The Detroit times., 1917-11-06
Uncle Sans Railroads
In Fine Trim and Mood
For a Railway War

country, engaged, 70 INSPIRE "i'4
as an example for all Of as.
Then. we have the Stacker.
The Stacker is bound 70 develop in all
wars and IN .al countries.
II ne is actuated by cowardice, ne Is
an individual 20 despise and '--tiy be-
comes subject Of puoiic.contempt
We disposed 70 deal with the con-
scientious objector more leniently There
is universal respect Tor the man who
subscribe 70 principle that causes him
70 look upon war as thing his country
ought 10 feel itself above whose opinion
Is q response TO humanitarian instincts
Yet. we must expect from the con-
scientious objector consideration for
countrv-for his country at war. no mat
ter what he may think Of war Itself
and such consideration that VIII place
him in the forefront Of his country de-
tenders in some one or more Of the
various ways there are in which 70 serve
the flag that DO not call for taking up
ARM; ways that permit him TO heip 70
make war less terrible; ways that VIII
hasten peace.
Be it said to the glory Of the country,
that the great majority Of its consclen-
tious directors have fallen into line, in
those capacities which permit them 70
serve. and are participating fully up 70
the point of their conscientious scruples
in the fight for the great cause Of democ-
racy and liberty for all peoples.
The same cannot be said Of certain
of our industries, many Of which have,
not the ground Of conscientious objec-
ton to plead in defense Of a position
which as distinctly brands them slack
err" as does cowardice the white-hvered
citizen who would desert his country al
this time.
In the face Of the present crisis, we
have Stacker industries which Go not
sense that profits Iulust be sacrificed as
their bit, or, sens9g, have failed 70 EN-
LIST, but continue their efforts TO capt.
talize the blood and the lives Of those
who are now in the trenches, and the
tears Of women weeping for them.
To this class Of industry in our coun-
try there are notable exceptions, from
which we gain our inspiration and which
we may take as our example in keeping
our own loyalty and patriotism in the
right place
We would like to call attention to one
exception in particular and that excep-
ton the railroads Of the United States,
in so doing TO raise for them the cheers
and the cries Of Bravo" to which they
are entitled.
Gen Joffre has characterized this a
railway war"
He has also said that the battle Of
the Marine was won by the railways Of
France"
This pretty well establishes the i'm
portance of the railroads to the success
of the United States in the present con-
fiict. and permits US 70 give full credit
to the railroads for the sacrifice with
which they are so periodically shoulder
ing their part Of the burden.
~ IS NEEAitHc W " Llllo AtAdA AllA
enumerate the many points at which
the railway becomes so great neces-
sity and so important in war, because
the extent TO which We are dependent
upon it is apparent once one gives the
matter his thought
Suffice 10 say. The American railroad
has in every department and in the dis
charge Of It's every obligation, proven its
efficiency and superiority, and our atten-
tion is called to It as an institution that |
perhaps we have failed to appreciate and
which we may have denied just recogni- /
tion as a factor In the development Of our
country 20 Che point that permits as To-
face our part In the world war and look
into the future with SO much assurance.
We are left to wonder as We contem-
plate the vast numbers of men il has
been necessary TO transport hither and
thither in the mobilization of our army
and navy and reflect that tius has been
done without a SINGLE SERIOUS MIS-
HAP; WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST
INTERRUPTION AND WITHOUT A
COMPLAINT FROM ANY SOURCE.