n by either trade unions or
capital.

While yielding to the wage findings of the board, P.H. Morrissey
vigorously dissented from the principle of the supremacy of public
interest in these matters. He made clear his position in an
able minority report: "I wish to emphasize my dissent from that
recommendation of the board which in its effect virtually means
compulsory arbitration for the railroads and their employees. Regardless
of any probable constitutional prohibition which might operate against
its being adopted, it is wholly impracticable. The progress towards the
settlement of disputes between the railways and their employees without
recourse to industrial warfare has been marked. There is nothing under
present conditions to prevent its continuance. We will never be perfect,
but even so, it will be immeasurably better than it will be under
conditions such as the board proposes."

The significance of these words was brought out four years later when
the united railway brotherhoods made their famous coup in Congress.
For the time being, however, the public with its usual self-assurance
thought the railway employee question was solved, though the findings
were for one year only. *

* The award dated back to May 1, 1912, and was valid only
one year from that date.

Daniel Willard speaking for the railroads, said: "My acceptance of the
award as a whole does not signify my approval of all the findings in
detail. It is intended, however, to indicate clearly that, although the
award is not such as the railroads had hoped for, nor is it such as they
felt would be justified by a full consideration of all the facts, yet
having decided to submit this case to arbitration and having been given
ample opportunity to present the facts and arguments in support of their
position, they now accept without question the conclusion which was
reached by the board appointed to pass upon the matter at issue."

A comparison of these statements shows how the balance of power had
shifted, since the days when railway policies reigned supreme, from the
corporation to the union. The change was amply demonstrated by the next
grand entrance of the railway brotherhoods upon the public stage. After
his victory in the Western territory, Chief Stone remarked: "Most labor
troubles are the result of one of two things, misrepresentation or
misunderstanding. Unfortunately, negotiations are sometimes entrusted
to men who were never