The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-20
INDUSTRIAL PARALYSIS
SEEN IN 4 RAIL STRIKE.
DR.. Charles r. Van Hise, Otto M. Eidlitz and Prof. Will
lam z. Ripley Discuss the Threatened Labor Up
heaval Throughout United States.

Never in the history OF the United
States has there been a threatened
strike on all the railways of the coun-
try.
Strike hitherto have been on indi-
vidual roads. although in some cases
strikes have taken place upon a number
OF roads ut tho same time. An arbi-
%tration. involving ~ II did a concerted
movement on fifty-two railroads in the
East. ~dispelled In 1912 the trouble that
again threatens.
The dispute Of 1912 was between the
locomotive firemen and enginemen and
their Another dispute Of the
Brotherhoods Of Train Conductors and
hallway Trainmen with the railway
managers was settled by an award In
November. 1sl3-aSain preserving peace
on these fifty-two railways OF the East.
An earlier award bad been made In
April OF that year between the Brother
hood of Locomotive Ffremen and En-
gincmen and the companies. Then the
iircmen. enginemen n locomotive en-
gineers of all the railroads In the west.
ern district demanded higher wages, and
their demand was arbitrated in the
award of April 30. 1916. in Chicago.
Now foul brotherhoods-the engineers
the firemen and enginemen. conductors.
and trainmen-have united in all the
railway districts Of the United States
and Canada In a Joint demand TO enforce
the principle Of punitive overtime"
Would Dwarf All Others.
A nationwide strike in the United
States would dwarf the most monstrous
effects Of any historic labor contest.
Charles Il. Van Hise. president OF the
University OF Wisconsin, who was chair
ma Of the board OF arbitration in the
controversy between the Eastern rail
roads and tho Brotherhood " Locomo-
tive Engineers In 1912. said Of the con-
sequences Of IA possible strike on the
Eastern railroads:
An effective strike on these railroads
extending through an area that includes
all OF New England. New York. New
Jersey. Pennsylvania, Delaware, Mary
land. Ohio. Indiana, the lower peninsula
OF Michigan. much of Illinois and a
small part Of West Virginia would have
had most disastrous effects upon the
commerce and industry of this entire re.
gion. to say nothing Of its effects upon
the remainder Of the country. Indeed.
II would be difficult to eXaggerate the
tCT ouslGs VI nv
THE only requisite still lacking for
a strike. sanctioned by u vote OF 93.S
per cent. of the engineers. wa the APP
prevail Of the grand chief of the Broth
erhoOd OF Locomotive Engineers. In con-
junction with the committee having the
matter in charge. II lay within the
er of this group OF men 10 decide
whether or not a strike should take
place. II is true that the power was
not exercised and that steps were taken
which resulted in arbitration. blu the
An I~utoIerable situation.
Prom the viewpoint of the public 1t
Il an intoleRble situation when any
group OF men. whether employee or en-
p.oyers. whether large or small. has The
power to decide that a great section or
the country, AS populous as al. or
France, shall undergo great loss OF life.
unspeakable suffering and loss OF prop
erty beyond the power or description
through the stoppage OF "A necessary
public service"
Otto NJ. Eidlitz. one Of the five men,
bers OF the board OF seven who. In the
controversy OF 1912. represented the pup
lie. SAWS the seriousness OF the Crisis
now confronting the nation is appalling
Concerning the extraordinary condi-
tons nov existing in the railroad world
OF the United States. in when we ma
the four most powerful and pest or
ganized unions. the omotiV engineers
hremen. conductors and trainmen. de-
manding "A wage increase. n AT the
same time refusing arbitration. there has
arisen "A situation which IN my opinion
calls for the appointment 10y the Federal
Government of "A ation wage COM
mission 10 take testimony and render a
decision binding on both PARTIES.
The proceedings OF the 1912 coitro-
yersy answer to my mind ccncluslvely
many Of the questions thai are involved
In, this problem. They diferentiate
clearly between the labor problem In
the private enterprise and IN" same
problem in the pubic utility, and show
that VIA might be a hardship III one
case becomes "a calamity in the other.
THE Public Service Commission OF
the country regulates the railroads in
come as TO charges. a national wage
commission should regulate the outgo
AZ Ia wages.
Federal Ow nership.
ut may be that the growing intimate
relations now existing between the
public utilities and the Government will
ultimately result In Government owner
shin OF railroads. l believe. however,
that enormous cost involved TO enable
the Government to acquire the roads at
this time. as well "a the detrimental re-
suits OF the unavoidable Introduction OF
politics into the management and
operation Of our railroads, If under gov
Ornamental control. and tn" added "i'i-
cheney OF railroad operation resulting
from competing roads under private
ownership. Will initiate strongly against
any immediate change OF tho kin Of
ownership
There can be- 10 question that, due I,