Milford chronicle., 1923-07-13
Do the Organized
Railroad Workers
Want Government
Ownership?

Ownership?
"MY ANSWER is, NO!" EAIPHATI-
, CALLY SAYS BROTHERHOOD
| LEADER.
w. N. Doak, Vice-President of the
: Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen,
addressing the Chamber of Com
, merce of the United States at New
, York City, May 10, 1928, said in part:
Labors interest in adequate tinan-
cial support for the railroads must be
apparent to all. Too often, however,
labor is placed in an awkward position
on this subject and frequently misun-
derstoOd, in general being misunder-
stood and misrepresented many times
both by those within and without the
labor movement.
What could be of more importance
to working man than to know that
his wages will be promptly and prop
erly paid when due for services rem
dered? What of more interest to him
than to know he is secure in his en-
ployment, that his wages will be fair,
his conditions of employment good and
wholesome, secure in his opportunity
to lay away something for old age or
sickness and assured of good treat
ment in his work?
Added thereto is the pride that
comes to every loyal employe in know
ing that his employing company is
prosperous. His interests are subor-
dinate to none.
Upon the financial stability of the
railroad depends all of these desirable
conditions.
We must have transportation under |
either private or public ownership. If |
we do not join hands in making pri-
Vate ownership a success, then the |
other step must be taken.
Let us see what we are already pay
ing now to run the different govern
ments in the United States, or as some
one has so aptly put it, what it cost
to be governed" There are 100000
Office holders already on the pay rolls
of the country. Mr.. William P. Helm,
Jr., OF this City submits the cost of
maintaining the various governments
in the United States as follows:
Cost of maintaining the
Federal Government --- 81 ,666, GIL ,954
Cost of maintaining 48
State Governments ,008 $40. .232
Cost of maintaining 253
municipal governments {
in cities of more than =
10000 inhabitants . .638 .296,O52 I
Cost Of maintaining the {
municipal governments c
in all towns and cities {
of from $500 to 3d. {
900 population ---.----.-. 481.287,O69 S
Cost of maintaining Y
municipal governments
in 1905 Incorporated q
communities of less /
than $500 inhabitants 123147,687 f
Cost of maintaining a
county governments in t.
the 4S states -------.-----.--.- 592,O6S,972 v
Total cost of American c
Governments in 1921 .-S8,46O. OIL .587 e
Add to this immense amount the t.
more than 100000 railroad en- l,
plOyes and we would find that there
would be 100000 Government en-
oloyes, with a probable total depend
sncy on governmental pay of 2O,OOO,- a
100, or for each five of the population Il
here would be one government de- =
pendent. Y
Does railroad labor believe in Fed
'ral ownership, control or operation? 9
S question asked so many times by a.
he general public. G.
My answer is NO! None of these Ot
re desirable, nor should they be re- "
orted to except as a last resort. 81
lany of the public have been told and .
many believe that the railroad en-
lOyes as whole have endorsed Gov
ownership and tripartite con-
rol. 1t is true that number of or
anizations at one time declared in
avor of such plan; however, ours
id not, because we found it objection
BILE and, generally speaking, I'M
ound, being purely an untried the
ry. e.
The majority of railroad employees
ant freedom of action and the right
} deal with their employer, through
leir regularly constituted committees
nd representatives rather than being
overned by boards or commissions.
hey prefer meeting in conference, to
nd even though there might be an m
ccasiOnal disagreement or even a HI
rike once in while on some lire, HI
speaks better for the industry and
ore good can be accomplished by
andling matters as of old around the
Inference table.
M
In passing let me set at rest any I'LL
ought that the managements of the Il
.ilroads are held in disdain by the III
ilroad employees or that there is any
eat friction between the two. The Il
Ost cordial relations exist and the AM
Ost wholesome respect and good will ha1
entertained one for the other. In deI
Ost instances the operating officers do
the various lines are promoted en- Sc
Jyes who have come up through the
nks. There is today insofar as we bic
e concerned no trouble of any kind pal
tn the management, neither is there mes
y friction; so you may be assured vel
It industrial peace is everywhere Wol
parent insofar as the railroads and py'
: transportation employees are con- YEA
ned. "ee
We are all tired of strife. Let us N
N have peace, peace by right not glrl
might nor through temporary ad- Crol
ltage, but by justice, and justice MAJ
/ never be administered unless it is -
- crbf