The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-01
DO RAILROAD EMPLOYEES UNDER
STAND.

STAND.
A very large part of the thousands OF
men who operate the railroads of the coun-
try are far above the average in intelli-
gence and the capacity to form correct
judgments. The nature of their employ
makes them thoughtful men, while the
responsibility which falls upon a great part
of them year after year tends to make
them watchful and careful. This being the
case, those who fully understand the bear
ings and the merits of the strike which
Mr.. Debs has sprung upon them are forced
to conclude that thousands have been
swept into it before they have had time to
calmly bring to the consideration of the
controversy the intelligence and sound
judgment which those who know them &C
age and judgment the millions unhesitat-
ingly intrust their lives
The purpose OF the strike is to punish the
Pullman company because it will not arbi-
trate a question which has no connection
with railroad management and the wages
of railroad employees The Pullman COM
pany owns the patents which give it the
control of the manufacture and disposition
OF the Pullman car. For years railroad
companies have been anxious to secure
these cars on the terms which this thrifty
has cd
All roads doing any considerable business
have been compelled to obtain Pullman or
Wagner cars Until within two years the
Pullman company has scarcely been able
to meet the demand for cars. Within
year there has beer surplus While there
was scarcity, however, the Pullman COM
pany compelled the railroads TO make con-
tracts to run their for twenty
years. These contracts were made long be-
fore the advent of the American Railway
Union, and they are in force to-day If
every Pullman car should be laid off to-day
for three months or a year the Pullman
company would receive its compensation
from the railroad companies just the same
il they were running. Therefore, while
the railroad companies are paying hire for
the cars. they ARE stored in the company's
sheds. the Pullman company saving the
cost of repairs occasioned by wear and
tear. Thus a strike inaugurated to iniure
The railroad companies with whom the
employees have no quarrel lose, the en-
ployes who strike lose their wages the
thousands of poor people who travel, as
pense, the producers who are sending their
pershabIe goods over the roads are losing.
the thousands whose employments in all
sorts of factories are interrupted by the
suspension Of transportation, the thousands
of poor people in large cities who depend
upon local trains for milk, vegetables and
the necessaries of life which must be pur-
chased from day to day must suffer cor pay
extortionate prices-in short, all are losers
by this general strike except the Pullman
company and possibly Mr.. Debs.
Moreover, has it occurred to the thou
sands of intelligent men employed by rail
roads to inquire the sources of this infali-
biity which they ascribe to Mr.. Debs? Ex-
cept in capacity to organize men and make
infammatory speeches. when has he shown
the broad judgment and the balanced intel
lgence of the great body of railway engi-
neers, conductors and the more experienced
yardmen-men who had won the confidence
of their employers years before Mr.. Debs
was known in the place Of his nativity?