Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-13
THE LABOR VOTE" A MYTH

To the Editor Of the EpeninD Ledger:
Sir--All of the opposition papers ana
few Democratic journals criticize Mr. VIII
sons craven surrender to the railroad
brotherhoods as a bid for the labor vote.
The opposition is, of course. more severe.
but to the man up a tree II does SAVIOR OF
peanut politics in that II stultifies the Ad-
ministration as none of its earlier plumbers
has done The writer wonders II the
EVENING LEDGER can AFFORD space for
little story OF the labor vote" that un-
known quantity which is so elusive that 1t
really seems that II Is not
In 1910 there was a street car strike In
Columbus o. Wages were not very large,
but there was a sort of profit-sharing ar
rangement whereby the faithful employe
averaged from $l2 to $50 bonus each
month"; the street railway company sup
piled the men with their uniforms, work.
ing conditions were fair and everybody was
happy until a labor leader came along
organized the men and started trouble The
strike lasted but brief time and ended
BY the company conceding most OF the de-
nands of the men, though absolutely re-
fusing to recognize the union. None OF the
ancient privileges was withdrawn. though
naturally Increased wages Impaired profits
and the bonuses shrank and Columbus
waited couple of years for reduction
Of fares which the company was pledged
10 whenever their profits reached a certain
| figure.
Everybody was happy once again until
the carmen, Inspired by those trouble
| breeders who style themselves labor lead
| ers. demanded that the company require all
The men 10 wear the union button on their
coats while on duty The company re-
| fused and another strike was called II
lasted but few days That is, while II
| never was called off. the cars ran on sched-
ule and a stranger in the town would not
know that there was a strike. At last the
| labor leaders. Messrs. Mahon and Pratt
waited on tho Governor to request that he
/ compel the company TO arbitrate. Right
| ohio As. as every One knows, normally Re
| n,,hIiean by some 10000, but In 1908 II
elected hudson c, Harmon, a Democrat, al
Governor by about 14oc0 majority.
A Rubernatorial election was approaching
and Harmon was again candidate on th'
| Danocratic ticket IN Republican Ohio. IL,
eourteously informed his visitors that ther,
was no law on the statute books which
would empow er him 10 compel the parties
to any dispute 10 arbtrate. whereupon tn,
labor leaders tGod save the marlO demand
| ed that he call a special session OF the Leg
,s,ature and have such a law enacted
what would you have done. Mr.. Wilson?
| Mr Harmon declined 10 consider the pro
nosai saying. IN substance. that he woul,
not put the taxpayers OF Ohio to approx
mateiy 100000 expense TO settle famill
quarrel
election day was but a few weeks Of
and Messrs. Mahon and Pratt threatene
Inc Governor with the labor vote His ia
eeliency replied TO the effect that he woul
perform his duty as he saw II without ref
erence TO the possible or probable effec
upon his chance for' reelection and tn
emissaries OF organized labor left vowin
10 "Ret even at ths polls"
Now mark the sequel Republican Obi
re elected IT'S Democratic Governor. judBo
@. Harmon. BY 10000 majority Tw
questions rise In the writer's mind. Ffrs