Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1903-05-20
HoME PREFERRED To oRDER.

FROM the StFlkcrbg anu IN our mum
BILE way sought to draw from 1t with
out partially or prejudice, anything
suggested which would change our
view that the strike on the Mobile and
Ohio Railroad was preclpitated inju
diciously and without adequate res-
sons for such a gigantic move. While
the circular is signed by no individual
nor individualizes any one against
whom the grievances are charged, it
shows upon its face, on the part Of the
writer, whoever he may have been,
In u humble judgment, an attempt
to deceive further If possible the inno-
cent men who have been induced to
leave 3 lucrative position and go on a
strike against men with whom they
have worked for years in a most har-
monious manner.
This strike Is q serious matter, not
so much for the railroad involved, nor
the patrons Of that railroad, for SER
vice is being rapidly restored and q
normal condition Of operation is as
sured at q very early date, but upon
the men who have been deprived of
the excellent positions they have held
for years. That 1t has not been the
result OF the deliberations Of the men
themselves is manifest, since the en-
tire management Of the strike and d.
rections of its issues are solely in the
hands Of officers of the organizations
who have never been connected with
the service on the road involved. The
"Grand Mogul" Of the Conductors,
who sits in luxury at Meridian and is
sues orders and sends out the kind OF
circulars which We have just read, is
not employed by any railroad, but
lives on the fat of the land, by oflc-
iating for those who toll In season and
out Of season as their duties require.
1t is very easy for this gentleman to
say to fifteen hundred men to quit
their work. 1t is also easy for the
men to obey and quit ; but it is not as
easy to recover from the act, as many
Of the men will find out.
There are several phases of the sit
uation, which 1t will be we'll for every
striker to consider carefully, and this
paper does not hesitate to discuss
them, no matter what construction
may be placed upon it for so doing.
In the beginning, we desire to say
our sympathies are always with those
who must earn their bread by the
sweat Of the brow. We are not the
organ of any railroad or other COM
pany, and have never received a cent
directly or indirectly from any such
source. Nor is anything we may say
dictated or suggested by any one con-
nected with the railroad. Our sole
mission is, If possible, to treat the is
sue intelligently, and il we can, in the
slightest degree, assist any msn who
has a family dependent upon him, to
see the proper course for him to per-
sue, at a time like the present, when
the ties Of fraternsl obligations are
standing between him and his duty to
his loved ones, then we shall be con-
tent to bear any censure that may
come upon US from hot-headed disrup-
tionists, who prefer hunting trouble
for themselves and others to Loyalty
performing the duties they seek and
are well paid to perform.
First, organization is essential among
laboring men as well as In every other
walk of life. But 1t may be stated in
the start that no organization is entit-
led to be revered which is abused to
the extent that 1t win damage instead
of benefit its membership. In other
words, when the indiscrete manage
ment of q labor organization brings
SORROW and woe to lite membership,
instead of happiness and assistance,
it is time for the sensible member to
dissolve his relations Herewith and
look after himself and those depend
ent upon him.
In the present situation, it must be
apparent to every man who is not
blinded by bis own prejudices or i'm
aginary wrongs, that to follow the
mad dictates Of those who are direct
ing the actions Of the so-Called stFik-
ere, means the permanent loss Of the
situation heretofore in his possession.
II this be true, then where is the
benefit to be derived from 3 further
alliance with such an order? The
public Il not benefited, but inconven-
fenced, the great railroad cannot be
benefited and impressed to be more
liberal with its future employees,
through any vicious action on the part
OF those It hes always striven to re-
cogniEs as 3 part Of its great system.
On the contrary, it Is . certainty
thatthe railroad viii be here an hum
dred years hence, when ell the pres.
emit contestants have passed the way