The Washington herald., 1918-05-31
RELIES ON men
OF ALL ROADS,
WARNS M'ADOO
Director General Writes La.
Dor Bodies Strikes Would
Help Kaiser.

Director General McAdoo last
night addressed a communication
to the six heads of labor organiza-
tions having jurisdiction over the
machinists. boilermakers and other
branches Of organized labor en-
ployed in railroad shops, pointing
out the meaning and possible con-
quences of strikes or walkouts OF
railroad employees during the war.
The statement reads in part:
The strike Of certain shopmen
and machinists. in the railroad
shops at Alexandria, Va. has Great
ed a very painful impression on the
public mind. / cannot believe that
these men know what they were
doing. They are all employees now
of the United States government.
They are not employees of any rail-
road corporation.
Therefore, this was a strike
against the government Of the Unit
ed States 1t is the first time in the
history of our government that any
of the employees have attempted a
strike against their government.
Such action is increSlle. For the
good of our beloved country and
for the honor Of railroad men In
the service everywhere, I hope that
there will be no repetition of what
everyone must condemn as unpa-
triotic in the highest degree.
Cannot Coerce Government.
The government cannot OF
course be coerced or intimidated by
any of its employees. 1t is anxious
to do Justice to all and will do JUS
tice to all as far as 1t is possible to
measure justice. Recognizing that
there are probable inequalities in
the recommendations Of the wage
Commission, which should be I'M
partially considered and dealt with.
appointed in my general order
No. 81. dated May %. board OF
railroad wages and working condl-
tions, composed of three represen-
tative labor men and three repre-
sentative railroad men. whose duty
it is to hear and to pass upon all
petitions and complaints.
Every class of employees or parts
OF classes of employees who feel
that they have just ground for
complaint under the wage decision
should submit their cases prompt
ly to this board. and they will be
given just and impartial considera-
ton. The American people have
just been called upon to pay large
ly increased freight and passenger
rates for the purpose of paying in
part the increased wages amount
ing to more than 100000. 900
awarded to railroad employees.
What Would Happens
Suppose they should strike
against the government because
they do not feel that they are fair
" treated in being forced to pay
these increases for the benefit OF
railroad labor; what would hap
pen to our country?
Suppose that railroad officers
should strike because they dislike
the order of the government and
should refuse to obey them: what
would happen to them?
Suppose the railroad employees
should strike aaginst the decision Of
their government and hamper the op-
erations of the railroads at a time
when transportation Is essential to
protect the hundreds of thousands Of
American boys now fighting on the
battlefields of Europe to save the
lives and property and liberty of rail-
road employees serving here at home
what would happen to our country
The Kaiser would probably get It.
We cannot all get exactly what we
want in this world, nor can we win
this war unless each and every citi-
zen is willing to submit to the lads
of the land and to the decisions Of
those in authority.
. ''I earnestly hope that from one end
Of this great land to the other it may
never be said again that any railroad
man. officer or employe. was so u1-
patriotic as to strike against his own
government when it is in the midst o.
the most perilous war of all history.
It Is the highest duty of patriotic
men to remain at their posts with the
railroads. where they are so urgently
needed. and to rely upon the board
of railroad wages and working con-
ditions and. the director general fcr
the just consideration Of their claims
I am sure that I can count upon you
to Immediately urge upon your men
by wire the wisdom and patriotism OF
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