The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-24
Lsbor's Arrogation Of Power.

Next Saturday marks the limit Of
time the railway unions have allowed
to the railroads to answer their de-
nand for n substantial increase OF
wages in the guisc Of Il shorter work
day. The alternative IL n general
strike on all the railroads Of the
country. ever though the formalities
10 providing for a strike are as yet
held in allegiance.
Under the critical circumstances
Of foreign affairs, II is quite likely
that from Washington In the next
few days an official appeal may be
addressed to the patriotism Of the
railway unions and railway manage
ments to adjust the controversy with
out the hazard to the public safety
and public interest that would he
rlsked in II general suspension Of the
transportation service. The pOssibil.
ity Of such an appeal serves to Illus
trate the danger Of the right and
power organized labor arrogutcs in
the case of the country's %transpOrta-
ton system.
The Financial Chronicle argues with
force that the generality OF the de-
mand delivered to the railroads de-
serves especially to he resisted what
eve may he thought of the explicit
claim for increased pay. Whether it
Is necessary and desirable that sew
eral Of the railroads, acting by them
selves, should refuse to treat with
the unions on the basis Of the country
wide demand, the generality of the
demand constitutes an even greater
menace than is offered by the pros
pect of additions to the financial
burdens of the carriers. The feature
which distinguishes this controversy
from all Its predecessors Is the fact
that an essential Of the union demand
= that the railroads shall collectively
take up the questions Of the length
~ the railroad working day and
eempensation for 1t and deal with the
unions on a collective basis. In the
Background, supporting this conten-
t1on, is the threat Of a national rail
yoad strike.
So far it has not appeared that the
railway arrangements have prepared
b oppose the unions on this point of
real danger. Yet 1t cannot he con
tended that traffic and other railroad
conditions. especially financial condi.
lions, are the same at any one time
or at all times or in all sections.
Valid ground offers here for refusal
by the railroads to treat with the
unions on II countrywide basis; but
the public should be able to see In
the illustration afforded by the pres
ent crisis in the nations foreign nj.
fairs that the highest public interest
should compel II challenge of labor's
arrogance on tn" issues raised.
We have become accustomed tn the
humiliation of the carriers and 1t
probably does not seem extraordinary
that the railway manngements should
have failed from the beginning of this
controversy In oppose labor'S demand
because Of its generality. But It is
not many years since 1t would have
been untlIinkuble that the railroads
would hrsiinte "A day to return "A
prompt refusal To enter into any M.
iionwid" agreement, involving all sys-
tens. with their prculiaritie> and re-.
qulrements, in an observance of com. |
mon terms Of employment, Hardly |
before t"-'lny would It have occurred
to the railway unions 10 propose such
an arrangement.
Can there be any doubt that this
change must he attributed to the !
years Of increasing coercion to which
the railroads have been subjected by
political power which has nt the same
time avoided the responsibility for It's
acts! Can there be my doubt that |
he result Of this avoidance Of re-.
Sponsibility Is manifest in the prob.
ability that railway labor win nov
acquire, by default Of opposition, an
implied right to declare IA genera,