Saturday Evening, September 2, 1916
PAGE TWO
THE KINSTON FREE PRESS
V "K
THE DAILY FREE PRESS
(United Ptcm Telegraphic Reports)
H. Gait Braxton, Editor and Manager
fubhjhad Every Day Except Sunday by the Xinaton Trt
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"TJ SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 2, 1916 .
9inWsy "the head that wears the crown." Con
ijyfgil fleeing ruler of Greece.
'"t The embargoes placed on freight because of the im
pending strike have already given a sample of what
would be felt should the general tie-up come.
'i . ........ v . .
', , Congm has demonstrated that legislation
. acted wjtflfHit the usual and time-honored red
can be en
without the usual and time-honored red tape meth
ads, when such Is needed to avert a catastrophe.
j (Cpndidate lughea geta "stranded", at aome out of
the wayjlace( rout back to the 'East, because of the
rlroajje-uujthat "one speech of his'n" will grow pret
ty jnijOaotojirous for the townsfolk,
' Xinaton having its first Saturday aale on the tobacco
inrkeforthe season. The warehouse drawing the
m$r& gjo'l or iFrklay didn't get ft start even, eo full
wore((the oors of the other four houses, which had first
and, second sales. I
carrying out of tha orders of their leadens. Odd, isn't it,
when a fellow ia eatiafled with his Job and his employer
is satisfied with his aerviccs that be should have to un
willingly forsake it because aome of his brother workers
want to Improve their condition T
The Tobacco Board of Trade may be wise in prohibit
ing drumming ty local warehousemen within a radius of
ten miles of Kinston, but there is certainly an element
of "stifling" competition in the restriction. No "law"
can be drafted that will prevent the warehouse from set
ting forth their claims Jn the columns of The Free
Press, however, and four of the local houses are taking
advantage of the next best opportunity to a personal call,
to exploit good reasons for bringing tobacco to Kinatom
ind to their respective floors.
This afternoon at Shadow Lawn, the eummer capital
of the United States, President Woodrow Wilson receiv
d the committee, designated by the Democratic National
Convention, and was formally notified of his nomination
for a second term as the standard bearer of the Demc
yacy. Mr. Wilson's speech of acceptance, which is print
id elsewhere in this paper, is) a report of good uteward
hip, of achievement, of fulfilled promises, of construct
ve legislation, of an executive administration, conspicu
3us for its ability and successful preservation of peace in
ipite of many provocations for precipitate action for the
maintenance of national rights.
We know of no instance in the, South where the baby
daughter or member of the family of a courageous offi
ce 'bjsn, on fulfilling hit sworn duty, has been, killed
bytthe direct or indirect action of a mob. The Chicago
Tribune will please take note. ,
, - ; ' -
;The Stalesville Landmark reminds us that ex-presidents
of the United States have much difficulty in Veep,
ing themselves from utter oblivion. Yesl even the Colonel
has been unable to keep himself in the limelight, and that
in" spite of Ms ."vlgorosity," verbosity, atrenuosity and
ability to have the last aay.
Those aviation instructors, who are tutoring the sons
of the rich in the art of steering air craft at the rate of
dollar a minute, most probably find the work more prof
itable and safer aa well, than "doing the piral glide'
for a thousand eimoleons per chance.
Wonder if the men who are entitled to discharge from
military service because of dependent families, but whose
application for some reason, best known to the "higher
up, have been held up or sent in "disapproved," will be
kept in the service because of the new ruling of the War
Department, whereby no mora applications are to be con
aidered after August 80 T "There are tricks in all trades."
AND BLEASE CAME BACK?
The Free iPress is not inclined to take the view that
'he primary in South Carolina this week is indicative that
Blease has "come back." It simply ehows beyond a rea
sonable doubt that Blease is holding his own. Those
who have followed him and supported him in the past are
rtill loyal. Happily, according to tha estimates of those
In touch with the situation, tha anti-Blease vote is well
In the majority, and in the second primary, when only
mo candidate is on the other side, it should be a am
oaratively easy matter to defeat Bleaae for a third term.
Blease represents the reactionary and loose moral ele
ment of South Carolina. His election would moan that
the "blind tiger" faction would prevail. The liquorites
would be glad to see Blease in office because their inter
ests would be better taken care of under his administra
tion. There is every reason to believe from past records,
'hat Bloam would fail to enforce the prohibition laws,
which have been put on the statute books since his last
'erm, and which have, according to reports, been well en
forced under the Manning regime. '
It ia not at all unnatural that the old "personal liber
ty" faction would hold together and die hard. There is
no doubt of a well defined hope throughout tho better
circles of South Carolina for a "down with Blease" and
his gang. And the good citizens of the sister States join
a the chorus. Let' hope that Blease polled his full
strength in the first race, and that those m favor of good
government will realiie their responsibility to go to the
oolls and make his defeat sure when the run-off is held
WHAT OTHERS SAY
Something of an amsmoly is presented by those mem
bers of tire various trainmen's brotherhoods, who are re
ported to have sought court Injunctions to prevent the
THE DIPLOMAT. 1
Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch: "While Boy-Ed, Von Pape
and others have fallen by the wayside, Count Von Bern
atorff has managed successfully to remain as the Ger
man Ambassador under trying circumstances.
"That he la a diplomat of high order ia shown by the
newspaper report of the arrival of his wife, who reach
ed New York a few days ago. The report aays:
"When Count Von Bernstorff was askod if he objected
to the Countess giving an interview, he aaid:
"Certainly not. I will even ask her if she has arything
to say."
"Approaching his wife, the Ambassador said to her
"These gentlemen would like to know that you have
nothing to say. Is that true?"
"It was the truest thing the Ambassador ever aaid."
CALL FOR
Sittersoifs Pure
Ice Cream
State QAnaly sis Proves it to be
nie Best
Made in Kinston
'y---' '' ' :' Phone 8 .
CubGcribo to
v. u m Lm it LviUtwi ia m m im J w
Mountain Excursion to
ASHEVILLE, N. O,
THE LAND OF THE SKY
Tuesday, Sept 5th, 1916
SOUTHERN RAILWAY,
TICKETS LIMITED SIX DAYS
Through Pullman Cars and Coaches.
LEAVE
Goldaboro 2:00 p. m. $6.75,
Selma 8:00 p. m. 6.25. .
Raleigh 4:05 p. ra. $5.75. ;
Henderson 2:15 p. nu $5.75.
Oxford ashdri uautah
Oxford 2:65 p. m 5.75.
Durham 5:08 p. m. S5.75. '
Chapel Hill 4:00 p. ra. $5.75.
Burlington 6:25 p. ra. $5.75.
Greensboro 7:20 p. nu $5.00.
ARRIVE
Asheville, Wednesday morning,
September 6, 1916.
Round trip fares on aama basis
from intermediate points.
Returning tickets will be good to
leave Aahevillo on all regular trains
up to and including all trains leav
ing Asheville Sunday, September 10,
1916.
This ia the best time of tha season
to visit the mountains.
Asheville, Wayneaville, Henderson
ville, Brevard, Lake Toxaway and
varioua other points. ,
Make your sleeping car reeervt tions
ia advance. j
For sleeping car eoservationa and!
further information ask . Southern
Railway Ticket Agent, or vddreas.
J. O. JONES.
Traveling Passenger Agent,
FOR
INFORMATION
OF THE PU
BLIG:
The Railroads' statement of their post'
tion on the threatened strike, as presented
to the President of the United States
A strike on all the railroads of the country has been called by the Train
Drotherhoods for 7 o'clock Monday morning, September 4.
This strike "was ordered from Washington while the President of the
United States was making every effort to avert the disaster.
The Final Railroad Proposal
The final proposal made by the railroads for a peaceful settlement of the coi?
troversy, but which was rejected by the brotherhoods, was as follows:
(a) The railroads will, effective September i, 1916,
keep the time of all men represented in this movement,
upon an 8 hour basis and by separate account, monthly,
with each man, maintain a record of the difference
between the money actually earned by him on the
present basis and the amount that would have been
earned upon an 8 hour basis overtime on each basis
to be computed pro rata.
The amounts so shown will be subject to the :
decision of the Commission, provided for in Paragraph
(c) of this mciiiorcuidum and payable in money, as
may be directed by said Commission in its findings and
decision.
(b) The Interstate Commerce Commission to
supervise the keeping of these accounts and report the
increased cost of the 8 hour basis, after such period of
actual experience as their judgment approves or the
President may Cx. not. however, less than three '
months.
(c) In view of the far-reaching consequences of the
declaration made by the President, accepting the'
8 hour day, not only upon the railroads and the classes
of labor involved directly in this controversy, but to
the public and upon all industry, it seems plain that
before the existing conditions are changed, the whole
sul ject in so far as it affects the railroads and their
employees, should be investigated and determined by
a Commission to be appointed by the President, of
such standing as to compel attention and respect to
its findings. The judgment of such a Commission
would be a helpful basis for adjustments with labor
and such lef;'.iiution as intelligent public opinion, so
informed, might demand.
Statement of Executives to the President
In submitting this proposal to the President, the fifty railroad executives called to
Washington and representing all the great arteries of traffic, made this statement to
him of their convictions: j '
The demands in this controversy have not been
presented, in our judgment, for the purpose of fixing a
definite daily period of labor, nor a reduction in the
existing hours of labor or change in methods of opera
tion, bat for the real purpose of accomplishing an
increase in wages of approximately One Hundred
Million Dollars per annum, or 35 per cent, for the men
in railroad freight train and yard service represented
by the labor organizations in this matter. ,
After careful examination of the facts and patient
and continuous consultation with the Conference
Committee of Managers, and among ourselves, we
have reached a clear understanding of the magnitude
of the questions, and of the serious consequences to
the railroads and to the public, involved in the decision
of them. .. :-'
Trustees for the Public
As trustees for the public, served by our lines and
for the great mass of the less powerful employees (not
less than 80 per cent, of the whole number) interested
in the railroad wage fund as trustees also for the
millions of people that have invested their sayings and
capital in the bonds and stock of these properties,
and who through the saving banks, trust companies
and insurance companies, are vitally interested to the
extent of millions of dollars, in the integrity and
solvency of the railroads of the country, we cannot in
conscience surrender without a hearing, the principle
involved, nor undertake to transfer the enormous cost
that will result to the transportation of the commerce
of the country.
The eight-hour day without punitive overtime
involves an annual increase, approximately, in the
aggregate of Sixty Millions of Dollars, and an increase
of more than ao per cent, in the pay of the men,
already the most highly paid in the transportation
service. .
The ultimate cost to the railroads of an admission
in this manner of the principle under contention
cannot now be estimated; the effect upon the effi
ciency of the transportation of the country now
already under severe test under the tide of business
now moving, and at a time when more, instead of less.
effort is required for the public welfare, would be
harmful beyond calculation.
The widespread effect upon the industries of the
country as a whole is beyond measure or appraise
ment at this time, and we agree with the insistent and
widespread public concern over the gravity of the
situation and the consequences of a surrender by the
railroads in this emergency.
In like manner we are deeply impressed with the
sense of our responsibility to maintain and keep open
the arteries of transportation, which carry the life
blood of the commerce of the country, and of the
consequences that will flow from even temporary
interruption of service over the railroads, but the
issues presented have been raised above and beyond
the social and monetary questions involved, and
. the responsibility for the consequences that may
arise will rest upon those that provoke it.
Public Investigation Urged
The questions involved are in our respectful judg-'
ment, eminently suitable for the calm investigation
and decision by the public through the agency of fair
arbitration, and cannot be disposed of, to the public
satisfaction, in any other manner. :
The decision of a Commission or Board of Arbi
tration, having the public confidence, will be accepted '
by the public, and the social and financial rearrange
ments made necessary thereby will be undertaken by
the public, but in no less deliberate nor orderly
manner.
The railroads of the country cannot under present
j conditions assume this enormous increase in their
expenses. If imposed upon them, it would involve v
many in early financial embarrassment and bank
ruptcy and imperil the power of all to maintain
their credit and the integrity of their securities. -
The immediate increase in cost, followed by other
increases that would be inevitable, would substan
tially appropriate the present purchasing power of
the railroads and disable them from expanding and
improving their facilities and equipment, to keep
abreast of the demands of the country for efficient
transportation service. . v rv
In good faith we have worked continuously and earnestly in a sincere effort to
solve the problem in justice to all the parties at interest. These efforts were still
in progress when the issuance of the strike order showed them to be unavailing.
Problem Threatens Democracy Itself
The strike, if it comes, will' be forced upon the country by the best paid
class of laborers in the world, at a time wHen the country has the greatest need
for transportation efficiency. ; ,
- The problem presented is not that alone of the railroad or business world,
but involving democracy itself, and sharply presents the question whether any
group of citizens should be allowed to possess the power to imperil the life
of the country by conspiring to block the arteries of commerce.
HALB HOLDEN.
CktMjo, Buriiaftoa & Qhwy Rulra4.
W. W. ATTERBURY; .
' . FMMylvuia Rilr4. , .
FAIRFAX HARRISON,
. 3thtf Railway.
S. S. LOVBTT.
Uaioa Paciaa Syttes
B. P. RIPLEY, ;
Atofciaaa, Tapaka A Saata Fa SyataaB.
A. H. SMITH,
Naw York Caatral LW '
FRANK TRUMBULL,
Cbaaaaaaka Okia Railway.'
DANIEL WILLARD,
Baltiaora aad Okia Railraai.
it .
c.
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