The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-08-07
BROTHERHOOD HEAD
MAKES INDUSTRIAL
FREEDOM HIS PLEA
ENGTNEERS' CHIEF SUPPORTS
LABOR'S DEMAND FOR OPER-
ALTON or RAILROADS

Washington, Aug. G.-Labor now de
OF industrial freedom as ii has become
land of political freedom, Warren
s. stone grand chief of the Brother
hood of Locomotive Engineers, said TO-
day In appearing before the house in
terstate commerce committee in sup
port of organized labor's plans for pub
lie ownership and priytae operation of
the railroads,
Declaring that American democracy
was controlled by an autocracy in in
dustry. 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 extorionate profits
ON their own earnings in purchasing
as, necessaries of life.
l.abors belief in the Sims bill en-
bodying the railroad employees plar
for the solution of the railroad prop
lem was declared by Mr.. stone 10 be
profound. In this plan, he said the
workers raised the banner of democ
racy in control of industry and ad'
vanced to "a new crusade with the
faith of the pilgrims"
AT the request Of these organlZa
tions uhe railroad brotherhoodsl tn"
Sims bill is now before you" Mr.. stone
said II speak as the voice Of these
1000 600 men. delegated by them TO
announce to this committee and TO the
people of this country that they are
supporting this measure with all the
strength and all the unity of purpose
that can move so large a body of citi-
zens
Joined with US and represented by
Mr.. Morrison is the American Fedora
ton of Labor, adding 100000 men 10
that body Of railway employees, VINO
instituted this movement.
Capital Set Against Labor
"In the industrial development OF
this country great Organizations OF
capital first appeared as employers
Individual workers, following the eN'
ample set by capital. organized as
employees Their purpose was to on
tain better working conditions and
larger measure of return for their IA
bors. The full force of cap.talisuc or
ganizations has been set against Iapol
TO hold and to Keep all the profns OF
industry. The strength of the labor
unions has been cXerted TO WreSt from
capital some share of the profits FOR
the wage earners.
This has been perpetual strugsl"
hy the workers to maintain tolerapiv
standard of existence, on the part OF
capital to amass greater proiltS.
Al times. both sides could ignore the
needs Of the public But now the very
growth of the labor organizations mas
brought into their ranks a great mass
of the consumers The large number
of the wage earners now constitute
large percentage Of the people Ihe
extension of industry has changed the
nature of the previous struggle.
For whatever the worker receives
n wages he must spend for the neces
sarieS of life. In addition, he Is al
ways compelled to pay the employer
an excessive profit on his own wages
The cost of his living is determined
by the sum he earns, plus the proilt
he is charged on his own labor. Ana
as a group. labor is forever prevented
from bettering its lot because OF the
profits exacted by the employer. Th'
hope of a finer life is never realized.
So long as consumers are forced 10
pay extortionate profits on their own
earnings to a third interest there is
no solution of the industries problem
"Third Interest" in Control
I'VE find that this third interest ab-
1n,,, of
management of industry. 1t fixes
wages and controls working conditions,
It fixes the prices of commodities
without regard to the needs of society
or the necessities of producers ana
consumers. We have democratic
form of government, but an autocratic
control of industry.
we exist under government, but
by industry we live. Under such a
system the majority of modern democ-
racy can through their government
enjoy only such rights and privileges
as an autocracy in industry permits
the to receive. This country was
pledged by a race who sought within
its boundaries religious freedom. 1t
was established by their descendants
through revolution as a land of polltl-
cal freedom. We now demand that
II become the home Of industrial free
dom
This can only be accomplished by |
extending to industry the same rights |
of individual freedom recognized by |
the founders of our government in es'
this democracy. The need |
of mankind for the products of indus
try must be accepted as the basic in
terest in all industry. The right or
the workers who supply that need ike
acceptance. This can only be achieved
bv permitting producers and consum-
ars to share in control of the manage
ment Of their means of expense. the
machinery for attaining this result.
we believe, is embodied in the plan /
outlined in the Sims bill.
our belief in the efficacy of TINS
nlan is profound. We embrace this
plan with all the ardor of these who
sought political freedom. In this plan
we raise the banner of democracy in
control of industry, we advance to
new crusade with the faith of the pill
grirna with the convictions of the
trainers OF the constitution. and with
the hope of America for economic in