The sun., 1916-09-12

| compelled to work for a publ, scr,,..
corporation when he In good faith H..
sired to change his occupation and ~,
not confederating or conspiring ri,
other employees to cripple tie .cryi,
of the corporation. But Mr.. Wilson an
Congress were not confronted with an.
such question. When the trtnm,
threatened to strike II was not hcc,u.,
they wanted to stop working Tor N,
railroads. On the contrary IN. ,no,
wanted to retain their positions hr
thought that through the incal,ul,b,
loss n suffering a tieup Of an III,
railroad systems of the countr, WON'T
infict upon the public they could oN'or
from the companies, regardless Of H.,
merits Of the demand. higher nav "a.
less service.
2. 1t is not true that the Govcrrmc,.
cannot compel a mar to work in a bar
ticular capacity II the public in,crcs.
demands II. On what theory has m.
Government the right and power "a
exact from every member of society. +.
time Of war. his property. his service.
and even his life? Manifes,ly horaus.
the public veal is superior to thu, o,
the citizen and the eXigencies Of fine
country require It..
The law OF self-preservation glves I,
that right. Organized government mus,
h preserved at all hazards. cl.c M.
United. States would soon he in the do.
plorable condition Mexico is TODAY
Now. whether the ability Of tho Gov
eminent to perform its functions e
threatened from an external or in,crn,i
force can make but little difference. To
hold that the national Government Z,
powerless to prevent 1907 o tr,,,rcn
p~aralyzing and running the domestic
and foreign commerce OF this s.cl'
country IL to admit that our system OF
government is "A failure. Consequently.
when the trainmen through their rep.
resentatives refused to submit thei,
claims to arbitration before dctermln.
ing to strike they defied alike the
powers OF the Government and IN.
rights Of the public. Now what shout
be done" believe Congress should
pass "A law denouncing a strike by ON
ployees Of a public service corporaiio,
AS "A criminal conspiracy, and as sue
punishable as "a felony. II should q
the same time create a tribunal on
par in ability and dignity with n,
Supreme Court OF thu United Statcg =,
hear and determine all controvcr t..
between public service corporations an
their employees and compel both side,
to abide by the award. Suppose thi'
Mr.. Wilson when the labor leaders 70
fused to arbitrate had sent , spec
message to Congress urging the rope
OF so much of the clayton nN q,
eXempts labor organizations from y
operation OF the Sherman nnti-trusi
and the enacting OF "A statute as .,f..
mentioned. would there have ic,,
strike" I for one do not holcy, 'H,,
would. I realize fully that .n,rltc,
constitutions and wise and just Nrr
do not Of themselves secure to a pc ,
the blessings of'ciyil liberty. sue
stitutious will avail nothing X sen
and Spinelcss men are elected 10 e.
force those laws. and II tie poop.
going to shut their eyes to what a.
ganized society and citizenship 'ner
what duties they W. to society q. SO
AS what rights and protection s,eIe'
owes them. public law and pUhl. Hi
tice Will continue to be nouted arI UI.
Indignation of our institutions Of Cover
inent will surely ensue. History shov
that mankind will only learn 'hr,us
loss and suffering. and II may be tht
1t VIII require a railroad STRIKE IN q
scale sufficient to deprive Of ~co'n'or'
n inflct the pinch of HUNGER and ~,
anguish OF loss before the public wi
awake TO a realization OF it's right, a.
OF Its inherent power To cNa.' tho
rights. II. +. l.. LEwt,