Evening star., 1919-09-02
URGES MEASURE
TO AVERT STRIKES
Senator Robinson Explains
Provision Designed to Set
tie Railway Disputes.
SHOWS ITS IMPORTANCE

Strongly advocating the provision
of the interstate commerce subcom-
mi.tee railroad bill designed to put
an end to strikes on interstate rail-
roads Senator Robinson of Arkansas,
himself a member of the committee.
today explained his position to the
Senate.
No provision of the bill. said
Senator Robinson. for the return of
the railroads to their owners is more
important than that relating to the
roads and their employees.
"A committee of wages and work
ing conditions is created, composed
OF four Representatives of the rail-
roads and four Representatives of
their employees, empowered to con-
slider and decide by majority vote all
disputes touching hours, wages and
working conditions which may not
be adjusted by mediation and concilia-
ton or in some other way. The de-
cisions of this committee become ef-
fective when approved by the board
OF transportation. which body is Gre
ated by the bill and exercises many
otner important functions.
Board to Decide.
In case the committee is evenly
divided the controversy is referred to
the board and decided by it, All de-
cisions are certified by the board to
the Interstate Commerce Commission
and made conclusive of the matters
determined.
In deciding labor diputes consid-
GRAFTON must be given among other
relevant facts to the scales of wages
Tor similar kinds of work in other in
dustrleS, the relation between wages
and the cost of wing, the hazards of
the employment, the training and skill
required, the degree of responsibility
and the character and regularity of
the employment. Railroad officers are
compelled by penal provisions to obey
the nnal decisions. and while the right
OF the laborers to quit employment
ior any reason is recognized and pre-
served. combinations or agreements
with the intent to hinder, restrain
or prevent the. movement of COM
moddities or persons in interstate
commerce combinations or agree
ments which have that effect are
likewise penalized There is no
doubt that this subject is associated
with many difficulties In the prep
ties have been frankly encountered.
A sincere effort has been made to
overcome them. If a better plan can
be presented. pride of authorship
would not deter me or my associates
on the subcommittee from substitute
ing it for the one in the bill.
Says Congress Must Protect Public
THE time has come when Congress
must protect the public against the
loss of life and property and the wide
spread suffering which will inevitably
result if the railroads should be tied
up by a general strike. The regula-
tlon OF commerce among the states is
a federal function. and no other than
federal power can adequately deal
with the subject.
The right to strike has heretofore
been recognized in our laws, par
ticularly in certain provisions of the
CLAYTON act. Those laws should be
modfhed. and strikes of employees on
railroads engaged in interstate COM
merce should be forbidden.
The provision by law of fair
railroads and their employees is. of
course. prerequisite in any plan
fairly calculated to relieve the coun-
try from the menace of strikes and
lockouts that will restrain or pre-
vent interstate commerce. 1t is in
of our people that commerce be con-
tinued, and no system which leaves
commerce subject to the will of in
dividuals or organizations among
them can be justified.
''In the interests of the laborers
themselves, and more particularly in
the interests of the general public,
Congress should deal with this sub
ject comprehensively and coura-
geously.
Should Satisfy Labor.
'1t is desirable if possible to devise
a plan that will meet with the ap-
same time fairly safe guard the public
interest. But it might as well be
in the beginning that the
question is one in which the public
interest is equal to that of the rail-
roads and the iaborers. if not control
while no man should be
to perform involuntary
servitude. except as a punishment for
crime, and while the full freedom and
right of employees as individuals to
quit work at will must be preserved,
the dangers of a general strike or
lockout which would suspend COM
merce are SO apparent and far-reach-
ing that disputes likely to result in
strikes or lockouts on railroads must
be determined in an orderly manner. |
"If a just solution of the subject can
be written into the law the value of
the service to the public will be al !
most immeasurable. In the years to |
come frequent controversies will arise |
between the railroads and their en- /
oloyes, no matter what general plan is |
adopted for the disposition Of the rail- |
roads. Whether, as contemplated by |
this BILL the roads are returned to |
their owners and hereafter privately |
operated under strict government |
regulation or the government acquires I!
and operates them. there will be no 1
escaping serious controversies affect |
ing the rights and compensation of !
Ia porers on railroads. 1t is necessary |
that the public should maintain a |
check upon the decisions of such queS- !
ions. for to permit railroads and their |
employees the unqualified power of de- |
.ision might impose unreasonable bur- |
lens upon the public generally. The
important thing to be accomplished is |
20 provide fair tribunal for the early 4
Ind just decision of labor disputes as
% the railroads. and having done that
10 logical reason appears for counte-
either strikes or lockouts
calculated to suspend commerce.
Every one realizes that commerce is
lot only necessary, but also indiSpen-
IA Bile to provide comfort for our peo-
de and to maintain their lives.
What the Bill Provides.
This bill not only assures to en-
,loyes just. fair and reasonable hours,
Continued on Sec.iG PaEe.s