The Washington herald., 1916-08-14
The Most Disastrous Strike.

Reports from all sections on the country agree
that in their quarrel with the railroads, the
4oo,o 900 employees who now seem on the verge
of striking are without the sympathy and sup
port OF the people. These reports would receive
little credence, perhaps, if they did not come
from most reliable sources, for it is hard to be-
lieve how the employees, who know we'll the
importance of public sentiment in their fight,
would dare to have gone so far without it. Yet,
If the declarations of the employees leaders are
not mere bluffs, the trainmen intend to strike
in the face Of public opposition if the railroads
do not surrender Internationally to all their
demands
Residents of Washington have seen several
strikes within the last few months and have wit
messed the subtle but wonderfully strong in
fluence of public sentiment in all stages of the
negotiations leading to the various settlements.
These small, local strikes have Shown that con-
sderation of the public welfare must be treated
as a factor of great importance. The public
has been found patient and willing suffer some
injury, but it demands that the injury be in
flicted only for just cause. If the cause is
not just, then the support OF the public is
alienated and the people may be expected to rise
to defense Of their rights.
The strike OF 100000 men on 225 railroads
would inflict inestimablc injury about Ioo,-
ooo,ooo persons. Can these persons be expected
to tolerate injury if they believe it is inflicted
in an unfair cause? 1t is reasonable to suppose
that if the largest and most destructive strike in
hlstory-such is immnent-is declared the
people OF this nation will turn to their govern
ment and demand halt.
The railroad employees must know this and
their knowledge in this particular probably has
been largely responsible for Withholding the
strike declaration. The question that may puzzle
some of US is: Why have the employees leaders
failed to retain the support of public opinion
The answer may be found in reviewing their
actions from the beginning OF the present quar-.
rel with the railroads
The unions themselves brought OF the con.
flct. The railroads have at no time sought q
change in conditions. The quarrel opened with
the unions demanding an cght-hour day and puni
tive overtime payments. This demand first was
made when railroads were suffering from a
business depression that covered the nation, and
to have met the demands OF the would have
meant the expenditure Of $Iooooo,oo in more
wages Such demand coming at such time
certainly was not intended to curry public
favor.
The railroads said they could not meet the
demand and asked that the matter be referred
to the Interstate Commerce Commission The
employees refused the request The railroads then
asked that the matter be arbtratcd The cnl.
ployes said no. Then the employees, through
referendum made known their determination tc
strike if their demand was not met
The parley with the railroads was renewed
and the employees again refused arbitration OF
action by the Interstate Commerce Commission
The railroads suggested Federal mediation, but
the employees declined to suggestion The rail.
roads then alone asked for Federal mediation
and the employees accepted The railroads Of
fered concessions, but they fell on deaf cars
Nationwide publicity has been given the
various steps in the negotiations and the people
have carefully watched and waited. The people
have seen clearly that the employees have not
budged an inch and have left the railroads but
one Of two choices-to surrender uncondition.
ally to the employees demand or force the nation
to face what may be the most disastrous strike
in history.