The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1919-08-08
LABOR LEADERS DEMAND CON-
troll OF RAILWAYS.

WASHINGTON, August 5.-Or-
ganized labor came out Monday with
the unequivocal, formal demand that
private capital be retired from the
railroads. =.
A tripartite control, composed OF
the public, the operating manage
ment and the employees, is demanded
instead -.
Addressed to the American public
and signed by the engineers, the fire
men. the conductors and the Amer
lean Federation of Labor, formal
statement was issued announcing this
proposal, which will be carried be-
fore Congress Wednesday.
at marks" says the statement,
"the step by which organized labor
passes from demands for wage in
creases to demands that the system
of profits in industry be Overhauled."
This sentence sums up IN few
| words the proposal, of which there
have been hints and indications, but
which now is laid before the country
for the first time.
Everywhere in official Washing
| ton it is recognized as being the most
serious and far-reaching proposition
the country will be called upon to
face.
Characterizing the proposal as
'1abor's BILL" it is put forth to be
remedy for the high cost of living,
because, it is said, the railroads are
the "key industry" of the nation
|. 1t demands the genuine co-opera-
ton and partnership based on real
community of interest and participa-
ton in CONTROL" of which President
Wilson spoke to Congress. and which
the statement says, has been ignored
by labor and the private owners OF
the railroads. .,
eve ask" it says, "that the rail
roads of the United States be vested
in the public; that those actually en-
gagged in conducting that industry
pot from Wall Street, but from the
railroad offices and yard and out or
the railroad lines, shall take charge
of this service for the public"
Briefly, labor's plan demands:
That private capital be eliminated
front the railroads.
That the private owners receive
for them Government bonds with &
fixed interest return for every hon
est dollar that they have invested
That the tripartite control, hereto
fore referred to, be established ir
corporations which shall lease the
roads and in which the public, the
operating arrangements and labor
shall be represented equally.
That the public, the operators and
the wage earners share equally al
revenue in excess of the guarantee
to private capital, by granting to the
operators and the employees one half
the savings which are expected to be
made by such a perfected organiza-
ton and to the public the other half
as consumers, either by increasing
ducing costs.
"This role originates with labor"
SAYS the statement, because labor
happens to have firm organizations
through which it may become articu.
late"
The trainmen are not represented
ident of the brotherhood, was out OF
the city, but it was said that ne would
join in it.
The statement follows: "The in.
nuendoes in telegraphed dispatches
1rOUl WdSHlu COl, appearing oioo III
the speech of Representative Thomas
L. Blanton, of Texas, that the rail.
road unions are holding up Congress
and the Government, may as well
cease. This appeal is made to the
American direct. 1t involves the
judgment and common sense of pub.
lie sentiment, of all the public which
earns a wage or a stipend.
1--WE recognize that the only way
in which we can exist under the pres
emit system is to demand further in
creases in wages, but we agree with
Representative Blanton that this
affords but temporary relief. 1t doe,
not offer a remedy.
"Labor's bill, on the other hanG
provides a remedy, and we ask thai
terms be scrutinized. Our full agree
ment in support Of these terms viii
be presented Wednesday before thu
House Committee on Interstate Com
merce. In this statement we arr
sounding the note of our basic prin
ciple.
"That this role originates will
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