Evening journal., 1919-11-14
uuurSs RAILROAD BILL IS NOT UNFAIR


TN THOUGH Ms chairman the Hon. Jonathan bourne,
Jr The Republican Publicity Association has issueu
formal statement bearing upon the Cummns hai'o'u
f,iii and its fairness 60 all the interests Involved
II 4 asserted that failure awaits the effort Of labor
unions. 10 spread the impression That the anus
clause OF the Cummins Railroad Bill is an attack upon
the right Of employees to quit their right In any olher
respect There IS attack upon the rishs OF aDot IN
that portion Of the BILL There has been no al'acA upon
the rights OF labor in any act possible act OF congress
There has been no attack upon the rights or just ntefS
Of labor among Republican leaders. But there mas Deeh
and win continue to be an effort TO protect the rights OF
all the people against unjust demands OF radical iapo
leaders now in control Of the unions
organized labor like organized capital is one OF te
resplts ~ industrial evolution" the committee says
such organization whether Of labor capital has been
advantageous to the country in many ways But tne
no,er that goes with concentration is constant empa
lion N nromoton Of selfish interest with disregard OF he
rights and interests Of the public For ihat reason w
have laws curblng the activities Of capital ana ior e
same reason shall have laws designed TO prevent -,
position upon the public through the power OF labor union
mismanaeement
"oreanlzed capital has wrought well for American
industry II has developed now methods Of production
II has reduced costs OF production by Increasing quantity
NJ production by Standardization, and by specialization
II has created new markets for American produol us
increasing ihe demand for American labor 1t made pos
sih the Ouick mobilization OF huhous Avt 'i'''-'
noses when the nation confronted by the emergencies
Of war. .,...
"organlzed labor has also wrought well for American
Industry II has fosered legislation for establishment oil
better working conditions for reduced hours OF labor
where hours were excessive better sanitary conditions
for limitation of child labor in the interest OF heat anu
for establishment Of equitable wage scales or-
eanzed labor has been the medium through which the
interests Of lie workmen presented before egisa-
tive bodies and the campaigns for needed legislation con-
Quoted
"Bnt not all the commendabe achievements or COM
bnatons OF capital the one hand or OF comDnaohs
of labor on the other be permitted to stand IN Tue
way of protection Of the public welfare against either or
both"
The large producing concern which adopts unfair
methods TO destroy its smaller competitor has been
brought under the regulatory power Of law through lne
administration OF The Federal Trade Commission
lust as surely must the labor union be restrained rom
preventing the non-union workman from taxing employ
ment in any legitimate occupation
lust as the owners OF railroad would not be per-
mnied to discontinue railroad service as means OF
getting higher freight or passenger rates, SO the labor
unions must not be permitted TO discontinue train service
as means OF forcing payment OF higher wages
The same rule based upon public interest must gov
ern in both cases.
And so on through the whole list Of evils growing ou'
OF power incident to concentration
As the whole is greater than any Of its parts SO the
rights and welfare Of the whole nation must be superior
10 the selfish interests Of any class
industry must proceedon the railroads IN the mines
IN ibe steel mills and everywhere else.
obsructionlsts win be swept aside and their iulur'
will be determined by their conduct They VIII no
be permtted TO set up autocracy OF either eapia o
labor in this great Republic