The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-09-06
CARSS Defends
RAILROAD LABOR
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formation relating to the Rlumb plan
that could be effectively distributed.
l suggest that no one will disagree
with me that this was anything less
than praiseworthy.
"Mr. Plumb, testifying before the
committee on interstate commerce,
has explained how the bill came to be
introduced when it was. The program
called for Introduction not before Oc-
tober, and then as the spirit of re-
sistance on the wage questions be-
came apparent, the program was
changed, and the labor bill was thrown
into the basket to prove to the meE
in the shops and on the trains that
their interests were being carefully
served. So, as it happens, the threats
of strike were not made in support OF
the Sims bill, but the Sims bill wa:
introduced when it was as an effect
i've answer to the strikes.
Deserves More Than Hysteria.
american labor is pursuing in the
matter of this naturalization legisla-
ton course which deserves some
thing more intelligent than the hys-
terra to be noted in certain quarters.
After all. there are over 5000, 900
union members in America, and they
have right to be heard in this con-
gress, and any measure upon which
they unite after due consideration Is
surely worthy of debate on the floor
Of congress. There have been no
threats nith ar INV NV;
endo, as to what would happen if
congress did not see fit to discuss
what 100000 voters asked in legit-
innate manner to have discussed.
Il have taken the trouble to inform,
myself, and I can say that in pre-.
senting the Plumb plan to this house
the leaders of the American labur
movement have shown a full trust
in the democratic institutions of this
country. And it remains with us of
congress TO show whether we will
give the proposal of 100000 voters
full thoughtful American hearing
Or only Il scant and formal acknowl-
edgement.
Mr.. Chairman, l want to say to
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Blan-
TOM that l protest against the lang
uage he used with reference to the
railroad men of this country.
II protest in the name Of Thousands;
of loyal, Industrious, patriotic Ameri-
can citizens. I protest in the name
| of their wives and children, whose
husbands and fathers have been
characterized as highway men on the
floor Of this house I protest in tn ,
name of the hundreds of railroad men
who freely gave their lives for the
! cause of democracy and who now
sleep their last long sleep in the blood
soaked soil of France
Must Meet Issue.
II wish to say to the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Blanton) in the kind
lest manner possible and with all due
allowance for the natural fervencv Of
his disposition that the great probleni
! Of social unrest which now confronts
lis can not be solved by the calling
of hard names. 1t is problem that
challenges the best brains of the
world to solve and it must be an.
preached from a different angle than
that from which the gentleman seems
to approach it,
Il present to this congress that the
men and women who toll have the
same joys and SORROWS the same ideals
and aspirations, and the same rights
under that flag as have the men and
women for whom they toll.
IF we keep these Iacts in mind
when attempting a solution of this
great problem, I hope and trust this
congress will be able to formulate leg
lsiat1on that will be just to all the
people of this grea Republic and
that we may hand down to our chit
dren a greater, a better, and purer
democracy than tho one that we now
enjoy.
Mr.. Chairman, have heard it stat
ed at different times that the major
lty part of this House was responsible
FOR legislation. I do not hold with
those that take that view I believe
that every man here is responsible,
regardless of his ~litical affiliations,
ana want to say that I am ready
Tor one to cooperate with any man
or any group of men who are a.
tempting in an honest way to pass leg
lstatlon that will relieve the country
OF the conditions that are confront
ing It, [ thank YOU"