Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-08-06
Mr.. Stone Says Labor
Has Not Yet Proposed.
1t, But May Do So.
HOUSE COMMITTEE
HEARS UNION MEN
MIR. Morrison Predicts That
Steel Corporation Will
Be Unionized.

While organized labor has no con-
crete suggestion for reducing the cost
OF living. it may later, after a more
thorough inquiry, advocate a firing
squad for some of those responsible
for the wave of profiteering sweeping
over the country. Warren s. Stone,
grand chief of the Brotherhood OF
Locomotive Engineers, told the House
interstate commerce committee today.
Mr.. Stone appeared before the com
mittee as the first witness at the
hearing on the Plumb plan for rail-
road control by the public, the operat-
ing arrangements and labor.
Unions in Steel Industry.
Prediction that labor would organize
the United States Steel Corporation
and establish the eight hour day for
it's employees was made by Frank Nor
rison, secretary of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor. who also appeared
before the committee in support of the
bill. He said the measure would re-
establish the theory that the railroads
should be operated for public service
rather than private profit.
Questioned by Chairman Esch after
he had presented his formal statement.
Mr.. Stone said the brotherhoods were
bitterly opposed to return of the rail-
roads to the old system of control. In
the event the committee rejected the
Plumb plan, 1t would be the policy OF
labor he added, to create enough sem
timent in and out of Congress to force
it's adoption.
I'VE have not and do not make any
strike threats" the witness said. in
this connection. I'VE have not even
demanded an increase in wages. pre-
ferring a reduction in the cost OF
living.
Gives Opinion as to Solution.
~. do not believe any labor or
through the Plumb PLAN" Mr.. Stone .
continued 81 think some organize
lions will strike unless something 10
done Immediately to raise Mages or
reduce the latter you solve the en-
tire problem of Industrial unrest"
Declaring that American democracy
was controlled by an autocracy In
industry. Mr.. Stone argued that there
could be no solution and no lowering
of the cost of living as long as con-
sumers had to pay extortionate profits
on their own earnings in purchasing
the neceSSarieS OF LIE.
Labor's belief in the Sims bill, EN-
bodying the railroad employees plan
for the solution of the railroad prob
lem. was declared by Mr.. Stone to be
profound, In this plan, he said, the
workers raised the banner Of democ-
racy in control of industry, and ad-
vanced ito a new crusade with the
faith of the Pilgrims"
"At the request of these organixa-
tions (the railroad brotherhoods) the
CT ~ 1Afa
Mr.. Stone. Il speak as the voice Of
these 1000, 900 men. delegated by them
to announce to this committee and to
the people of this country that they
the strength and all the unity of pur-
pose that can move so large a body
of citizens.
Joined by Federation.
Joined with us and represented by
Mr. Morrison Is the American Fedora
ton of Labor, adding three million
and and a half men to that body OF
railway employees who instituted this
movement.
"In the industrial development Of
this country great organizations OF
capital first appeared as employers.
Individual workers. following the ex-
ample set by capital. organized as en-
ployes. Their purpose was to secure
u
er measure of return for their labors.
The full force of capitalistic organi-
cations has been set against labor to
hold and to keep all the profits Of in
dustry. The strength of the labor
unions has been exerted to wrest from
the wage earners.
For whatever the worker receives
In wages he must spend for the neces-
saries of life. In addition. he is al
ways compelled to pay to the en-
ployer an excessive profit on his own
wages. TIE cost of his living is de-
termined by the sum he earns plus
the profit he is charged on his own
labor. And as a group. labor is for
ever prevented from lettering it's lot
because of the profits exacted by the
employer"
Fruit Dumped to Hold Prices. !
Discussing profiteering, Mr.. Stone
said that from eighteen to twenty-five
were dumped at Cleveland every day.
simply in order to keep up prices.
Representative Winslow, republican,
Massachusetts,. engaged the witness in
sharp colloquy which at times
brought laughter from the large
crowd at the hearing. Mr.. Winslow
wanted to know what Mr.. Stone
thought Congress should have done,
Congress could have seen what was
coming months ago." the witness re-
piled. Congress was SO busy play
ing politics it could not think of the
common people. If there were no
laws to deal with the problem laws
should have been passed" e
Answering Representative Sanders.
republican, Indiana, Mr.. Stone said
the time was coming when the price
Of coal would be fixed by the gov
eminent, 80 men won't get rich
while others freeze" ~
Atlantic City Resolutions.
Mr. Morrison said at the nnt SET of