New-York tribune., 1919-08-07
Cut Living
OrFaceChaOs.
Labor W arms
Continued from page 1

the railroads will follow the return
Of the roads to their owners or the
adoption of any other plan than the
Plumb plan
5. That the Plumb plan will re-
duce rates.
9. That unless Congress or some
one else finds a solution in the next
few months 70 the present situation
we are going TO see the worst time
in the history of this country People
won't fold their hands and starve.
They're going TO die fighting"
Stones Suggestions
After Mr.. Stone had presented his
formal statement he was asked by
Chairman Esch of the House commit
tee, if be had any concrete suggestions
TO make
"I think we might possibly offer
many suggestions" he replied. eve
Rave not them in concrete form at this
time 1t might be before we get
through We would advocate a firing
squad for some people"
Chairman Esch said he had seen this
suggestion made IN some European
countries.
Mr. Stone declared that unless Con-
sress found solution of the high cost
of living problem within few months
America would see "its very worst
period"
The people are not going to starve."
said he. They arc going to die fight
ing
He added that the time would come
When, when all prices would be fixed by the
Mr.. Morrison presented formal
statement indorsing the Plumb plan
bill and said:
This, gentlemen. is the message |
bring you from organized labor"
Appeals TO Reason
Chairman Esch asked what methods
the witness thought proper to crystal
lie sentiment in favor of the Plumb
plan.
ANY method that can be used to
convince the people this course is nee
essary," he replied.
BY appeal to reason?"
Labor unions attempt nothing else"
There was a quiet discussion as to
how labor might proceed in the event
congress did not approve the plan. Mr.
Morrison said they might appeal to the
Democratic or Republican party with
the idea of having it incorporated in
the party platform next year If no
party indorsed it, he added, labor
would carry on an educational cam
paign in the hope of influencing men,
bers of Congress.
The witness told the committee that
II their plan for the ralroaos worked
out as they expected, it was the idea
OF the labor people to extend it to
other industries.
The Steel Trust" said Mr. Morri-
son, refuses to permit its employees to
organize and does not permit them
to hold public meetings in Pennsyl-
vania. It is just such acts by repre-
sentatives of great corporation that
hive created unrest in this country,
winch Is now at the danger point
Would Organize Steel Trust
Representative Dennison, Republi-
can, Illinois. wanted to know how the
Plumb plan bill for control of rail
roads, which was under discussion,
would affect unrest among steel
workers
1T would bring hope to them that
at some future time it would prove
hepful to them,' the witness replied.
IL would mean the hope of shorter
hours. With the present great de-
velopment of the labor movement, with
,he steadily increasing membership, |
oene'e we VIII organize the Steel Trust
and establish the eighth hour day"
=, Inc other important points in Mr..
Morrlson's testimony were:
l. That labor demands reduction
IN the cost of living, prosecution of
prohteers and spectators in food
products, and a wage increase to
make living conditions tolerable
while Congress takes action.
:. That the government has not
Kept faith with rail workers by in
creaslng wages as living costs in
creased
g. That bonds could be foated to
establish the Plumb plan despite the
recent issue of Liberty bonds.
a. That water should be ruthless
wrung from the capitalization of
the railroads.
o. That the success of the Plumb
plan viii extend the idea to other
favors.
Wants Raise Now
Labor, said Mr. Morrison, wants a
wage increase now to bridge the gap
oe.ween a 81 per cent increase in
wages since the war against an 81 per-
vent increase in the cost of living.
u,h Climax came when Representative
Webster, of Washington, told Mr.. Nor
.soh that If the Federation meant to
..anmldate members of Congress un-
..avorable to the Plumb plan by at
..emptlng to beat them in the next cleo
''vn' ,i1' ne would not be coerced.
understand you are going to the
peopie with your plan if Congress does
@ mol adopt it," said Mr.. Webster 81 as
que member of Congress will not be
voerced vod by any sort of threat, however
sseled, made by organized labor if
Ivn S;m !, do as they say regarding this
Mr. Morrison answered Mr.. Webster.
MS voice rising to shout as he denied
'"S intention to threaten.
The A. F. of L. he said, comes be-
n, ote the committee with no threats.
ppuf intention to urge labor to elect
representatives favoring this plan is
;aa s"e lawful. legal manner in which great
ssues are fought out We want to
~ eesueate .s the Representatives to our way
/. ! am sorry the idea of threats has
wen injected. or that we might strike
r. attempt to decapitate members OF
songress. The fact is that there is
treat unrest in this country. Men are
rsvt getting the wages they should.