Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-08-08

paws as consumer. Moreover, through
compounded profits taken on these
wage increases each cycle becomes an
upward spiral Of costs. which the con-
suming public vainly reaches to con-
troll.
"As the major part Of the consum-
ing public, labor is entitled to repre-
sentation on the directorate of the
railroads. AS a producer of capital,
it is entitled to representation on the
directorate of the railroads.
ITO capital, which is the fruit OF
yesterdays labor we now propose to
discharge every just obligation. We
demand that the owners Of capital,
who represent only financial interests
as distinguished from operating brains
and energy, be retired from manage
ment, receiving government bonds
with a fixed interest return for every
honest dollar that they have invested
in the railway industry. We ask that
the railroads of the United States be
vested in the public; that those ac-
tually engaged in conducting that in
dustry, 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.
These represent all the brains, skill
and energy that is in the business.
They are entitled to that measure or
control which is equal to their ability
and their responsibility for operating
the transportation Of properties. Then
and only then will the service prima1-
ly be for the public not primarily for
profits to spectators and infiators OF
capital. AS a means for accomplish
ing this end, we ask that lease be
granted to a corporation created not
for profit but for public service we
ask that this corporation be controll-
ed in it's management by an equal
representation of the three funda-
mental interests upon which industry
is based. The public, operating man
ayers and wage earners will then
guarantee both the integrity OF the
investment required for the conduct
of the industry and that return which
induces it by investing, to enter the
public service.
Share Earnings Equally.
"The public as consumers and the
operating managers and wage earn
ers as producers having Joined In that
guarantee will then share equally all
earnings in excess of the amounts re-
auired to meet the guarantee.
This is provided by granting to the
wage earners and management one
half of the savings which they through
their perfected organizations can
make, and by securing to the public
the other half to be enjoyed by the
consumers, either by increasing the
means of service without increasing
fixed charges or by reducing the cost
Of the service which the machinery
then in existence can render.
Thus the cost of transportation is
automatically reduced exactly In pro-
portion as benefits accrue to the pro-
ducers or transportation.
Increase in earning power Of pro-
ducers under this system cannot be
reflected in increased costs; it must be
balanced by decreased costs.
Railways "Key Industry"
"The railroads are the key industry
Of the nation. They affect at once
the price of every necessity. AS in
creased transportation costs are re-
fected in the increased price Of all
commodities, so a reduction in those
costs must be reflected by reduced
prices.
1--WE say this because of labors in
terest as consumer, as part of an
overburdened public. This funda-
mental statement of principle we re-
spectfully submit to the American
people"
Chairman Cummins, Of the senate
commerce committee, today called a
committee meeting for tomorrow tol
discuss railroad problems and deter
mine whether hearings shall be re-
opened.