Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-08-10
A Victory For Advertising.

mighty but bloOdless battle was won yesterday
by the railroads of the United States-won by the
shell and bullets of systematic publicity fired
through the advertising columns Of the mainland
press ..-..,. r
The four great brotherhoods Of railway employees,
representing 100000 men, agreed to place their dill
ferences with the railroads before federal media,
tors. - - .@...... .s-z F.
This is the point for which the railroads have
been FIGHTING Weeks ago the railroads. over the
signatures of eighteen Of the biggest railroad men
In the Cnited States, declared.
1T.he single issue before the country is whether
this controversy is to be settled by impartial gov
ernment inquiry or by industrial warfare"
When il was evident that the employees and EN-
ployers were SO wide apart that a break was almost
certainly inevitable the railroads began to put theil
case before the people through paid advertising
They did not hesitate to put this case before the PEG
pie IN the news columns, Of course, but they also
contracted for advertising space in the country't
dailies and began well-executed advertising cam
paign which is an object lesson TO corporations
everywhere.
The first advertisement was headed: "
Federal Inquiry OF Railroad St'ikes"
Under this the roads told their story. They told
Of the differences between the operators and EN-
had made demands the companies felt themselves
financially unable to meet, told how the roads hac
proposed public inquiry and arbitration and how
fhis had been refused.
Then the roads made frank, straightforward
vigorous appeal for public sentiment to come t
their aid "a question for the public to decide
they said and added:
suThe railroads feel that they have no right tt
grant q wage preferment OF $100,00O,OOO year t
these employees, now highly-paid and constituting
only oheffth OF. all the employees, acithoat a cleai
nlandate from public tribunal that shall deternain
TIC merits of the after rerieD of all the facts
Does this sound ANYTHING like the "public b.
damned attitude which many public service cor
portions few years ago appeared to follow?s
Asa matter of fact this advertising by the rail
roads n the most noteworthy development OF dc
cade in the relations between corporations, theii
employees and the public. ~
And by the way, 1t IL interesting to note that tn
railroads declared for arbitration preferably b.
the Interstate Commerce Commission"
The very body which few years ago was regard
ed AS q fad OF socialism, as an enemy of the raj
roads, Is now the tribunal to which they tarn 70
assistance against alleged unjust demands.
Corporations are learning that, after all, the pu
lie and public institutions are their best friend 4
The public may criticize sharply at times, tn
public may show an interest in business which I'll
employers regard as an intrusion private right
but il Is the public public sentiment and publ
bodies which safeguards capital from oppressis
demands BY labor just it is the public which safe
guards labor from exploitation by capital
Wh6thef the railroads win or the employees wi
IN tn settlement OF the dispute, the railroads hay
tecui1 tie victory for which they conducted thei
adveftisink campaign reference Of this dispute
apubIic tribunal