Evening star., 1921-06-26
BY THOMAS r.. MARSHALL.


States
DARE assert that when I was
Governor of Indiana l was the
friend Of the men who worked
on the railroads Of the country
and that I proved my friendship.
1 gave not mere lip service, but
made genuine effort to enact reme-
dial legislation to protect life and
limb and to promote the safety and
convenience of employees and pas
sengers.
I am sorry to recall that our ef-
forts. most Of which were success
full. did not have the support Of the
owners of the roads nor receive
their Endorsement. Indeed. such
laws as we passed were written on
the statute books over the protest
and in spite Of objections made by
the owners and managers OF the
properties. who opposed our re-
forms not because they were use
less or unneeded. but because they
involved increased expenditures
which could not we'll be met with
the revenue coming in.
I refer to my official acts only to
remind railroad workers that I am
their proven friend. This should
grant me the right to make sug-
gestions concerning matters Of
current interest to them and to the
public at large. The great weak
ness Of our common humanity is
that we believe only those to be
our friends who agree with US. We
resent any interference on the part
of strangers masquerading as
friends.
Every unfortunate experience
ever had at the bar carle from giv-
ing advice which my client did not
want and would not follow. or
from the distribution Of free and
unsolicited advice. This is particu-
larly obnoxious to most Of us. We
rather pride ourselves on our
ability to manage our own affairs.
Free advice is apt to be dangerous.
The chances are that it will not be
taken, and that it will bring only
blame. abuse. enmity. to the one
volunteering it.
remember fistic encounter be-
tween a preacher in our town and
one OF his neishbors. The man
who was more used to fighting the
devil than fighting humans was
getting the worst Of it when a dis
tinguished judge. who subsequent.
ly adorned the supreme court Of
Indiana. lent hand by pulling of
the assailant and helping the divine
to his feet. Were his services ap-
preciated? Was he thanked? Stiff
ly the parson addressed him:
Judge. I wish you would mind
your own business. II I need your
assistance when I am engaged in a
little controversy with a friend I
will let you know"
The least understood of all scrip
ture Is the statement: Faithful
are the wounds Of a friend"
use the railroads much more
than the average man in America.
travel most Of the time. I ap-
preciate the dangers Of the men
who run the trains and work in the
yards and shops. I remember say
ing long ago that az a mere matter
Of safety would Join the Army
rather than enter the railroad serv-
ice. Much advance has been made In
recent years in promoting safety.
Accidents are fewer. The slogan
Safety first" has been uppermost
} in the minds OF employees and
travellers. Ambulance-chasing law.
yers. surgeons and undertakers
find 1t profitable no longer to
linger about railroad stations and
yards.
1t must be admitted that the
bulk OF remedial legislation by
states and the Congress Is due to
the agitation and insistent de.
mands Of labor organizations. They
have always found governors and
legislators who had listening and
impartial ears. And the brother
hoods have brought this good
work-to their own glory!-with-
out the aid OF strikes. They have
made their appeal to right and
reason: not to force. They have
Justly added TO the expense of rail-
road operations. They must not
now say that some OF the expen-
sive changes looking to increased
safety can be dispensed with. The
safety Of the public. as well as