The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-08-05

suming public labor 10 entitled 10
representation on the directorate
Of the public railroads; a. q pro-
dueer OF capital II 10 entitled to
representation on the directorate
OF the railroads. To capital which
10 the fruit OF yesterdays labor
we now propose to discharge ev-
cry just obligation. We demand
that the owners Of capital, who
represent only financial interest
az distinguished from operating
brains and energy, be retired from
management, receiving govern
ment bonds with q fixed interest
return for every honest dollar that
they have invested in the railway
industry. We ask that the rail-
roads Of the United States be
vested In the public; that those
actually engaged In conducting
that industry, not from Wall street
but from the railroad offices and
yards and out on the railroad
lines, shall take charge OF this
service for the public.
Public to Share.
1heSc represent all the brains,
skill and energy that is in the bust
ness They are entitled to that mea-
sure OF control which is equal TO
their ability and their responsibility
l,, ,n.y,,,pu ia. characterization proh
critics Then and then only, will thc
service he primarily for the public,
not primarily for profits TO specu-
la,ors and initiation of capital. As a
means for accomplishing this end, We
ask that a lease be granted to a cor
poration created NOT for profit. but for
public service. We ask tha, this cor
poration be controlled IN its manage
nent by an equal representation OF
three fundamental interests upon
which industry is based. The pub
lie, operating managers and wage
rarners will then guarantee both the
Of the investment requisite
for the conduct OF the industry and
that return which induces il. by in
ves,ing, to enter the public service.
THE public as consumers and the
managers and wage earn
crs as producers, having joined in that
guarantee. will then share equally all
earnings in excess of the amount re-
Quired 10 meet the guarantee.
Railroads the Public Key.
This is provided by granting 10
the wage earners and management
one half Of the savings which they,
through their perfected organizations
can make and by securing to the
nublic the other half 10 he enjoyed
by the consumers. either by charges
or by reducing the cost OF the ser
vice which the machinery then in
existence can render Thus the cost
of transportation is automatically re-
duced exactly in proportion as bene-
fits accrue to the producers OF trans
nortation. Increase in earning pow
er OF producers under this system
cannot be reflected in increased costs
Il must be balanced by decreased
costs.
"The railroads are the key In
tustry Of the nation. They af-
feet At once the price Of every ne
esssity. A. Increased hsnspor-
tation costs are reflected In the
increased price OF all commodities,
90 q reduction In those costs must
b reflected BY reduced prices.
cummips Calls Meeting.
ave say thi$because OF labof's in
terest as consumer, as part OF an
over burdened public. This funda
mental statement OF principle we re-
spec,iully submit to the American
people .
Chairman Cummins OF the senate
interstate commerce committee today
called committee meeting for to-
morrow 10 discuss railroad problem'
and determine whether hearings shall
bc re- oDenrd