Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1903-05-13

tors breakmen and yard switchmen
working on the line Of the Mobile &
Ohio Railroad all laid down their
places and quit work. The strike, as
It lie called, was ordered by the conduc-
tors and breakmen's organizations or
unions because of differences existing
between the management of the road
and the operators on q demand for in
crease In wages, and demands also
made for the changing of certain rules
under which the men have been work
ing in the past. These demands are
set forth in a statement made over
the signatures OF the General Mana
ger and the General Counsel Of the
railroad company, published else
where in this issue.
The railroad company insists that 1t
has been willing at all times to treat
with their employees on the question Of
salaries but declines to permit it's en-
ployes to suggest what schedule Of
rules shall govern its operations. As to
the merits of the controversy, perhaps
no outsider is in as good position to pass
Judgment as are the parties to the
contest. Hence this paper does not
feel disposed to enter into a discussion
of the merits or dement's on either
side.
Everybody is sorry to see these
strikes occur, and naturally when
they do, they become ripe subjects
for discussion. Coolheaded people
have long commended that the pTinci-
pie Of & strike lie wrong at all times,
yet it sometimes appears to be the
only recourse left for those contend
ing for that which they believe to be
their rights in the premises, and
hence both sides Of this position has
advocates and defenders.
But, from the broadcast possible
standpoint, It has long been q can lid
opinion that q strike cannot result
otherwise than most detrimental to
those directly affected in it, those who
throw away their positions merely
because an orgaiEation to which they
belong, happens to have for It's on
GERS and directors men who seem
bent upon bringing about a strike, or
forcing those for whom they sre
working to yield to their every de-
mand. On this principle, 1t can do no
harm to make q few suggestions, for
the better we understand such issues,
the more intelligent we viii always be
in their solution.
In the lrst place, men who work for
wages, usually accept their situations
through their own solicitations, sell
dom being asked to come to the SER
vice by the operators who employ
them. Railroad companies are mere
" vast collections of capital operating
presumably for the benefit Of public
service, and ell those connected Will
the management are what may b'
termed hired men. Those holding
! the higher positions are looked to b.
their co-workers in inferior positions
as directors, as they are looked to b!
the owners Of the capital massed TO
their operation. When any one 90
Of employees becomes dissatisfied, 1t
the management which must Urea
with them not the capital. Men ar
, selected as managers on account o
their knowledge and their general ht
} ness for the duties which fall upol
them. They are supposed to trea
/ fairly all those working under them
at the same time guarding the inter
ests of the combination which entrust
it's affairs in their bands. When thos
: employed under this class Of employe
quit the service Of the company o
4 any pretext whatever, 1t becomes tn
duty of the higher branches OF th
service to eliminate all obstacles an
, proceed as best they can to maintain
ing the service in which the capit'
invested and the general public is in
! terested.
! Next, it may be observed that sue
great lines Of commerce as the Mobil
and Ohio or any other railroad, 10
: that matter, is expected by the genel
: al public to render the service IL
: which it is chartered and capitalize'
at all hazards. In others words, tn
J people who desire to ride upon Il
: trains or secure the transportation
o freight over the line, are not directl
o interested in any little difference
which may arise between the oficia
of the road and their under employe
What the general public is direct
interested in lie the service the
pay for and want to secure prompt
o and safely. Plainly, it is the bushes