Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 101, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1917 — THE STRIKE MENACE [ARTICLE]

THE STRIKE MENACE

The railroad brotherhoods may or. may not be justified in their claims for a wage raise and (reformation of conditions, of service. But they hre certainly not justified in their method of enforcing their claims. They repudiated ar bitration. They have refused the aid of the federal board of conciliation, which organized labor was chiefly instrumental in establishing. They have threatened congress, and now they are repeating the threat against the fore the courts have had ity to place an interpretation on the law the brotherhoods forced upon* the statute hooks. This is a course of action which challenges the honor and safety of the whole nation and the challenge "should bo accepted. It is announced that “in case of war’’ the brotherhoods will nos interfere with the necessary movement- of trains. But we are now in preparation for war or ought to be and the notion that a general railroad strike at such a time will not weaken our powers of. effective action is absurd. The’ pretended patriotism of the brotherhoods’ assurance is worthless. In peace or war or preparation for war their conduct has been ruthless and perilous to the public welfare, and to quote ‘Mr. Wilson’s words with more sincerity and earnestness than he seems to ‘have clothed thegi in, the situation ought never to be permitted again. It ought not to have been permitted last summer. It ought not to be permitted now. A railroad strike at this time would be disaster, but not so great a disaster as the establishment of a precedent for the repudiation of arbitration and the coercion of the nation! Employes of a public service of basic necessity to the life of the nation are public) servants as much as the soldier .nr policeman or fireman is. The right collectively to quit this service and therefore force private demands by threatening to quit collectively ought not to be recognized by law. It ought to be expressly denied by the law. It •is perfectly possible to create a means of fairly adjudicating any claims of such employes and of conserving their rights and interests. But most certainly if the American public has any regard for its own prosperity and security it will not permit these public servants to mak4 use of their position to force claims regardless of their justice or propriety. ? The present threat should be faced courageously and with regard for the future. And the next congress, as soon as it convenes .in special* session, Should enact appropriate legislation in defense of the public’s interests. The last session included this acute problem among the several which it shirked. The public Should demand that the next congress do its duty by the railroad situation. —Chicago Tribune. .