The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-12-09

der the most essential service in our
social organization without q fair
return on capital invested, but the
government his gone SO far in the
regulation of rates and rules of oper-
alton that it has the responsibility of
pointing the way to the reduced
freight costs. so essential to your ma
tional welfare.
Government operation does not
afford the cure. Clearly the man
ayers are without that intercarrier.
operative relationship so highly
essential to the best and most eco
nomcal operation. They could not
function in harmony when the strike
threatened the paralysis of all, rail-
way transportation.
Pooling. Freight Cars
II remind you that Congress pro-
vided joint commission of agricul-
tural inquiry which made an ex-
haustlve investigation of car service
and transportation, and unanimously
recommended in it's report OF October
is, 1921, the pooling of freight cars
under central agency. This report
well deserves your serious consid-
GRAFTON.
In a previous address to the Con-
gress l called your attention to the
insufficiency of power to enforce the
decisions OF the railroad labor board.
Carriers have ignored its decisions on
the one hand railway workmen have
challenged its decisions by a strike
on the other hand.
The labor board itself is not so
constituted as best to serve the pub
lie interest. With six partisan mem
bers on board of nine, three par
tisans nominated by the employees
and three by the railway managers,
it is Inevitable that the partisan
viewpoint Is maintained throughout
hearings and $ in decisions handed
down. | am well convinced that the
functions OF this tribunal could be
much better carried on here in Wash
ington. Even were it to be continued
to be contact with the interstate
commerce commission.
Settling Labor Disputes
The substitution of labor di-
vision in the interstate commerce.
commission made up from the mem
bership to hear and decide disputes
Chains ~ Wa6CS anu WI hiiiS tciAr
ditions which have failed of adjust
ment by proper committees created
by the railways and their employees
offers more effective plan.
This suggested substitution will
involve a necessary increase in the
membership of the commission. prob
ably four, to constitute the labor di-
vision. If the suggestion appeals
to the Congress. it will be we'll to
specify that the labor division shall
be constituted by representatives. OF
the four rate making territories.
thereby assuring a tribunal convex
SAINT with the conditions which OBJ
tain in the different rate making sec
tons OF the country.
Il wish l could bring to you the
precise recommendation for the pre-
vention OF strikes which threaten the
welfare of the people and menace
public safety. 1t is an impotent civ
ilization, and an inadequate govern
ment which lacks the genius and the
courage to guard against such 4 me-
mace to public welfare as we expert
enced last summer. Public interest
demands that ample power shall be
conferred upon the labor tribunal,
whether 1t is the present board or the
su6 Cslcu 10 require itS
rulings to be accepted by both parties
to a disputed question.
Let there be no confusion about
the purpose of the suggested confer
ment OF the power to make the de-
cisions effective. There can be no
denial of constitutional rights to
either railway workmen or railway
managers"
Right to Work
mo man can be denied his right to
labor when he so chooses, or cease to
labor when he so elects. but since the
government assumes to safeguard his
interests while employed in any es-
scntial public service. the security OF
society itself demands his retirement
from the service shall not be so timed
and related as to effect the destruc-
tiCn of that service.
During it's longer session the pres
ent Congress enacted a new tariff
law. The protection of the American
standards OF living demanded the in
surance 1t provides against the dis
torted conditions of world commerce.
No one ctntemplates commercial
aloofness, nor any other aloofness
contradictory to the best American
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