Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-08-07
PUBLIC OWNERSHIP PLAN
PARTY ISSUE IF 1T FAILS
AS LAW, 1T IS INTIMATED
CHARGE BANKERS
PLUNDERING ROADS
[Continucd from First Page.1


charges were based. Mr.. Plumb said,
would be turned over to the commit
tee upon which it may ask for a
full Congressional investigation"
We believe such an investigation,
he continued, will reveal that not
one railroad system dominating any
part of the $4,000 miles of railroad
in the United States but has suffered
and is suffering. in degree if not to
the same extent, from carefully delib-
Grated manipulations of the sort that
have wrecked and ruined the rail-
road 1 have mentioned. 1t will re-
veal that these interests are again
gathering their forces of private and
secret control, after having gained
from Congress a sanction to reha-
bilitate their railroad properties at
public expense. to begin again and
follow through it's corrupt and wicked
cycle the systematized plundering
and looting of the public and the pub
lie interest in the nations highways.
To Hold Conference
I'm view OF the gravity of the sit
uation, and in order that we may
have the benefit of their counsel on
behalf of the public in presenting our
statement to Congress and to the
American people, the IA affiliated
railway labor organizations are sum-
moning to Washington n national con-
ference of railroad control.
"On behalf of the public we are in
viting to participate in this confer
ence as members of the joint Nation
al Committee on Railroad Control,
Frank p. Walsh. former joint chair
&c No h.,-
Board; Joseph w. Folk, of Missouri;
Raymond Robins. John Lind, of Min
nesota; Edward F. Dunno, of Chicago;
DIR. Edward W. Bemis; Felix Adler,
Governor Allen, of Kansas; Julia c.
Lathrop. Judge Walter Clark, of
North Carolina. and Dean Herman
Schneider, of University of Cincin-
natl. Frank p. Walsh. Judge Walter
Clark, Edward F. Dunno, Joseph w.
Folk and DR.. Edward w. Bemis have
already accepted and with others who
may yet accept will meet here with
the representatives of organized labor
on Saturday of this week.
Hold Wilson to Word
Every response to our invitation
to participate in this national con-
ference on democracy in railroad con-
troll has been accompanied by whole
hearted acceptance of the basic prin-
ciple expressed in President Wilson $
message at the convening of this Con-
gress, wherein he declares for the
genuine democra tization of industry
based upon a full recognition of the
right of those who work, in whatever
rank to participate in some organic
way in every decision which directly
affects their welfare in the part they
are to play in industry and for
genuine cooperation and partner
ship based upon real community OF
interest and participation in control.
I'm view of this action by the affili-
ated labor organizations which l rep
resent and on behalf of organized Ia
Dor and the public. l will, therefore,
ask to reserve this information which
is in our possession until 1t can DE
properly prepared and submitted to
the jury of Congress and of public
opinion"
Party Issue
There was a broad inlmauon
that the public ownership plal" oil
the railroad brotherhoods If not en-
acted into law would be taken to the
convention of the two big parties
next year with the hope of having
its endorsement written into the
platform.
Warning was sounded by Secre-
tary Morrison of, the Labor FEEDER
alton that the bUrden of the labor
leaders might be too heavy - that
they might be unable during this
period of unrest to control the work
ers-in which case, he declared
there would be revolution to the
extent of general strikes. Around
the whole theme of what he and
President Stone. of the Railroad En-
gineers said was woven the ever
rising cost of food, mounting higher
and faster, they insisted, was the
increase in the workingman's wage
with no assurance that it would stop
unless quick and drastic action was
taken by Congress.
Railroads Act as Unit
Acting as a unit for the first time
in the presentation of wage de-
mands, the fourteen print pal rail-
road unions to-day in expressing to
Director General Hines their dis
approval of President Wilson's pro-
posal that Congress create "a COM
mission to consider increased pay,
declared that wage questions must
be settled Immediately.
A general program to meet the
present crisis, involving the threat
of nationwide strike, was sub
mitted to the Director General. 1t
suggested that the money to provide
increased pay should come from an
appropriation by Congress to be fol-
lowed by appropriate freight rate
advances. This temporary relief
must be accompanied by a deter
mined effort to reduce the cost of
living.