The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-17
LIKE U. S. REVOLT
Is Hand of National Enemy
Back of Rail Tieup!
Opposed by Patriotic Sentiment
Turnout NatiOn-Pres. Calvin.

omaha. Ncb.. March 17.-Pres f.
e. Calvin. of the Union Pacific ran
road, has issued the following state
ment:
..In connection with the threat OF
.yeneral railroad strike at TINS lll.le,
the question arises, is some poWeI
sbrewder and more astute than tle
brotherhood leaders, back OF the pi,1n
TO precipitate a transportation tle,uP
at this time and esta bllsh III t .iIs
country a condition, when 70 tlie
minds of our enemies m Europe iiIaN
seem like a revolt against our soNe
ment2 III. 7-1is,,,
Is our hearty sympathy with t-llsha
Lee chairman of the national Gomez
ence committee of the railways, Win zen
he calls attention to the fact that the
serious international situation shouiu
cause every citzer 20 put every
thought of personal right Or desire
second to his duty 10 his country
Worth Many Battles To Enemy
.Tn a letter addressed to President
Wilson some days ago, the Drolher-
hood leaders gave asst ma Ietl,I II.
case of war, they would renuer every
rossfble assistance to the government
.'Thev have overlooked the fact that
in many ways n railroad Strlke III Inns
country would be worth more 10 our
enemies than the winning of many
battles. for It would paralyZe and stag
nate all our resources; and even II
the strike be called off. should war De
declared, the strike tie-up would nave
resulted in such a congestion OF 1FelSht
in the terminals and on the sldlllgs
that weeks and probably months would
be required TO get this congestion
cleaned I'D before the railroads would
be in normal running condition again.
This would mean that the movement
of troops would be seriously interfered
e,r,ff Of con
supplies and munitions so seriously IN
terrupted as to give our enemies ire
mcndous advantage
Menace To Defense Plans.
"A day or two ago, an officer OF our
navy said: A tieup of the railroads
for even two days would be serious
blow to the national welfare at this
critical time. We must keep the fleet
fully coaled and equipped with other
supplies
Moreover. we are using construc-
ton work in the navy and a two days
tieup of transportation of the ma
terials urgently needed might mean
a two months delay in the emergency
work we have undertaken.
The rank and file of the railroad
brotherhoods have waited ten weeks
for the decision of the United States
supreme court as to the constitution
ality of the Adamson law, a decision
WhlCn may pc nued GOWN almost
any day.
In accordance with our agreement
at that time, the Union Pacific with
the other railroads of the country has
kept separate time records since Jan
uary /, scrupulously recording the in
creased pay that would be due to their
employees in case the Adamson law is
upheld.
Further, the strike vote taken by
the men was for specific time and
purpose and in the minds of many of
the brotherhood men to make use of
the strike vote taken last summer to
call strike at this time would be
Illegal
When we are on the verge of a de-
cision respecting the legality of the
AdamsOn la " and when we stand face
to face with the probability of a war
which will tax all our energy, it seems
to me that in speaking of the plans of
the brotherhood leaders to tie up the
transportations industry of the coun-
try, the people are justified in using
a stronger term than ill advised
ITO me, it seems incredible that the
rank and file of brotherhood members
would respond to a strike call which
must have the universal condemnation
of the patriotic citizens of this coun-
try.
It is impossible to believe that the
brotherhood leaders who have hereto
fore shown real general ship will lead
those who trust in them upon such
FOOLS Grand"