Evening journal., 1916-07-03
THE RAILWAY TR0uBLE.
G AVS the Norfolk vrgnianPot, OF the lea
~ ing Democratic newspapers in the South

G AVS the Norfolk virginian Pilot OF the lead
~ ing Democratic newspapers in the South.
is but TO state the obvious to say that in any
troversy between labor and capital the public has
less direct interest Equally evident is 1t that
the party to any such controversy that fails to ac-
cord to the public interest the measure of considera
tion which II is Justly entitled cannot hone 10 es-
alienation Of public sympathy from it's cause and
the part which public sympathy invariably and newt
ably plays in the final outcome Of industrial disputes is
not to be lightly estimated
Just now the railroads OF great portion OF the coun.
try are at oggerheads with their employees over de-
mands OF the latter for wage increases. Conference
after conference has been held between representatives
OF the railways and representatives of the employs but
without results In composing the differences. Indeed,
the situation has reached a stage acute that the
employees have begun to vote on the question Of
whether or not their leaders shall be authorized to
declare nationwide strike. What the effects Of
such strike would be, matter how 1t might finally
eventuate, is staggering to contemplate A general
tieup Of the transportation systems of the country
would practically a general stoppage OF the
wheels of industry and commerce. Mills and factories
would have to shut down and business activity geper-
ally be brought to something approximating a stand
still Hundreds of thousands of vorlmen in varjous
industries would be thrown out Of employment say
nothing of the tens of thousands of striking railway
Agricultural products to the value of hundreds Of
millions of dollars would be left in the fields to rot,
for lack Of means to get them TO market while starva
tion would begin to stalk abroad in the big ur-
ban centres Nothing short Of the great right of
excessive wrong" would begin to Justify body Of
men in preciptatng such condition of affairs, and
not even that.
The railroads Il Is formally announced while hrm-
y declining accede to the demands of the employees
have proposed that the matters in dispute be settled
either by arbitration under the provisions Of The New
lands Act preferably by submission to the Inter
State Commerce Commission.
To the open and unbiased mind It would appear
that reference of the controversy TO the Interstate
Commission opens the surest road to adjustment
which should equtaby consult the rights and equities
Of all the interests concerned-those OF the employees
OF the railroads and OF the general public This
bunal has intimate and accumulated knowledge Of
railway conditions such is possessed by other
body in the United States BY reason Of its control
over railroad rates It determines. in way the
Of the agencies of transportation Il has full and
accurate knowledge of what the railways
earning, and 1t is in position to know whether not
Labor is getting a just and fair proportion Of those
earnings II also has the facilities for asceraining with
approximate accuracy what additional burden the rail
roads would have TO be authorized to place upon the
public should the demands OF the employees be acceded
TO, and It is best capable OF Judging whether the inn
position Of such additional burden would be
sistent with fairness and justice to the public
II isn't expressing opinion to where the merits
OF the pending controversy lie to say that the rail-
roads, in offering to submit the matter TO the Inter
state Commission and abide by its decision demon
stratng confidence in the strength of their conten
tions which cannot fail to have effect the public
mind If the faith of the employees In the reasonable
Of their demands is equally strong why should
10 tribunal whose competency to deal with the mat
ters i'm dispute is unequaed and whose dsinterested
is not open to question? This is question which
the public will naturally ask itself and the railway
employees cannot afford TO ignore the significance
which will logically attach to failure satisfactorily and
fully to answer II.
That is, in it's broad lines, appeal to human
son and one that cannot fail to make an impression
upon railway ohicials railway employees and ship
pers and travellers AS the railways have agreed TO
submit the questions in dispute between them and
tain Of their employees to impartial Federal
tribunal II Is difficult to how the employees can
afford 10 refuse to follow that lead and abide by the
Judgment OF that tribunal