New-York tribune., 1919-04-25
People Ready
ToRetu1'nR Rails,
Kahn Believes
Government Has Proved To
Be "Undertaker'' in Its
Attempt to Run Lines,
Says New York Banker

PITTSBURGH, April 24.-Otto H.
Kahn, the New York banker, address,
ing the Founders Day celebration of
Carnegie Institute here this afternoon,
said he was convinced that after their
taste of government operation the
American people we're ready to return
the roads TO their owners, retracing
the steps which had not yet carried the
country too far into national owner
ship.
Mr.. Kahn discussed the labor situa-
tion at length, taking up the immigrant
problem and outlining the chief points
for fair dealing with the workers. He
said in part:
Somehow or other theres seems to
be special Providence which watches
over this country. One of the evil
dences of that Providential favor I see
IN the fact that we have had taste
OF government operation of railroads
before having so deeply and definitely
committed ourselves to it as to make
1t very difficult to retrace our steps.
Government an "Undertaker'
Three years ago believ the major
ity of opinion among railroad men was
an almost fatalistic belief that govern
ment operation of railroads was bound
70 come, because the people, taking at
lhelr lace value the promises and
prophecies of those who advocated il
WOULD insist on having it. 1t might be
delayed, but it could not be prevented
We'll, the people have seen the
thing IN operation; I don't think they
want 1t any more. l believe they have
recognized that when the government
undertakes business the result usually
IS mat 1t does indeed become an un-
dertaker.
The principle on which we should
deal with the labor question is verv
simple 1t is the principle of the Col
den Rule. | think the formula should
be that, first of all, labor is entitled to
a living wage. After that. capital is on
TITLED to living wage. What is left
over belongs to both capital and labor.
in such proportions az fairness and
equity and reason shall determine in ali
cases" a.
Fair Deal for Workmen
1r. Kahn laid down five points for
talr dealing with workmen. These
were:
/. lie must be given full voice in
delerin lnlng the conditions under which
ne snail work, and must have every
opportunity to cooperate with his em
ployer He must not be deprived Of his
employment without valid excuse
Wherever practicable. he should have
representation on the board Of d.
rectors.
q Ills living conditions should be
made .dlsnihed and attractive.
>. lle should be relieved Of drend of
S9ckhess, unemploym and old age.
D. lie should receive u wage that nj.
lows him 10 live In comfort and sot
aside money for a rainy day.
b, Labor should realize that HIGH
wages can be maintained only 4 high
/ production is maintained.
>, me way to progress" said Mr..
Kahn, "is not to pull everybody down
to common level of mediocrity, which
means ultimately common level OF
wretchedness, but to help every
body up.
Many Foreign-BOrn Loyal
Among these agitators and disturb
ers who dare clamorously to assail the
majestic and beneficent structure of
American traditions, doctrines and in
SVltutlon5 thefe are some, lar too many
indeed say it with deep regret. being
myself of foreign birth-who are Of
foreign parentage or descent The
/ great Republic generously gave them
asylum and opened wide to them the
/ portals Of her freedom and her oppor-
tunities.
"The great bulk of these new
comers have become loyal and enthu-
slastlc Americans. When the great test
OF the war came, the overwhelming ma
lority of them rang wholly and finely
tr'e: The casualty lists are eloquent
testimony to the patriotic devotion Of
the children Of the crucible,' doubly
a.oquent because many of them fought
against their own kith and kin.
Attacks Disturbers
hut some have become drunk with
w. strong VINE Of freedom. Drunk,
sa;iy piesume to impose their rceling
fs' faa upoh Americans to whom freedom
ts;r n pure and refreshing foun-
~ ~ century and q half
onnr;g rioJ;alng IN the gloom of age-long
,pr'voJ'on' they nave evolved a fantas-
sr, ,v amu distorted image Of free gov
""''.e saat -. IN 1atuous effrontery thew
st, s.vn 70 graft the growth Of their
ane;,. r1Ha Issoh upon the splendid and
""e,vn' "un '.I, Tree OF American institutions.
"e ~iii not have it so, we VINO are
1mericans I,i by birth or by adontior
M me reJect these impudent pretentions
ny an means, let us move forward and
Upward but let us proceed by the chat
81 reason, experience and testeS
american principles and doctrines"