The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1916-08-12
POSSIBILITY OF GENERAL RAILWAY
STRIKE REGARDED WITH GRAV-
EST CONCERN
Would Mean Complete Paralysis of In
dustrial Life-Many Large Cities Would
be Cut off from Food Supply Hope of
Meditation Held Out

Notwithstanding the TACT that there is
considerable hope that a nationwide
strike on the steam railways of the
country will be averted by arbitration,
under federal auspices, the situation is
regarded with the gravest concern by
editorial writer's
On August 4, the Commerce Committee
of the United States senate tabled the
Newlands resolution directing an imme-
diate investigation of the railway contro-
versy. This action was Immediately con-
demned by the newspapers of the country
as a preposterous evasion of response
bility. The demand was made that full,
thorough, non-political inquiry into the
situation be made
On August Z, it was reported from
of Mediation and Cancellation, with the
approval of President Wilson, was pre-
pairing to offer it's services to adjust the
controversy.
Representatives Of the railroad mems
unions again met in New York City on
August s, encouraged by the most over
whelming vote favoring strike ever
taken by the four big brotherhoods, rang
ing from IS per cent by the conductors,
to 81 per cent by the trainmen and 98.3
per cent by the fremen The total Of the
engineers vote had not at that time, been
compiled. At the same time, William L.
Of tho tod If
Mediation and Cancellation, arrived, and
was Joined by number Of other members
of the board.
1t has been constantly reported that the
trainmen brotherhoods oppose arbitra-
ton. However, Grand Chief Ashton B.
Garretson, Of the Order of Railway Con-
ductors, is reported to have said that
mediation had not been offered from any
official source, and that "no sane man
would refuse mediation.
The railway employees are demanding a
basic eight-hour-day, and time -and-one-
half pay for overtime work.
Railway managers emphasize their point
that to grant the demands will mean $780,
100000 additional cost yearly to their
business.
W. S. Stone, president Of the Brother
hood Of Locomotive Engineers, is reported
to have said:
F'The 148 railroads Of this country are
controlled by sixty-fve directors. They
in turn are under the dominance Of six
teen banks, and these sixteen banks are
in the hands of three Wall street interests.
These men, constituting perhaps a direct
ing group Of twelve, are all located on
one short block in Wall street.
"These men are debating the manner
Of living to 100000 employees of the rail
roads, and thereby to a certain extent
they influence the lives Of 100000 per-
sons dependent upon these railroad men.
"TheSe men have a right to an eight
hour day. They have the right of decent
living, to spend a reasonable part Of their
lives with their families"
It is claimed by editorial writer's that
general railway strike throughout the
United States would precipitate the great
est industrial crisis in the history Of the
country, and that no disaster, short of
war, could be much more serious. In fact
war with foreign nation might be less
disastrous, as, in that case, much Of the
industrial life Of the country would con-
tinue as before, while a general railway
strike would practically paralyze the bust
noes intnrnStS of the nation
An editorial in the Chicago Evening
Post says:
FThe complete paralysis Of commerce
and industry would follow within twenty
four hours. Millions of dollars would be
lost Thousands Of lives would be en-
dangered All this without even a deed
of violence or lawless act. That law
lesSness and violence would be involved
sooner or later in a labor struggle of such
dimensions is only too probable. In such
case the consequences cannot be guessed. -
1t is estimated that, within a week of
the beginning Of a strike, the plight Of
New York City would be extremely SER
ious There would be no fresh meat on
the market, and the milk supply would be
cut off almost Immediately. 1t is claimed
that New York never has supply Of -four