Mr. Lovejoy: "Six months previous to the convention of the American Railway Union which met in Chicago, June 12, I had an understanding with the superintendent that I would get a leave of absence and was to put a man in my place while absent. When I got ready to come to Chicago, I sent a note asking for such leave of absence and transportation. The transportation was sent me, but no answer to my note was given. When I came to Chicago I called at the office of the superintendent to have an understanding about my leave and he told me that a written notice was not necessary. Whenever I wanted to go anywhere all I had to do was to put a good man in my place and go. The Tuesday following the opening of the convention the assistant superintendent went to La Salle and put another man in my place permanently. No reason has ever been given me why such action was taken." Commissioner Wright: "Mr. Lovejoy, I suppose you have given the subjects of labor troubles and strikes some study. I wish to ask if you can suggest any solution of these troubles." Mr. Lovejoy: "Yes, sir, I have and I consider the only way to solve the question is for the government to own the railroads." Commissioner Kernan: "What is your reason?" Mr. Lovejoy: "I think the employes would receive better treatment and be better satisfied. I think they would get the same kind of treatment as the postal employes and there would be no strikes under these conditions." Commissioner Kernan: "What do you think of arbitration as a remedy?" Mr. Lovejoy: "I have never seen arbitration tried to any great extent and while I believe in the principle I am not prepared to say that I am in favor of compulsory arbitration." Commissioner Wright: "If the government owned the railroads how would you avoid the changes incident to a change in administration?" Mr. Lovejoy: "I consider that railroad employes would be in practically the same position as postal clerks. They would be under civil service rules to the extent of being pensioned after a term of years of faithful service." Commissioner Kernan: "Would it not cause jealousy among other branches of workingmen if such a system should be adopted toward railroad men?" Mr. Lovejoy: "I do not think so. I am not jealous of postal clerks." Commissioner Wright: "What would you suggest as the next best thing if government ownership proved impracticable?" Mr. Lovejoy: "That the government keep hands off altogether; let the roads and their men fight out their troubles free from outside interference. It is the knowledge that the government can be called to their aid that makes many of the railroad officials so arbitrary with their men." Commissioner Kernan: "Don't you think that disputes ought to be settled by some other method than open warfare?" Mr. Lovejoy: "There would be none if the authorities would keep away. The employes would settle their grievances by arbitration."