The Public To Pay The Bill

The raising of railway wages has now extended, by actual or promised increase, to 650,000 employees, more than one-half of all in the service. Such an era of industrial goodd will was never before known. The French King who wanted prosperity to be general that every one of his subjects could have a chicken in his pot on Sunday night see here the addition of a beefsteak a day to more than half a million dinner tables by the munificence of the railway directors. But a word of comment on this munificence by a Pennsylvania executive official yesterday merits attention: "We have advanced the wages of our employees," he said. "And it is only fair that the public should contribute toward it, and this can be done by increasing the freight rates." It usually comes to that in the end -the public pays the bill. The cost of living having increased the benevolent manager raises wages to meet the increase. Then to offset the raise of wages he makes commodities dearer still by adding a little to the charges for carrying them. The public's back is broad and is used to such burdens. - New York World.

-------------------------------------------------

Honors are apparently easy between President Eliot of Harvard and the American Federation of Labor. But to the average thinking man it does not appear that either side to the controversy had done anything very creditable. President Eliot's views upon organized labor are perhaps extreme and not to taken as the safest and most accurate views. But the denunciations heaped upon him by the A. F. of L  cannot safely be taken as safe by the man of inquiring mind. Organized labor adds nothing to its standing by such intemperate and ill-advises attacks on persons who do not agree with it in all things. President Eliot was sharply criticized throughout the country for his extreme views and the American, Federation could have safely left the matter there, or at least it should not have fallen into the same error that  that President Eliot did of stating too radical opinions. Tolerance is a hard lesson, but labor will be greatly advantaged by learning it. The Federation might learn this lesson from John Mitchell. It would be valuable.

-------------------------------------------------

Indications at this time are that Joseph G. Cannon of Illinois will be the next Speaker of the house of representatives. This means that those elements which want existing conditions as to tariff and the trusts left about as they are are destined to be in control. This does not augur well for the president's policy. However, the president himself continues personally popular. Personally he appears to be more popular than his policies. It is probably true that the country is with him in the policies which he desires to carry out, but the great trust interests are very lukewarm or opposed to him. Under these circumstances the country need expect but little from the coming session of congress, or probably rom the new congress.