Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1916-08-18
LIFE AND PEACE.

In New York City there are almost
million babies who would surely die.
the doctors say, If their daily supply
of milk were cut off by complete
tie-up of railroad traffic.
The stored supply would be ex-
hausted within IS hours, and unless
replenished by the use of motor-cars
and wagons, the babies would soon be
starving in vast numbers.
The people of the United States will
never tolerate any strike situation
that would starve million babies,
stifle our industrial life and cause
widespread suffering, in the midst of
n worldwide crisis.
Eugene V. Debs, the revolutionist,
caused general strike in 1894 Presi-
dent Cleveland used the regular army
under Major-GeneraI Nelson a. Miles
TO stop violence and keep the trains
running. Scores of strikers were shot
in the streets OF Chicago and hun
dreds of cars were burned. Injunc.
tons were issued by the courts and
defied by the strikers. The President
read the riot act" and placed soldiers
on every engine and car, TO maintain
the train service. Intellectually. Mr.
Debs was put in Jail
The railroad workers are better or
ganized now, but so also is the gov
eminent
The railroad presidents would do
well, indeed, TO settle this controversy
at the White House today. 1t would
also be we'll for the unions to adopt
policy of compromise, for the people
Will never tolerate n repetition of the
murderous situation of 1894.
Should insanity suddenly seize upon
the railroad presidents and their men,
and general strike call be issued. the
army would be on the Job before the
expiration of the 48 hours notice.
Such tie-up will never be permitted.
1t would be a revolution, and there is
no cause for It, The great mass of the
people are opposed TO IL and the quick
er both sides recognize il the better il
will be for them.
The people are strongly in favor of
organized labor, and will solidly sun.
port every effort to maintain its rights
and obtain better wages and condl.
tons by the peaceful methods Of edu.
cation, arbitration and legislation. but
they are just as solidly opposed to
industrial war which might transform
f,,ta
destroy prosperity and halt progress
The railroad workers are as patriotic
as any other class. They recognize
the rank and file--the foollshness of a
general strike. They know they are
poorly led, and they recognize the fact
that time is near for general re.
vision of the policy of organized labor
Meanwhile, such men as Debs. Bill
Haywood, Meyer and the dynamiter
class in general, are bowling their
heads off for tie-up. They want war,
and In Gods good time they are going
to get It.
When the mighty States of the
South, with their magnificent armies
OF trained heroes. and cause which
they deemed righteous. failed TO win
a general strike" by the methods OF
force, It were foolish and hairbraincd
for the labor unions of the country Ia
attempt TO gain their demands b,
similar methods.
AS predicted By this newspaper sey
eral days ago, this movement has q
deep and important meaning. II IS
the immediate forerunner of the gov
ernment ownership of the railroads
and the telegraph--the entire system
OF transportation and communication
The men making the demands orc
100000 in number. The employees af
fected number about two millions
The dependents directly affected mum
Der about eight millions Railroad.
involved, 225. Mileage Of railroads
2572l1. Stockholders. G26122. Cant
tai stock of railroads. Ss63s, 2SG. 1872
Receipts for April last, $3.50, 9s7, ESQ
Expenses for April. $1S9,92 .4G5
Amount the roads say the demand,
would cost, 100 millions annually. The
cost as estimated by the men, % mil
lions. Investments In the railroads
approximate. u billion dollars.
Probable cost of a general strike
Involving the whole union movement
-incalculablo.
Analysis OF those figures and OF tho
probabilities will show that II would
DO economical aud wise for tho gov
eminent to take over tn, railroads
and maintain them forever II would
be the best thing, industrlally that
ever happened 20 this country.
Besides extending the railroad ser.
vice to every part Of the country, the
government would build continental
system of motoroar bouIcyardg. rho
telegraph and telephone service woula
be at once vastly developed and Inn.
proved Conditions Of employment
. would be iikewlse improved Indus.