The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-07
CONGRESS GETS
LABOR PLAN TO
RUN RAILROADS
Leaders to Employ No Force
to Gain Government
Ownership.
PERIL SEEN IN PRICES
"Firing Squad Might Be Ad-
vOcated for PrOfiteers,"
Says Stone.
PERIL SEEN IN PRICES
Special Despatch to THE Sun.


WASHINGTON. Aug. 6.-Organized
labor presented to Congress to-day its
plans for the future operation Of the
railroads and at the same time its
officials gave the assurance that
violence and strikes would not be used
to force the adoption of its programme
Of government ownership.
This promise was solemnly made by
Warren s. Stone, grand chief of the
Brotherhood Of Locomotive Engineers.
and Frank Morrison, secretary of the
American Federation OF Labor, In
testimony before the House Interstate
and Foreign Commerce Commission,
urging the adoption OF the railway
employees PLAN OF government owner
ship, known as the Plumb plan, which
is backed by organized labor.
Instead Of obtaining Congressional
approval by force or violence. both
witnesses promised the question prob
ably would be made a political issue
In 1920 and stated that efforts would
be made to have both of the main
political parties adopt 1t as a platform
plank, At the same time, 1t was
| stated that a peaceful campaign Of
education would be conducted to win
approval for the programme among
the people Of the country. This was
, considered by members Of the com
mittee to be a distinct change Of front
from the peiled threat carried In a re-
cent statement OF the brotherhood
| chiefs.
Cost Reduction Demanded.
Other outstanding developments Of
1 the testimony were:
Railway employees and all organ
lied labor demand immediate reduc-
! ton of the high cost OF living, or
will demand Increased wages with
nationwide strikes unless they are
| granted.
II was evident that there was
reluctance on the part OF the onciais
to stating whether organized LABOR
proposes to extend nationahzauon 10
| all industries should the Government
complished and prove successful.
Opposition to the Government own
ership plan as well as what some mem
bers called the efforts OF the rail-
way employees to obtain benefits that
the rank and file of the other work
era OF the country have not oo-
tsined, was apparent In the ques-
tions of almost all the members or
the committee.
Suggestions that the Government
nx the prices of all commodities and
that the Government act against the
big packers was made by the union
oficials. Mr.. Stone said "a firing
squad might be advocated for GER
tain proiteers."
Earnest objection was voiced TO
the Presidents plan for new wage
board to consider the present crisis,
After the reading OF formal state
ments, Chairman Esch (Wis.) and othel
members Of the committee immediatel!
began to cross question Mr.. Stone and
Mr.. Morrison as to the intent of thu
trucuient statement OF the brotherhood
chiefs recently given to the press tina
the railway employees will not brool
the return Of the railroads to the pre-
war system OF private ownership
Rail Statement Explained.
. What was the purpose and intent o
that statement?" Mr.. Esch asked.
cit means that we are bitterly op
posed tc the railroads being returned L
private ownership" Mr.. Stone replied.
"should the committee not indors
this plan, what would you dor" Ques
toned Representative Sims (Tenn. }
, who recently introduced a railroad bill
, along the lines OF the statement pu
l forth by organized labor.
; Our action would be to try TO Great
: enough public sentiment through educa
/, tion and propaganda to make Congress
feel that the majority OF the peopl
wanted It,"
through every lawful means at ou
8 command"
Would you seek It through strikes ?
| mo, SIR. l do not believe the brother
: hoods would although / am speakin
q only for the engineers. Reduction In tn
: high cost of living is what we want.
n don't think any Of these organization
would strike to force the adoption of tn
: Plumb plan, but can assure you ther
e will be strikes and unrest unless the cos
4 OF living is brought down or wages ar
8 raised. And we do strongly object to tn
: plan of Director-General Hines for tn
: creation of a new wage board. for thi
1 procedure would require too long a tim
Il and not relieve the immediate situation.
o The statement accredited to B. n
q Jewell, acting president OF the railwa
a employees department OF the America
| naaffaAeA nm Ninth Pa1A