The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-08-07
STONE SUGGESTS A FIRING SQUAD
 FOR FIGHTERS
Recess of Congress Reminds Him Of Nero E'iddling
 While Rome Burned
NO STRIKE THREAT
 MADE BY BIG FIVE
Says If Government Can Son In Army They Can
 Cut Food Prices


 tional crisis, described as industrial war and as 'revolution,'' were given Congress yesterday by labor leaders advocating Government ownership of the railroads.
 They stoutly denied reports that a general strike would be called to force through the Plumb plan, but intimat- ed clearly that this might be expected If demands for a 25 per cent. wage raise is not granted, or the cost of living is not speedily reduced.
 resentful tone at the attitude of the labor spokesmen was noticeable in the questions of each of a dozen members.
 Warren S. Stone, Grand Chief of Locomotive Engineers and president of the Plumb Plan League, and Sec retary Frank Morrison of the Arneri- can Federation of Labor, appeared today.
 The first question by MT. Esch sought to bring out the extent to which the brotherhoods will go to carry their plan through. Referring to a recent statement by one of the labor leaders that the railroad em pIoyes were tin no mood to brook return to former control," MT. hasch asked the purpose and intent of that declaratio
 Ut means they are bitterly opposed to the roads being turned to the old plan of operation,'' said MT. Stone.
 This committee" said MT: Esch, Ifs giving full consideration to every plan proposed for dealing with the railroad, and every opportunity is ex- tended those wishing to appear. | Should the committee not indorse the Plumb plan, what would be the ac- | tiOn of your organization % We would undertake to create enough public sentiment so that it would be accepted,' replied MT. Stone. How would you attempt to creat that sentiment?" continued MT. Esch. Through a striker"
 ''Ro, sir" the witness said. 'We have made no threat of a strike. We have not even asked for an increase in wages. We told the President that because of the increased cost of living we could not 1ive.''
 You have struck synpat athetic chord here," said MT. Esch. Your organization is one of the conserva- tive organizations of the United States If your attitude is not to strike it would be in accord with your ideas and traditions"
 'sNo one has decided to strike for the Plumb plan," explained MT. Stone.
 
 is not increased wages or reduced cost of living, and we did make ob- lection to a wage commission
 That is on the assumption" sug- gested Mir Esch that nothing can be done to reduce the cost of living. If it were possible to reduce it would the other organizations withhold their striker"
 q cannot answer for them," MT. Stone said. "But when you bring about solution of the high cost Of living you have solved the problem of industrial unrest"
 What plan do you propose to solve the high cost of living? in- ouired MT. Esch "Congress is eager to get suggestions.
 '.yVe want to see first what the ex- ecutive branches of the government are going to do," MT. Stone said. After they have failed we must try to find a solution somewhere else. If no one else can make It, I am satls- fled that labor can.'
 Have you any concrete sugges- tions for us to solve the high cost Of living?" continued MT. Esch.
 eve might offer you many, re- sponded MT. Stone and added warm ly: Tt might be would have a firing squad for certain people,"
 T saw that suggestion made in l some countries of Europe dryly | the Committee Chairman. 1! You say you will not brook helay, 1 yet should not Congress have time to | consider this problem?"
 "Congress should have known this l was corli1as," MT. Stone answered. | '>Congress was going to adjourn and l go aWay and take a summer Vaca- | ton. It reminded me of something l 1 have heard about Nero fiddHng while | Rome burned" In Cleveland, MT. Stone said, rot | train" goes out every day with IS to [ 25 carloads of spoiled fruit and veg l etables and he believed Congress ought to do something to stop such l waste.
 How can Congress meet this rot | situation?' asked lMr. Doremus (Dem., | Mich.).
 If the Government can take my boy to fight for democracy and limit | my food supply in time of war and takes everything in the way of taxes to pay expenses, 1t certainly can fix the price on things I eat," replied MT. Stone.
 That is not an answer to my ques- tion," said MT. Doremus.
 eff you can convince the commit tee that we have the power. we would be glad to exercise it," MT. Doremus assured the witness.
 'I believe that would solve the problem" said MT. Stone.
 Mr. Winslow (Rep.. Mass), in- sisted that MT. Stone say what Con- 9ress should have done to forestall l She present. situation.
 T do not want to antagonize Con- .resa" paid AP. Htons.
 ''What have you seen that VI