Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-13
ADJUST THE STRIKE


Nv raphers in the United States are
~ out on strike, and the likely re-
suit of their action-the sympathetic
strike of railway telegraphers, rrac-
tically certain to come If the strike
continues-will almost completely tie
up commerce.
While the trouble was confined to a
few city forces of one of the COM
panies, business could be transacted,
but with the sympathetic alliance of
10000 men of the Order of Railway
telegraphers, with over a million dol
lars in their treasury, it is possible to
tie up every line in North America and
paralyze the commerce of the con-
tinent.
The situation is so grave as to call
for some immediate means of settle
ment, for far more than the interests
of the telegraphers is at stake. In
every business Office on this hemisphere
are nerves of the great commercial
body sensitive to this unexpected
danger, and the turn given to this
strike involves many millions of dol
lars expense to innocent men who have
no part in the troubles of the warning
factions. The demand for adjustment
of these troubles is peremptory, and the
time is now!
The Herald suggests as an effective
measure the hearing of both sides be-
fore an arbitration board formed on the
lines of like tribunals in New Zealand,
where attendance at, and acceptance
Of the verdict are compulsory on both
parties. 1t is possible that both sides
have tenable positions, and that both
are working on erroneous impressions.
The heated blood of billigerents is not
equal to a sane or satisfactory discus
sion of real or fancied grievances, and
by reason of the deep interest of the
whole nation in the outcome it is but
just, as it is necessary, that both sides
submit their case to unprejudiced men
for adjudication.
1t is declared by the employees that
the company broke the Oakland agree
ment continuously every day since it
was written, and that just cause exists
for dissatisfaction on that score. The
companies declare they have cause for
resisting demands made by the men.
No man can justly determine these
questions until a full and exhaustive
hearing of both sides is had. and this
is not likely to come as voluntary
move from either side.
In the meantime millions of dollars of
loss must ensue if prompt relief is not
afforded. How can it be effected? Call
on fifteen men of international repute,
both parties selecting five each, and the
ten chosen to select the other five. Let
these men meet at some central rail-
road point Chicago preferreD and hear
and weigh all evidence, and let their
verdict be binding on all concerned.
The remarkable good behavior of the
men so far in the fight is evidence of
their determination to keep within the
law, and proof of the high level of in
telligence and breeding among them,
and it is hoped they will see the JUS
tice of some such method as is here out
lined and give ready adhesion thereto.
On the part of the companies, which are
public servants, for hire, and common
carriers, in legal sense, there can be
no refusal to meet so just a demand
and aid in bringing business to a normal
status.
The remarkable esprit du corps SO
signally proved as controlling the men
now out gives promise that they will |
accept any honorable method of attain
ing a solution of their grievances. |
Officials of the telegraph companies will
doubtless prefer a settlement by arbi- |
tration to an unsatisfactory conclusion |
of the struggle such as starving the |
out and re-employing |
them as sullen and dissatisfied men or
to the demands of their |
former employees. Try the arbitration |
method and let commerce be resumed.