The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-03
The Ounce of Prevention.

All the accounts 1 have seen agree
that the great railroad and steamship
strikes in Great Britain were settled
not SO much by the government as by
the overwhelming pressure OF bust
ness and public opinion. The moral
coercion" was too potent to be re.
sisted by either side There are those
who believe that in England general
strikes or lockouts in the field OF
transportation and food distribution
are henceforth impossible. as the
third party" the great public, Will
not tolerate them. II voluntary ar
bitration or mediation should fail
lament at the peremptory dictation
OF the nation.
The St Louis GlobeDemocrat finds
in this connection hint we'll worth
consideration in this country, and that
hint is that ~ is better and easier to
prevent a threatened strike than to
cure or stop one after 1t gets start
ed. True II is thai conditions In the
United States as to food supply are
not as delicate and critical as they are
in Great Britain. but railroad strikes.
II at all general" spell serious hard
ship, loss. paralysis OF local business
even win us. Their effect on Indus
try and trade at large Is, OF course,
highly detrimental. while their moral
and social consequences are in every
way deplorable.
rs not even here" asks the Globe.
Democrat prevention of strikes
better than the cure?" and then 1t re.
views the good work recently done
along this line by the business men
of Memphis. The several commercial
organizations OF that city that have
taken action toward averting rup-
ture between the Illinois Central sys-
tenn and its employees have the right
Idea of the situation. Expressing no
opinion on this or that demand or is
sue in the controversy, these business
bodie appeal to reason and enlight-
ened self-interest. as well as to tn
principle of social welfare. and see K
TO bring about Cancellation and al
justment before. not after. any part
ing of the ways. Impartial adjust
mcnt means the abandonment of OBJ
viously irrational or impossible claims
II means common sense and peace with
Justice
Richmond and other Virginia cities
are rarely ever disturbed by strikes
Employers and employees get along
smoothly here. and there is not a
threat or n prospect OF any serious
clashes between capital and labor, but
now and then there are minor con
troversies of ono Kind and another
AIihl are CdIculated 10 Involve CONNER
cial disturbance and considerable loss
this apparently interminable dock ma t.
ter. for instance. The commercial or
CARNATIONS Of Richmond may we'll take
hint from Memphis. keep their sen
| tinels In the watch towers to scent
dangers that may be ahead. to the
| end that time may be taken by the
| torelock and the ounce Of proven
ton used that pounds may not be ex-
pended In curing troubles that affect
| commercial and Industrial interests
Hint for Tx Law Experts.
The Virginia officials who have been
making study OF the tax question
FOR the information and guidance OF
the next Legislature may get some
valuable hints and suggestions from
New York That State used TO impose
regular taxes on all bonds and securi-
ties held by i;a citizens whether the
! bonds were issued by institutions and
| Industries in or out OF tho state. /.
was easy enough for the average New