The sun., 1919-08-05

position, the Brotherhoods demanding
n reduction In the cost of living and
the ehopmen and others demanding
immediate relief Of the Plumb plan.
They made 1t known that they were
not favorably inclined to the recon-
mendations already made for Con
gress action, and 1t was suggested, 1t
is understood, that an appropriation
to meet the situation Immediately was
suggested.
shopmen Call ON President.
The shopmen sought an audience
with the President. The President Is
reported TO have told them that he
had every Government agency operat-
ing to reduce the cost Of living and
that while there was no hopelof pre-
war prices reduction might be
locked for. He Indicated that the
process Of price reduction would be
slow one. The President outlined
the steps taken and the results en-
pected and urged consideration of the
national welfare In the efforts of the
shepmen to better their condition.
The President was told, as Mr.. Hines
had been told, that the rank and file
of the men were being kept in re-
straint with difficulty. The strikes
already called were cited as examples
Of the difficulty of keeping the men
from direct action, and hasty solution
of the problem was urged upon the
Executive. He gave assurance that
everything possible to meet the sit
uation would be done.
The shopmen talked insistently for
immediate action without waiting for
new legislation. They outlined to the
President the details of their demands
from the time they were originally
submitted In. January last to the pres
emit, saying that they had waited for
more than half year for an answer,
while living conditions had become
rapidly worse.
Representatives Of the brotherhoods
denied that the railroad unions are
holding up Congress and the Govern
msnt again, or that their demands for
government ownership and participa-
ton in railroad operations constituted
q threat
statement of Bretherhooas.
In a statement by all of the broth
erhood leaders and Mr.. Jewell the
brotherhoods say they are merely sug-
gesting a solution OF the economic
problem and are acting for the people
The statement reads.
THE inHuendoes In telegraphed de2'
patches from Washington, appearing also
In the speech OF Representative Blanton
of Texas, that the railroad unions are
holding up Congress and the Govern
ment' may as well cease. This appeal
: Is made to the American people direct.
1t inyokes the judgment and common
sense Of public sentiment Of all the
public which earns wage or stipend.
1--WE recognize that the only way In
which we can exist under the present
system Is to demand further increases
In wages. But we agree with Repre-
sentative Blanfon that this affords but
temporary relief. 1t does not offer q
remedy.
"Labor's bill, on the other hand, pro-
vides a remedy and we ask merely
s, that It's terms be scrutin!zed. Our full
argument in support of these terms will
be presented on Wednesday before the
House Committee on Interstate Com
merce by Warren 8. Stone. Grand Chief
brotherhood OF Locomotive Engineers
Frank Morrison. Secretary Of the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor. and eileen e
Plumb. general counsel of the Organ.
ICED Railway Employees of America
In this statement we are sounding the
note OF our basic principle.
THAT this role originates with labor
Is merely because labor happens to havs
firm organizations through which it may
become artieulate. 1t is not to benefit
labor as labor alone; 1t Is to benefit
the consuming public. of which labor al
present Is the audible part. In labor's
bill providing that the public take over
the railroads and establish a tripartitt
control between the public, the railway
operating management and the employ.
ees. the labor organizations Of America
have established this new policy, which
envisages their condition not only al
producers but also as consumers
Demand New System of Profits.
at marks the step by which organ
ised labor passes from demands fol
wage Increases to demands that tn,
system of profits in industry be over
hauled. Hitherto during successive wag,
negotiations and arbitration awards W,
have called for provisional settlement
only. of questions arising out OF diff
ferences as to wages, hours and con
ditions Of labor. That principle of gen
uine cooperation and partnership base,
upon real community of interest ant
participation IN control of which Presl
dent Wilson has spoken to Congress
has been ignored both by labor and b,
the private owners OF the railroads.
what wage increases have been re
ceived during the past few years re-
suited only in Immediately being fol
lowed by more than proportionate in
creases in the cost OF living. Each ris
: In wages has turned out to mean onl,
temporary relief for the affected work
ers.
when the increases have gone aroun
the circle labor as producer loses tn
advantage OF the new wages throuR
the additional cost 1t pays as consumer
Moreover. through compounded profit
taken on these wage increases, eac
cycle becomes an upward spiral of costs
which the consuming public vainl
reaches to control
"As the major part of the consunin
public labor 10 entitled to Representative
on the directorate of the public rail
roads. As producer OF capital II
entitled to representation on the direc
torate of the railroads To capital. whio
10 the fruit OF yesterdays labor. we no,