The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-07
CONGRESS- GETS
LABOR PLAN TO
RUN RAILROADS
Leaders to Employ No Force
to Gain Government
Ownership.
PERIL SEEN IN PRICES
"Firing Squad Might Be Ad-
vOcated for PrOfiteers,"
Says Stone.
PERIL SEEN IN PRICES
Special Despatch to TIE suN.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6.-Organized
labor presented to Congress to-day its
plans for the future operation Of the
railroads and at the same time Its
officials gave the assurance that
violence and strikes would not be used
to force the adoption of its programme
of government ownership.
This promise was solemnly made by
Warren s. Stone, grand chief Of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers,
and Frank Morrison. secretary Of the
American Federation Of Labor, in
testimony before the House Interstate
and Foreign Commerce Commission,
urging the adoption Of the railway
employees plan of government owner
ship, known as the Plumb plan, which
is backed by organized labor.
Instead OF obtaining Congressional
approval by force or violence, both
witnesses promised the question prob
ably would be made a political issue
in 1920 and stated that efforts would
be made to have both Of the main
political parties adopt 1t as platform
plank. At the same time, 1t was
stated that a peaceful campaign OF
education would be conducted to win
approval for the programme among
the people OF the country. This was
, considered by members Of the COM
mittee to be a distinct change OF front
from the yelled threat carried in re-
cent statement of the brotherhood
chiefs.
Cost Reduction Demanded.
other outstanding developments OF
the testimony were:
Railway employees and all organ
lied labor demand immediate reduc-
ton of the high cost of living, or
will demand increased wages with
| nationwide strikes unless they are
granted.
1t was evident that there was
reluctance on the part OF the ofnciais
to stating whether organized labor
| proposes to extend NATURALIZATION TO
| all industries, should the Government
ownership of the railroads be ac-
| complished and prove successful.
Opposition to the Government own
| ership plan as well what some MEM
bers called the efforts of the rail-
way employees to obtain benefits that
| the rank and file OF the other work.
ers OF the country have not OBJ
tained, was apparent In the ques-
tions of almost all the members OF
the committee.
| Suggestions that the Government
fix the prices of all commodities and
that the Government act against the
big packers was made by the union
officials. Mr.. Stone said "a firing
squad might be advocated for GER
| tain profteers."
| Earnest objection was voiced to
the Presidents plan for a new wage
board to consider the present crisis.
| After the reading OF formal state.
ments, Chairman Esch (wis) and other
members of the committee Immediately
began to cross-question Mr.. Stone and
Mr.. Morrison as to the intent OF the
| truculent statement OF the brotherhood
chiefs recently given to the press that
the railway employees will not brooh
| the return)of the railroads to the pre-
war system of private ownership"
Rail statement Explained.
What was the purpose and intent Of
that statement2" Mr.. Esch asked.
ut means that we are bitterly op-
posed to the railroads being returned to
private ownership" Mr.. Stone replied.
"Should the committee not indorst
this plan, what would you do?" ques
toned Representative Sims (Tenn.)
who recently introduced a railroad bill
| along the lines of the statement put
forth by organized labor.
"Our action would be to try TO create
enough public sentiment through educa-
ton and propaganda to make Congress
feel that the majority Of the people
wanted it."
"How?"
Through every lawful means at ou
command"
Would you seek It through strikes? p
mo, sir. do not believe the brother
hoods would, although 1 am speaking
only for the engineers. Reduction In tn,
high cost OF living is what We want.
don't think any OF these organization
would strike to force the adoption OF tn,
Plumb plan. but I can assure you ther'
will be strikes and unrest unless the cos
OF living is brought down or wages ar,
raised. And We do strongly object 10 tn,
plan OF Director-General Hines for th
creation OF a new wage board, for thi
procedure would require too long a tim
and not relieve the immediate situation
The statement accredited to B. NJ
Jewell. acting president of the railwa.
employees department OF the AmericaI
| Continred on Fourth Page