Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-02

.ailways.l
| ganization is as strong as itself: TO see
| that no body of or group of men, no
| matter what their individual interest
is, may come into competition with
the authority OF society,"
In discussing the question how far
individuals may be compelled 10 re-
gard the public interest, Mr.. Wilson,
said:
america is never going to say TO any
individual. You must work whether
you want TO or not but it is privi-
sons, You must not interrupt the ma
tioral life without consulting us.
The leaders of the train organizations
assert that any restriction on their
right 10 strike means involuntary
servitude." But unless there is some
such restriction on the right to strike
pending investigation. the public will
pc permanently in a condition of inyol-
untary servitude TO these or2aniza-
TONS.
Several years ago. when we had 10
adjust a wage controversy with the
engineers ON our eastern roads, a very
disLins uished board of arbitration. in
settling our differences. pointed out the
dangers inherent in attempting TO
settle railroad industrial disputes by
resort to the strike This board said:
From the point OF view of the public
it is an intolerable situation when any
group of men. whether employees or
employers. whether large or small have
the power 10 decide that great Sec
ton OF the country shall undergo a
great loss OF life. unspeakable suffering
and loss of property beyond the power
Of description thru the stoppage of a
necessary public service. This. however.
is the situation that confronts, Hs as
nation
Those words were read to the SUI
preme c1ur. by the government at
torneys IN their argument in defense OF
the Ada mson Act. The government
quoted the opinion of that board as
part OF the argument for the power OF
congress to prevent the throttling OF
interstate commerce.
That situation so viyidly portrayed
still confronts US as a nation. 1t con-
fronted US in that crucial week in Aug :
ust when the president told the coun-
lowed to arise again" 1t will confront
lis again within a short time, If the ID
auson Act Is found invalid and the
leaders OF these organizations carry out
their threat TO use the protective fea-
ture'' 10 enforce their demands.
/ believe that the sober thought OF
the country is almost unanimous in IA
vo- of an early provision for insurance
against railroad strikes and for tu-
dicial determination of the merits OF
these controversies. SO earnest and 50
consistent champion OF the right OF
the workers as the New York World
| made vigorous comment in its editorial
columns few days ago on the STAND
taken by the brotherhoods against the
bills now before congress. | quote the
| World because 1t is known thruout
the country for its fearless independ-
ence and its long record as an advocate
OF reforms in the interest OF the work
ing people. The World" said:
What organized labor insists upon
is a continued license to maltreat,
starve and ruin the public whenever
by so doing it believes it can coerce
| its employers. What was promised Dy
| con sress w-as re. an invasion of labor $
rights. II was simply reasonable in
au.ry for the purpose Of preventing
hasty and uniformed action injurious
to all the people. and in some emer-
gencies menace to the government
itselk"
| when these wage demands we're
made on the railroads last year, and
the spokesmen for the men declared
that they would resort to general
strike rather that submit to arbitra :
| ton, we felt that, as the managers OF
these properties. we had public duty
| to perform, and that we were obliged
| to lay our case before the court OF pub
1 lie opinion.
| In statement issued TO the pubic
last summer, after the refusal OF the
organizations to submit their demands
I to any board OF inquiry, we defined
| what We believed to be the position
| we ought to take, and In every news
/ paper in the country we made TINS
/ statement:
THE railroads feel that they have no
/ right to grant a wage preferment OF
| 800, 000. 0Oe year to these employ res,
j now highly paid and constituting only
/ one fifth OF all employees, without q
clear mandate from public tribunal
that shall determine the merits OF the
case after review Of all the facts
1 The single issue before the country y
whether this controversy Is to be set
tied by an, impartial government 10 {
s...iry nysinG iust 70 :. re - -
/ we are still firm In the belieI Una:
these controversies. so vitality aneci
4 ing the national interests. must pc sci
lied BY reason and not by brute force
4 by investigation rather than by inquest
4 land that no fair settlement can bs
| made which does not take into account
4 the rights and interests of the Srea'
body Of the people served s
lie carriers. 4