Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-06-05
CODE Of ETHICS
FOR STRIKERS?
Is Example of London DockerS
To Be Followed by Others
in the Future?
BY q. c. FORBES.

NEW YORK, June 5.--Are the public
rights hereafter to be recognized when
strikes occur? The decision Of the Lon
don lockers and other transport workers
TO allow supplies of food TO be delivered
without molestation surely is encourag-
ing viii this example form precedent
for other classes when a stoppage Of work
occurs? WIN innocent parties be put 10
as little inconvenience as possible? VIII
contests be confined to the opposing
sides?
Public sympathy has often been for
feited in the past by failure to consider
the comfort Of those not directly involved
in .ouarrels BY scrupulously refraining
from aueht calculated to upset the pub
lie strikers viii stand A much better
chance of winning support The new
move, indeed. is most diplomatic. II at
once suggests that the workers are open
to reason. that they desire 10 act in a hui
name manner. that they do not wish TO
use the public as a club wherewith to
beat the employers into submission. Law
lessness constitutes a poor argument. II
at once predisposes people against those
resorting to II No government can af-
ford TO connive at 1t. It Immediately
places the perpetrators beyond the pale.
~
sonable way-of conducting strikes is
much better not only for the public, but,
in the long run, for the strikers them
selves.
+ But capital also has its obligations. has
II NOT? we have recently experienced
cessation of work in an important indus
try, coal The miners on the whole be-
haved with exemplary moderation. They
x1yhi pb
not even the producers could regard as
excessive But what OF the conduct of
the producers themselves? Did they also
exercise moderation? Did they shoulder
some of the burden OF the increased cost
Of doing business and of living which is
today the common lott Not for one in
slant Instead Of sharing the burden, as
they could well afford TO do. they we're
not content even with passing the whole
OF it along to the householder They
seized the occasion as an excuse to levy
fresh blood money For every additional
dollar paid out they charged the public
Ut least two dollars
Is II not the public's turn TO strike?
They have got the worst of the deal, the
: coal owners the best Of IT.
A lot is said, by way OF excuse, as to
costs OF materials. etc. having gone up.
Let US grant that a ton of anthracite can
not be placed on a car at the pit mouth
as cheaply now as ten years ago, or ive
years ago And then let us ask this ques-
ton: Have the profits OF the anthracite
combination been poor at any time within
that period? Have the producers been
pulled down to the verge of insolvency or
have they prospered? No extensive
knowledge is necessary to answer that
query The profits from the transporta-
ton and sale OF anthracite have been
enormous. Every concern identified with
the industry has made and is making
money at rate which is the envy of
nearly every other industry. If anybody
could have afforded 10 accept a share of
the general increase in costs the anthra-
cite combination could.
Some railroad managers are beginning
10 advocate some sort Of government own
ership Of our transportation companies
May II be that the anthracite people also
favor government ownership OF their en-
terprise? Certainly their action on this
occasion is the strongest plea that coul6
possibly be made for such a step. As a
start. governmental control as applied to
railroads might be extended TO the an
thracite industry Tie courts held that )
per cent was a fair profit ON gas. which
is no more a necessity than hard coal is
in New York city Would the applica-
ton Of a similar rule-allowing, Of course.
for depreciation in the value OF the mines
call for an advance or reduction in the
new scale Of prices. think you2
Such questions should not he ignored
by the coal producers II they shut their
eyes and their ears 70 them the public Is
not likely TO complacentiy do the same
BY burying its head IN the sand the os-
trieh does not thereby escape from dan
ger.