The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1916-09-21
THE LESSON OF THE STRIKE

There is a lesson in the proposed
great railroad strike which it would be
well for us as a nation to learn, and to
profit by.
Probably a very small part of the
membership of the brotherhoods, when
they voted on the proposition to strike,
had ever given serious thought to the
far reaching effects Of their action
should it come to an actual walkout.
The same can be said Of the citizen
ship of the country at large. Strikes
had been of so frequent occurrence dur
ing the past half century, and the bust
ness of the country had suffered such
small checks therefrom, that we had
been luIled into false sense of securi-
ty.
In the great crisis, which has been
for time averted, however, the coun-
try has at last been awakened to the
enormous power Of organized labor.
But even now we would not be fully
alive to this great power had it not
been threatening the very life of the
nation.
Few of the masses of the people had
ever realized how fully were the rail
roads the arteries through which cours-
ed the commercial life blood Of the ma
ton. Not until we were threatened
with stoppage of that life giving
stream did we awaken to the dire peril
which such action portended. Only
within the past few weeks have we be
gun to appreciate the extent of the
want, the suffering, the colossal losses
that must have inevitably resulted had
the strike materialized.
But now that we are at last awake
to the real significance of the situation
that confronts us, we should profit by
our knowledge. We should see to it at
once that no similar peril is ever again
permitted to threaten us.
We must recognize the fact that th'
railroads are an absolute necessity t.
national life; that it is now mora
and patriotic duty incumbent not onl.
upon the managers, but upon the EN-
ployes as well, to keep the roads in OF
Grafton.
Yes, we all know about the rights o
labor, and of that proud boast that W
are all freeborn American citizens. Blu
when a small per cent of the people
either as managers or as operatives, hav
reached the point when the life of tn
nation is absolutely at their mercy
then that small per cent ceases to b
free in the full sense Of the word. The
are bound to a higher duty than Sc
interest. They are in bondage to tt
great cause Of universal humanit
They have made themselves absOlute
necessary to their fellows and are NJ
free to follow their own inclination
They have become part OF the m
chinerv that moves a nation, and mu
bear the responsibilities that accompol
the position.
We must realize that for the railro;
man to quit his post (unless a comp
tent substitute is at hand to assume !
duties) is just as reprehensible as VI
lation of train orders and fraught wi
as great peril to the public safet
The railroader must be brought to S
that he owes Il sacred duty to his ecu
try, not even second to that of the S
der. The soldier guards our home a
our honor; the rairoader guards 9
very life. He should not destroy II
which he guards.
united nation should insist Il
these men who thus bear the burdt
of our comfort, prosperity and safe
shall be fairly dealt with. The tho
ands of men who daily and hourly
pose their lives to the perils of the ia
that we may prosper and live in co
fort should have the full weight of {
influence and sympathy toward secl
ing a square deal. The roads should
made to feel that an injustice to tn
is an affront to the nation. And, III
wise. the employees should be made
realize that to throttle the roads is
cruelty the nation which everyS hon
American loves.
Can this be done without governm'
action, Possibly not. But if such
ton should be necessary, then the so
err it comes the better. Another 81
period of tension and uncertainty "
work untold harm to the country.
1t must not come.