Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-08-05

sounding the note OF our basic prin-
ciple s
"That this role originates with labor
Is merely because labor happens TO
have firm organization thru which
II may become articulate. II is not TO
benefit labor as labor alone; IL is TO
benefit the consuming public, of which
labor at present Is the audible part.
"In labor's bill providing that the
public take over the railroads and es-
tablish a tripartite control between the
public. the railway operating manage
ment. and the employees the labor or
ganlzntions Of America have estab-
lishod this new policy which envisages
their condition not only as producers
but also as consumers.
"Prineiple is Ignored
at marks the step by which organ
tied labor passes from demands for
wage increases to demands thar the
system OF profits in industry De over
hauled. Hitherto during successive
wage negotiations and arbitration
awards we-have called for provisional
settlements only of questions arising
out of differences as to wages, hours
and conditions Of labor.
The principle. of genuine co-opera-
ton and partnership based upon a real
community of interest and participa-
ton in control of which President
Wilson has spoken 10 congress has
been ingored both by labor and by the
private owners OF the railroads.
What wage increases have been re-
ceived during the last few days re-
suited only in Immediately being fol-
lowed by more than proporuonate IN
creascs in the cost of living. Each
rise in wages has turned out to mean
only temporary relief for the affected
laborers. When the increases have
gone around the circle, labor as pro-
Queer loses the advantages or the ne"
wages thru the additional cost 1t pays
as consumer. Moreover thru COM
pounded profits taken on these wage
increases each cycle becomes an up
ward spiral of costs which the consum-
ing public yainly reaches to control.
LAS the major part of the consum-
ing public labor is entitled to repre-
scntatiou on the directorate of the
public railroads. AS producer of cap
ital II is entitled to representation on
the directorate Of the railroads. To
capital. which Is the fruit Of yester-
days labor we now propose to dis
charge every just obligation. We de-
mand that the owners of capital. who
represent only financial interest a. dis
tiuEUished from operating brains and
energy, be retired from management
receiving government bonds with
fixed interest return for every hone.t
dollar that they have invested in the
railway industry. We ask that the
railroads Of the United states be vest
ed in the public; that those actually
enraE ed in conducting that industry,
not from Wan street but from the rail-
road Offices and yards and out or -"
railroad lines. shall take charge Of
service for the public.
Brains, Skill and Energy.
"These represent all the brains. skill.
and energy that is in the business.
They are entitled to that measure of
control which IS equal TO their ability
and their responsibility for operating
the transportation pEc perties., Then
and then only will the service be pri-
maTily for the public, not primarily for
profits to spectators and inflatOrs OF
capital. As a means for accomplishing
this end we ask that a lease be grant
ed 10 a corporation created not for
profit but for public service.
We ask that this CORPORATION he
controlled in its management by an
equal representation Of 1he three fun
damentat interests upon. which indus
try is based. The public operating
managers, and wage eaTncrs will then
Fuara nice both the integrity OF the in
vestmpnt required for the condTct Of
the industry and that return which
induces II. by investing. to enter the
public service.
The public as consumers and the
operating managers and wage earners
as producers having Joined in that
guarantee. will then share equally all
earnings in excess OF the amounts re-
Quired to meet the guarantee.
Public Is Made Safe.
This is provided by granting to the
wage earners and management one
half OF the savings which they, thru
their perfected organizations. can
make, and by securing to the public
the other half to be enjoyed by the
consumers. either by charges or by re-
6ucing the cost Of the service which
the machinery then in existence can
render. Thus the cost of transporta-
ton is automatically reduced exactly
in proportion as benefits accrue to the
producers Of transportation. Increase
in earning power Of producers under
this system can not be reflected in in
creased costs. it must be balanced by
decreased costs.
THE railroads are the key industry
Of the nation. They affect at once the
price Of every necessity. AS increased
TRANSPORTATION costs are reflected in
the increased price Of all commodi-
ties. so reduction in those costs must
be reflected by reduced prices.
1--WE say this because of labor's in
terest as consumer. as part of an over
burdened public. This fundamental
statement Of principle we respectfully
submit to the American people"