Evening journal., 1919-08-14
LAWS URGED TO END
RAILROAD STRIKES
Manufacturers De c ar e
Plumb Plan Opens Way
to Soviet Control
ISSUE is UP
20 CONGRESS

WASHINGTON, Aug ii.-Federal
laws to prevent strikes and lockOuts on
he railroads OF the country were asked
II Congress yesterday by stephen C.
Mason, president Of the National Asso-
,iation OF Manufacturers. in a state
nent. submitted TO the House Inter
tate and Foreign Commerce Committee,
representing 500 firms and corpora
ions. Mr. Mason said his association is
rposed 10 the Plumb plan for nation
lization OF the railroads.
1T is the first step through the gate
way Of state socialism 10 the operation
Of transportation and industry under
Soviet control" the statement said
after pointing out defects I'm the labor
program. Strikes and lockouts should
oe prevented by compulsory arbitration
by a commission appointed by the
President. the association asserted.
This is provided for In the Adamson
law. but has not been generally used,
II was said.
1T is the duty Of Congress" Mr.
Mason maintained. now 10 exert It's
full authority 10 define in the interest OF
the public the limits 10 which employ
ers or employees. capital or labor may
60 in threatening the facilities OF COM
merce as a means OF compelling ac-
ceptance Of economic demands or po-
liticsl policies"
Mr.. Mason asserted the belief OF the
association that the railroads should be
returned 70 their owners: that Con-
Sress during government administration
should provide adequately for upkeep.
betterment and expansion: that the rule
Of rate making should be clearly de-
fined by statute: that consolidation and
cooperation among lines be authorized
in the same manner az under present
operation and administration: that the
duties and functions ~ the Interstate
Commerce Commission be modified. and
a transportation board be established.
Every argument" Mr. Mason said.
that IL or can he made in principle
for government ownership Of the rail-
roads under thinly disguised control Of
the organized employees IL equally ap-
plicable and will he made alike 10 Gov
eminent ownership and operation Of
The telephone. telegraph and merchant
marine. II proposes speculative eX-
pertinent at colossal expense in an hour
whea the nation staggcrs under the
burden Of unprecedented debt. No plan
could be devised that would more GER
talnly demoralize the business structure
OF the nation. ieopardize savings Of the
Industrious or more certainly increase
cost Of sustaining life Of every human
being in the nation.
we venture 10 assert the necessity
OF relieving national communication Of
The fear Of deliberate interruption.
Communication is almost civilization.
The interdenendce created among in
dividuals and communities makes the
uninterrupted movement Of transporta-
tion in every form essential TO the main
tenance of social life.
Tho right Of employer or employe,
II organized capital or oreani1ed labor,
n combine 10 act in concert is subor-
iinafe in every form Of association 10 !
the paramount interest Of the public in |
the uninterrupted service Of the essen |
lial facilities Of communication.
Congress must either now assure 4
protection Of the paramount interest OF |
lhc public in the continued operation /
of the railroads or abdicate its reglla- |
tory authority 10 selfish and irrespOnsi- /
Ole combinations Of private persons. /
The time has come when not only the
entire strength Of the nation may be
used but should he used 10 enforce in
any part of the land the full free move
mont NJ commerce between the States
and the free exercise OF the judgment
" the peoples, representative min
undated by the threat Of paralyzed
transportation.
III should bc provided az authorized