The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1911-08-16
THE DIES MONIES DECISION.

ne LED "OsN60 DISsS'~'''
The city of Des Moines seems to
have pointed the way not only as to
the commission form OF government
but as to the means OF bringing It's
labor troubles to a speedy end. II
the decision of Judge DeGraIf is not
based upon good law, it is to be regret
ted. The injunction to prevent men
from striking has been used before
but to use an injunction to compel q
company to proceed with its public
function and to employ men whether
it wishes to or not is startling limo
walton. Newspaper readers are tamil
lar with recent happenings at Des
MOines. A street car conductor was
accused by an inspector with the theft
of two fares. The conductor denied
the charge and disproyed 1t by wit
nesses. In the wordy alteration
which took place, the conductor used
insubordinate and unbecoming Ian
guage. The company discharged the
conductor, first on the ground OF theft,
and later we understand, this charge
was abandoned and he was dismissed
on account of unbecoming conduct.
The union claimed that their articles
of agreement with the company pro-
yided for arbitration and while they
did not entirely eXonerate the conduct
or. they asked that his case be- arb
trated. The company refused and inn
ported a large number of strikebreak-
ers. A strike was voted by the union
and there were turbulent scenes OF
mob violence when attempt was made
to run the cars with nOn-union men.
1t is evident that the sympathies OF
the people of. Des Moines and OF the
Des Moines police were with the striE-
ers for there seems to have been little
attempt to preserve order, save to IN
timidate the strike breakers and to
hurry them out of the city. In the
meantime, an Injunction was sought
on behalf of the city OF Des MONIES
to compel the employees to go back
to their work and to compel the car
company to give them employment
and operate it's lines. A temporary
Injunction was granted and the street
car service was resumed with the
union men at work. The city will at
tempt to have the injunction made
permanent and the company will at
tempt to have the injunction dis
solved. Attorneys for the company
declare that the court has set very
dangerous precedent, that 1t is an un-
warranted interference to compel the
company to employ men whom it has
reason to believe are unfit. They also
point out that this injunction can be
worked both ways and that men may
be forced to continue work under I'M
Just conditions. If the decision Of
Judge DeGraff is not good law j;
should be- There should be some way
in which public service corporations
and their employees can be compelled
not to allow public interests to suffer
on account of their individual griev
ances.
This week has witnessed the great
est triumph of modern diplomacy in
the signing of arbitration treaties be-
tween this country and Great Britain
and between this country and France.
If the great nations of the world can
afford to arbitrate all their disputes,
most certainly the street car company
of Des Moines and it's employees can
afford to arbitrate their disputes. If
they have not the brains or the fair
ness to see this for themselves there
should be some power lodged in the
courts to compel them to do so. 1t is
sincerely to be hoped that the reign
of reason will soon succeed the reign
of violence which has prevailed in Des
Moines.