The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-09-22
THE LESSON OF THE STRIKE.


and to profit by
Probably very small per cent OF
the membership of the brotherhoods,
when they voted on the proposition
to strike, had ever given serious
thought to the far reaching effects
actual walkout. The same can be
said Of the citizenship of the country
at large. Strikes had been of so fire.
quent occurrence during the past half
century, and the business of the
country had suffered such small
checks therefrom, that we had been
lulled into false sense of security
In the great crisis. which has been
for time averted, however, the
country has at last been awakened
to the enormous power of organized
labor. But even now we would not
be fully alive to this great power had
II not been threatening the very life
of the nation.
Few Of the masses OF the people
had ever realized how fully were the
railroads the arteries through which
coursed the commercial, life blood of
the nation. Not until we were
threatened with stoppage of that
life giving stream did we awaken to
the dire peril which such action por-
tended. Only within the past few
weeks have we begun to appreciate
nf hn ha
the colossal losses that must have
inevitably resulted had the strike ma
terialized.
But now that we are at last awake
to the real sigfcance of the situation
that confronts us, we should profit by
our knowledge. We should see to it
at once that no similar peril is ever
again permitted to threaten us.
We mast recognize the fact that
the railroads are an absolute nee
essity to national life: that it is now
a moral and patriotic duty incum-
bent upon not only the managers.
but upon the employees as we'll, to
keep the roads in operation.
Yes. we know all about the rights
of labor, and OF that proud boast that
we are all free born American citi-
zens. But when a small per cent OF
the people. either as managers or as
operatives. have reached the point
when the life Of the nation is abso-
lutely at their mercy, then that
small per cent ceases to be free in
the full sense of the word. They are
bound to a higher duty than self in
terest. They are in bondage to the
great cause OF universal humanity.
They have made themselves absolute
ly necessary to their fellows and are
NOT free to follow their own inclina-
tions. They have become a part O..
the machinery that moves a nation,
and must bear the responsibilities
that accompany the position
We must realize that for the rail-
road man to quit his post (unless
competent substitute is at hand to
assume his duties) is just as repson-
sible as a violation OF train orders
and fraught with as great peril to
the public safety. The railroader
must be brought to see that he owes
sacred duty to his country, not
even second to that OF the soldier.
The soldier guards our homes and
our honor; the railroader guards our
very life. He should not destroy
that which he guards.
united nation should insist that
these men who thus bear the burdens
of our comfort. prosperity and safety
shall be fairly dealt with. The thou
sands OF men who daily and hourly
expose their lives to the perils OF the
rails that we may prosper and live in
comfort should have the full weight
lof our influence and sympathy to-
ward securing a square deal The
roads should be made to feel that an
injustice TO them is an arfront TO the
nation. And. likewise. the employees
should be made to realize that to
throttle the roads is to cruelty the
nation which every honest American
loves.
Can this be done without govern
ment action? Possibly not But il
such action should be Necessary. then
the sooner il comes the better. An
other such period of tension and un-
certainty will work untold harm to
our country.
1T MUST NOT COME,