The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-07
TRIPLE CONTROL
IS EXPLAINED
Glenn E. Plumb, Chicago
Lawyer, Argues for Public
Ownership of Railroads.
CAUSES OF PRESENT EVILS
Laid at Door of Universal
Lowering of Standard Of
Living and H. O. Of L.

Living and H. o. of L.
Washington, Aug. 7.--Leading d.
rectly from Wall street and from
the banking ghouses controlled directly
by the Morgan and Rockefeller
groups" information which has come
into the possession OF the railroad
brotherhoods, shows that there has
proceeded a systematized plundering
OF virtually all OF the public trans
portation highways in the United
States" the house interstate COM
merce committee was told today by
Glenn f. Plumb. OF Chicago.
Mr.. Plumb. who appeared in sup
port OF the so-called Plumb plan for
the reorganization Of the railroads,
said the information tended to show
that the "wrecking and looting" OF
the New Haven, Chicago e. Alton,
Rock Island and Frisco lines. were
mot sporadic examples OF the high
way robbery to which the American
nation has been subjected as to its
public transportation highways"
Glenn E. Plumb, lawyer, of Chi
cago, who first presented the rail-
road brothcrhood's plan for public
ownership and private operation of
the railroads. TO the senate last Feb
ruary. appeared today before the
house interstate commerce commit
tee to present arguments in support
of that plan which has been incor-
porated in the Sims bill, now pending
in the house Mr.. Sims has explained
that he introduced the bill by re-
quest, as he would any other.
Referring to labors plan for pub
lie ownership. the triparite plan,
MIR. Plumb said:
This vast army OF producers for
whom ! appear are not divided. They
present no conflicting plans. no di-
verse theories for the solution OF
this problem. but appear before you
united force profoundly convinced
OF the economic soundness OF the
principles upon which they plan Is
built.
"The progress Of recent events has
brought us face TO face with a cri-
sis OF tremendous importance. The
constantly rising cost of commodities
to the consumer has far outstripped
the purchasing power of the consum-
cr's wage. This difference between
earning % nower and spending
power Of the great mass OF the work.
crs, has compelled corresponding
lowering OF the standard Of existence.
Resistance Inevitable.
"Resistance is inevitable. Human
nature cannot do otherwise than op-
pose the universal lowering of the
standard OF living.
I'm answer to this first reaction.
demand for increased wages, we now
find 10000 railway employees refus-
ing longer to render their services for
these constantly diminishing returns.
This manifestation of revolt Is but
sympathetic of the entire Industrial
situation. II Is not unrest that con-
fronts us, 1t is revolt because OF in
dustrial conditions no longer to be
borne.
Economic Demands.
1.-THE plan which labor presents has
been prepared after a most careful
study OF the economic situation ex-
listing, the causes Of the present evils,
and the proper correctives to be ap-
piled, The faulty system may be
improved by regulation. but reRula-
tion Of a system long unprincipled
merely delays its ultimate collapse. II
is not constructive II lays no foun-
dation for solid progress. 1t palliates
but docs not cure.
I'VE already number in the sup
porters OF labor's plan approximately
s 100000 adult producers-abouto one
sixth of the productive man power
of the United States Perhaps the
same proportion OF the political
power of the nation, and a financial
power which few comprehend
Vicious System.
Equally" he added, "organized
labor realizes that 10 correct this
vicious system the interests of both
producers and consumers must he
protected; that the great increase in
the productive power of human effort
should be reflected equally in in
creased earning power of those who
produce and the decreased cost of the
commodity so reduced.
an order to affect the price OF all
by advances in wages
TO those who produce, then. II would
be necessary TO complete the entire
cycle OF industrial production. An
advance TO the shoemakers is re-
1ected only in the advanced price of
shoes. IT does not affect any other .
But with transporta- !
ion the situation is quite otherwise |
The cost in transportation is re-
1ected in the price of all commodities, |
transported or not. The con- /
,umer pays the freight on everything !
hat he consumes, although it may |
)e produced next door" !
Definite information on which his !
'harges were based. Mr. Plumb said. |
would be turned over to the committee /
upon which 1t may ask for a full con- !
yresSional investigation" We believe !
such an investigation" he continued |
will reveal that not one railruli SyS- !
em dominating any part of the 25i. 600 !
niles Of railroad In tho United States |
1ut has suffered and is suffering. in de- /
gree II not TO the same extent. from
'arefullv deliberated manipulqtions IF (,
he sort that have wrecked and ruined ,
be railroads ! have mentioned. II will /
'Cveal that these interests are again J.
gathering their forces of PR "a and
e cret control and seek. aft"r having
,ained from congress n sanction 10 re- ,
IA bilitate their railroad properties at
,ublic expense. to again gain am iol-
ow through its corrupt and wicks d /
vcle the systematized plund ring and
ooting of the public and the public In
crest in the nations highways.
In view OF the gravity of this stu
tion. and in order that we may have
he benefit Of their counsel on behalf |
4 the public in presenting our state
nent TO congress and TO the American
,eople. the fourteen affiliated railway |
ahor organization are summoning to
Washington a national conference on
abroad control.