Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-06
Railroad Brotherhoods Must Explain

THOSE railroad employees who have re-
fused the offer of the railroads to arbi-
tratc their differences and are now voting on
the strike question will have to explain very
clearly the reasons for their action before
they can hope to enlist public sympathy. Up
to this time, Il large element Of the public
has been favorably inclined to the brother
hoods involved in the present dispute both
because OF the hazardous nature OF their en-
ployment and because Of the conservatism
that once marked their dealings, but even
that element has now been alienated by the
imperious stand taken by their leaders
AS has been explained. the controversy be-
tween the railroads and tho brotherhoods
represented is based OH questions OF wage and
working -day hours. After prolonged confer
ences. during which proposals and counter
proposals were made. the railroads and the
brothcrhoods came to the parting of the ways
They found it impossible to agree. the
brotherhoods standing ont beyond the posi-
bility OF compromise, for the wage and the
hours demanded. while the railroads con-
tended that justice to stockholders and the
public alike prohibited the granting OF the
demands made
AT this point, with singular fairness. the
railroads offered to submit the issues to the
Judgment Of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. or to arbitrate them in accordance
with the provisions of the Newlands act,
Federal law which contemplates arbitration
when strike is threatened" Both these
solutions have been rejected by the
brotherhoods and the public wants to know
why.
So far as is clear, the brotherhoods assign
their refusal to accept the Judgment Of the
Interstate Commerce Commission to the fact
that the commission has power to regu-
late wages and hence could not enforce its
findings. This, Of course, is true, but II the
Interstate Commerce Commission, or any
other body, or individual, is agreed on as an
arbitrator. the terms OF the arbitration agree
mcnt will be sufficient to make its decision
binding on both parties In rejecting the
suggestion that the NewlandS act be invoked
the brotheThoods say strike is not threat
cned, and will not be until il is ordered by
vote That answer is not an answer. either
at law or in common sense
For two reasons the Interstate Commerce
Commission is better qualified to settle the
controversy than any other agency that could
be suggested. In the first place its expert
ence, statistical information and general
grasp or the transportation question fully
equip it to understand the points at issue
and to render decision that will Justly har-
monte the demands Of the men and the re-
sources of the railroads And in the second
place, the Interstate Commerce Commission
is the body to which. eventually, the railroads
must appeal in order TO meet the increased
burden OF transportation cost that will result
IL the demands of the brotherhoods are sus-
tanned.
1t has been long time since railroads
were run as strictly private enterprises.
cars ago the Federal and State governments
began TO understand that the public was
party to railroad management. and years ago
the Commodore Vanderbilt "public-be-
damned" school died out. The railroads
realize this. 1t is time now for the railroad
brotherhoods to realize IT,