Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-19
Shifting Public Symuuthy

DRESIDENT WILSON'S efforts to avert the
unreasonable calamity OF Il nation wide
railroad strike appear to be blocked at least
temporarily, and this time the representatives
OF the railroads. rather than the representa-
tiveS OF the trainmen. adopt the reculcitraut
attitude The railroad heads seem disposed
10 yield nothing. save as the result of arbi
tration. They are making grave mistake
heretofore. because the position OF the
railroads appeared more reasonable and CON
ciliatory than that OF the men. the railroads
have had public sympathy The mon were
stubborn. Standing fatty on their demand
for an eight-hour day and time and a half
for overtime. they would not bulge an inch.
They would not consider arbitration in any
form OF any part OF their demands. The
railroads Willingness to arbitrate, even
though accompanied by the condition that
arbitration include advantages the men have
long enjoyed seemed fairer to the public
than the employees snug iusistence they
were wholly right and must have every ounce
Of their pound OF flesh.
But the advantage shifts. Under the spur
Of the Presidents urging, the men prepare
70 yield something. but the railroads seem
unwilling TO yield anything. II this situa-
tion continues. public sympathy will find an
other resting place.
The cight-hour day has been adopted as the
government standard and by many States
and municipalities. |, has become incor-
pOrarcd in many OF the principal industries
of the country. There is nothing revolu-
tionary about IL III the form that its ac-
ceptance is urged by the President on the
railroads. ii is merely standard Overtime.
which is contemplated. is not penalized 1t
is by no means certain there cannot be reduc-
lions III the schedules OF many freight trains
which will corrospondingly reduce the guam
lily OF overtime and the compensation OF
employees
OF course, the concession the railroads are
asked TO make Is material one. but so. from
the mems standpoint, would be their abandon
ment Of their demand for punitive overtime
There has been change in the last decade
in iho attitude OF employer and employees
toward arbitration. Ten years ago it was
tho employee who demanded arbitration and
the employer who either refused fatty or
consented with reluctance When the en-
ployer spoke frankly he said his opposition
TO the plan was based on his experience that
arbitration always cost him something It's
result. he meant-and this was the fact
was always compromise. Each side had to
concedc something TO the other
That experience would not be negat;ved in
the present controversy. If arbitration were
adopted. II IS likely the arbtrators would
decide the equities of the case approximately
IN terms of the Presidents proposition Al
any rate. u is unlikely either side would get
all il asked.
The railroads should consent. they should
give the plan approved by President Wilson,
after numerous conferences with the Board
Of Mediation and Cancellation and other ey
pcrts fair trial.
That plan contemplate fun Investigation
II al the points at issue. Ii he inves,iga-
ton reveals thc railroads canuc, nav the in
creased wages without !mpairiug their hnan-
r.a! stability. y Is incoHceiyablc the American
plol-c Will shrink from providing amplcr