The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-08-08


ment we are sounding the note OF
our basic principle.
Originates With Labor.
THAT this role originates with la
Dor is merely because labor happens
to have firm organization through
which it may become articulate. 1t
is not to benefit labor as labor alone;
it is to benefit the consuming public,
of which labor at present is the audi
bic part. In labor's bill providing
that the public take over the rail
roads and establish tri-partte con-
troll between the public, the railway
operating management and the en-
ployes. the labor organizations of
America have established this new
policy which envisages their condi-
ton, not only as producers, but also
as consumers.
ut marks the step by which organ
lied labor passes from demands for
wage increases to demands that the
system of profits in industry be over
hauled. Hitherto, during successive
wage negotiations and arbitration
awards, we have called for pro-
visiOnal settlement only of questions
| arising out of differences as to wages.
hours and conditions of labor That
principle of genuine cooperation and
partnership based upon real COM
munity of interest and participation
in CONTROL of which President Will
son has spoken to congress. has been
ignored both by labor and by the pri-
vate owners of the railroads
Wage Increases Nullificd.
What wage increases have been
received during the past few years
resulted only in Immediately being
followed by more than proportionate
increases in the cost of living Each
rise in wages has turned out to mean
only temporary relief for the affected
workers. When the increases have
gone around the circle. labor. as pro-
ducer, loses the advantage Of the new
wages through the additional cost it
pays 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.
''To capital. which is the fruit of
yesterdays labor, We now propose to
discharge every just obligation We
who represent only financial interests
| as distinguished from operating
brains and energy. be retired from
management, receiving government
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
Z
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
"These represent all the brains.
skin and energy that is in the bust
ness. They are entitled to that meas
ure of control which is equal to their
ability and their responsibility for OPP
Grating the transportation properties
Then and only will the service pri-
mariiy be for the public, not pri-
marily for profits to spectators and
infators of capital. AS a means for
accomplishing 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 controlled in It's management by
an equal representation OF the three
fundamental interests upon which in .
dustry is based. The public, operat-
ne managers and wage earners will
then guarantee both the integrity of
the investment required for the con
duct of the industry and that return
which induces it by investing to en-
ter the public service.
Share Earnings Equally.
THE public as consumers and the
operating managers and wage earn
ers as producers having joined in that