
THAT would be the peaceful and true
American procedure. would it not?"
asked Mr.. Esch.
That's the procedure we have always
followed" Mr.. Morrison insisted.
Representative Barley (Ky.) asked
what would be the situation II both
parties put such plank in their plat
form. Mr.. Morrison replied that would
Indicate even greater sentiment for the
plan.
No Coercive Measures.
1T no political party adopted such n
plank what would be your procedure
asked Representative Barley
Labor would then carry on an edu-
cation campaign to influence members"
Mr.. Morrison replied. at would cir
cularize the people and let them decide.
but II would not use coercive measures"
In urging reduction OF the present
cost Of living Mr.. Stone declared rail-
road wages had increased 81 per cent.
while the cost Of living had gone up
50 per cent. This brought sharp declara-
lions from several members that the
railroad employees had benefited more
than any other class.
Mr.. Stone sharply criticised Congress-
for not taking action to reduce the cost
Of living. but Immediately was taken to
task by Representative Winslow MASS.
who asked what should be done.
NO definite plan could be given by
Mr.. Stone, other than that profiteers
should be punished. although he prom
lsed to present one later.
Congress has known this situation
for several months and Is now talking
Of adjourning." said Mr.. Stone. ut re-
minds one OF Nero fiddling while Rome
| burned. Congress has been so busy
playing politics that 1t has given no
| thought to the common people"
Mr.. Winslow asked IL he didn't think
the executive departments with all their
war powers had ample authority to meet
! the situation.
You know we are still at war and all
the war laws regulating prices are still
In force?" Mr.. Winslow asked
4 fes.' replied Mr. Stone, I'VE are in
1 war. an Industrial war, and during tina,
| time the Government should have power
| to fix and regulate prices"
New Crusade to Start,
Mr.. Stone in his statement before the
COMMITTEES said regarding the plan Of
railroad naturalization: 1--WE advance
| 10 new crusade with the faith of the
| Pilgrims"
| are N,ott ara co disao.tnaoa .--t.E =,
lions. why don't you do as the Pilgrim
Fathers did-dig out?" asked Represen.
tative Winslow.
There's no place TO dig to-" Mr.. Stone
| exclaimed.
| Mr.. Winslow also brought out that
the brotherhood chiefs had taken no
referendum vote on the question of Gov.
eminent ownership and could not state
whether 1t was the wish of the en-
ployees they represent. This Mr.. Stone
was compelled to admit.
Mr.. Winslow failed In Efforts TO obtair
from Mr.. Morrison a categorical YES
or No answer as to whether the rail
road employees and labor in genera
were not better or in this country now
than ever before.
His first question was:
| Has labor. including railroad EN-.
ployees, at any time In any country eve,
been so well fed, clothed, housed or en-.
tertained as in the United States to.
| day2
Mr.. Morrison first replied this wa.
true at the time of the arlnistIoe, and
then said taking into account the in
| creased cost Of living conditions wer,
not as good as In 1914.
| The second question was:
Has labor ever been so we'll off ir
regard to bank deposits as now?'
! Il have no accurate information or
that subject" was Morrison's reply
Startling Statements Made.
Despite the declarations of the labor
heads that they propose to carry on A
peaceful propaganda TO force Govern.
ment ownership. several startling state.
| ments that several committeeman con.
EIdered revolutionary were made by the
| witnesses.
There Is u growing belief that cap;.
tG' is not entitled to leturn OH its in.
vehtments," WAS one made BY Mr. Stone
Questioning ty Representative Coady
| (Md) failed to cause Mr.. Stone TO re-
veal any details other than, at is a
question for future discussion"
But capital has saved up profits that
probably should have gone to the work.
ers," Mr.. Stone added.
Another startling statement was to the
effect in the near future It probably
would be considered unfair to allow
children to inherit the fortunes of their
/ IN ANaAm N.Uak