New-York tribune., 1919-08-07

There comes time when the burden
becomes too great, and when that time
arrives you may expect revolution to
the extent of striking for conditions
they desire"
Mr.. Stone, who was the first witness,
SAID In response to question: that the
railway brotherhoods were bitterly op-
posed to return of the roads to the old
system of control. In the event the
committee rejected the Plumb plan, it
would be the policy Of labor. he added,
TO create enough sentiment in and out
OF Congress to force its adoption.
We have not and do not make any
strike threats" the witness said in
this connection. I'VE have not even
demanded an increase in wages, pre-
terring a reduction in the cost of living.
Il do not believe any labor organi-
zation will strike simply to force the
Plumb plan." Mr. Stone continued II
think some organizations will strike
unless something is done Immediately
cost. When you reduce the latter. YOU
solve the entire problem of industrial
unrest"
Says Food Is Dumped
Discussing prohteering, Mr.. Stone
said that from ten to twenty-five car
loads of fruits and vegetables were
dumped at Cleveland every day simply
IN order to keep up prices.
Representative Winslow, Republican,
Of Massachusetts. engaged the witness
IN sharp colloquy which at times
brought laughter from the large crowd
at the hearing. Mr.. Winslow wanted
to know what Mr.. Stone thought Con-
gress should have done
congress could have seen what was
coming months ago." the witness re-
Piled. Congress was so busy playing
politics it could not think of the com
mon people. If there were no laws
to deal with the problem laws should
have been passed"
When Mr.. Stone was asked par
ticularly concerning statements from
union leaders that they would "sew up
the railroads. he said:
ut is the rankest kind of nonsense
to say they will not run if this plan
fails of adoption. We know they will
run; the government will operate them
because the people must live, and rail-
roads are essential to their welfare"
Fears Rail Bankruptcy
He expressed the opinion that many
railroads would be thrown into bank
ruptcy if turned back to private own
ersnlp.
DO you happen to know of any
body who did not get all he could
out Of the war; asked Representative
Montague, Democrat, Virginia.
Il don't. know of anybody" Nh
Stone replied.
Labor got all it coudo'
"Well,' Mr.. Montague proceeded
"you know people who did not get
all they should have got-the soldiers
and sailors in France"
Mr.. Stone replied ne quite agreed
with that, adding that somebody else
got the soldiers share.
Answering Representative Sanders
Republican, Indiana, Mr.. Stone said the
time was coming when the price Of
so men won't get rich while others
freeze"
Mr.. Morrison, while answering ques-
tions, told the committee the purpose
of the Plumb plan was to reduce the
cost of railroad operations, by which
the public would be benefited
"Of course" he added, '.'the idea is
that employees shall receive wages
which will enable them to live in rea-
sonable comfort
Everybody believed when the armis-
tice was signed, Mr.. Morrison said,
that the cost of living would come
down.
This has not occurred" he de-
clared. "Since December there has
been an increase of per cent, making
a total increase of SO per cent since
1914 1t is not improbable that unless
Congress stops profiteering, the cost
of food will show another increase Of
10 per cent within the next six
months"
Replying to question by Rcpresen-
tative Merritt, Republican, of Cor
necticut, regarding labor's attitude on
state socialism. Mr.. MORRISON said the
American Federation of Labor for
some time had favored government
operation of all quasi-public utilities,
with some safeguard to protect the
workers.
I'VE don't want it like the Post
Office Department, where some sucn
man as Mr.. Burleson refuses to hear
the grievances of workers." added
the witness. eve don't want auto
cracy."
do you believe in an autocracy by
the workers? ?" asked the Connecticut
Congres essman.
There is no possibility of that by
the workers. They are submerged and
are covered up"
Representative Barkley. Republican,
of Kentucky, asked if the witness
thought the people, after buying $22,-
000,000000 in bonds during the war
would be prepared to invest similar
amount in proposition of this kind.
~ don't believe there will be any
difficulty in putting this ownersh D
plan into effect so far as money is
concerned MIR. Morrison said. at will
be great benefit to the government
and the public"
If D-:I T: