Omaha daily bee., 1918-12-11
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Another View of the Strike.

Omaha, Dec. 9.-To the Editor of
The Bee: To the lay mind it would
seem that the affairs of labor and
municipal government are becoming
badly muddled in Omaha.
With our commission form Of gov
eminent there is seemingly neither
a head nor tail to order or to BUSH
ness. The behavior of the commits
sioners reminds one of the boastings
and quarrelings of a gang of school
boys. One says he knows where
and who CANDLES, another seems to
know about bootlegging; another
says that he will prosecute law Of
tenders, and they that know declare
they won't tell. Another has the
park hobby and wants \the park
commissioner job, but he that has
1t says, no, he won't let him. Yet
another is riding the municipal own
ership hobby, mostly alone.
Now II this isn't child's play, 1t
sure isn't the dignified actions of
men. Why cannot these men. sup
posed to be good and true, elected
by the people to act as the govern
ing body for Greater Omaha, get to-
gether, become of sober mien and
act like men on the job and of credit
to the fair name Of Omaha?
Our commissioners should be big
enough, so bound in unity Of action
and breadth of mind, that they
would inspire the confidence of both
capital and labor. Then, perhaps
we common people would not be suf-
fering the inconvenience occasioned
by our present street car strike.
Would anybody, after reading and
viewing the comedy actions of our
commissioners, have the faith and
trust to go to them for a settlement
of their differences? Hardly, for
they seemingly cannot even settle
their own.
AS to the street car strike situa-
ton, after reading the statements
and speeches and noting the action
Of all parties prominently concerned
in the matter, the majority of the
common people are becoming OF
the opinion that Mr.. Wattles has the
making Of an ideal corporation mas
ter within him. One only has to
read his statements to find the IA
miliar terms so oft expressed by the
defenders Of downtrodden capital
They even have the tune of the diplo.
matte innocence protesting, lofty
assuring messages. so prevalent just
before the armistice was signed.
To the lay mind it would seem all
difficulties c0uld be ironed out II the
contending forces had confidence ir
cath other, but seemingly "forbear-
ance and patience has ceased to be
virtue" with the employees. Con-
fidences have been broken, common
trust has been misplaced, so it is
now up to the higher powers thai
be big enough. and broad enough
to command the trust and confidence
Of both parties.
We are sorry our city govern
ment failed to qualify, but hope the
war board, headed by Mr.. Taft and
Manley. will bring all issues to a
head satisfactory to all concerned
We think they will, for Mr.. Taft is
on record of declaring that capital
and organized labor must get to-
gether.
But upon second thought, il the
street car company is going into re-
ownership, as Mr.. Wattles declares
perhaps this would be the best end
ing, for perhaps the street cars will
be obsolete in a few years. All
things may be possible, and, if so
why not consider a better system of
transportation? Perhaps an organ
lied omnibus and motor truck COM
pany, covering certain routes on
schedules, will be the future rapid
transit. The city could be better
served. as practically every buSness