Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-08-06
RAILROADS WILL BE
OPERATED BY u. s.,
DECLARE LABOR MEN
Stone Says. Labor Might Ad-
vocate Firing Squad For
Profiteers.
.. '+-s'.,s~
Government Fixed Prices on
All Foods Foreseen by
Union Chief.

washington, Aug 6.-Some sharp
views of leaders of organized labor on
economic problems were. developed at
the opening Of hearings today before
the house interstate commerce COM
mittee on labor's plan for the re-
organization of the railroads. Warren
S. Stone, grand chief Of the Brother
hood of Locomotive Enginee.s, said
labor might advocate firing squad
for profiteers and declared that unless
congress found a solution of the high
cost of living problem within a few
months, America would meet its very
worst period"
THE people are not going to
starve." said he. 'They are going to
die fighting"
He added that the time would
come when all prices would be fixed
by the government
When Mr.. Stone was asked par
ticula.>ly concerning statements from
union leaders that they would ''sew
up the railroads." he replied:
ut is the rankest kind of nonsense
to say they will not run If this plan
fails of adoption. We know they
will run; the government will operate
them because the people must live and
railroads are essential to their well
fare."' =
DO you happen to know Of any
pooJ VINO ul0 not get dll tHey COuIo
out Of the war;" asked Representa-
II don't know of anybody" replied
Stone
Labor got ali 1t could?"
yes" "-7 So
"Weli," Mr.. Montague proceeded,
you know somebody who did not get
all they should Of have got-the SOL
diers and sailors in France"
he 70 NIT I,
that, adding that somebody else got
the soldiers share. :
Believes in Sims Bill.
Labor's belief in the Sims bill en-
bodying the railroad employees plan
for solution OF the railroad problem
was declared by Mr. Stone to be pro-
found. In this plan. he said, the
wo,kers raised the banner Of de.
nnocracy and, advanced. to "a new
crussdsa With the aaith u the pill.
:the, ss.pss / q. .thsss organize:
ai1as 81, ss. ,ere A' ,ae
Stone. Il speak as tlesvofee Of these
Is announce ihia eonInand 10 til.
people OF this country. that they are
supporting this measure with all the
strength and ali the unity of purpose
that can move so large body OF
citizens.
Joined with. Us and represented BY
Mr.. Morrison ia the American Feder.
alton Of Labor. adding three million
and a hall men to that body of rail
way employees who instituted this
movement. h ~
..> I'm the Industrial development OF
this country great organization OF
capital first appeared as employers
Individual workers. following the ex.
ample, set by capital, organized a
cure better working conditions and a
larger measure OF returns for their
labors. The full force of capitalistie
organization had been set. against la.
bor to hold and to keep all the pEoflts
of industry. The strength Of the Id.
Dor. unions has been exerted to wres,
from capital some share Of the proflts
for the wage earners. ~
A Constant Struggle.
''This has been perpetual struggle
by the workers to maintain a toler.
able standard Of existence; on the
part Of capital to mass greater profits
At times both sides could ignore thu
needs Of the public. But now thu
very growth Of the labor organization.
has brought into their ranks a grea,
mass Of the. consumers. A large
number Of the wage earners now con
stitute a large percentage of thu
people. The extension Of industry ha.
changed the nature Of the -previou.
struggle. .'s..
"For whatever the worker receive,
in wages he must spend for the neces
saries of life. In addition, he 10 al
ways compelled to pay the employer
an excessive profit on his own, wages
J.. The cost Of his living is determined
by the sum he earns plus the profits
he lis charged on his own labor A,
group labor is forever prevented
from bettering its own lot because o.
the profits exacted by the employer
The hope Of finer life is never real
ized. So long as consumers are forcet
to pay extortionate profits on theil
own earnings to third interest. therl
is. no solution Of the Industrial prob
lem.
Fixes Wages.
1--WE ind that this third interes
- absolutely controls and dominate,
' the management Of industry. 1t fixe,
wages and controls working condi
tions. It hxes the prices Of commodi
ties without regard to the needs o,
society or the necessities of producer,
tContnued on Page l3.l
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