Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-11
This Is No Time for a Strike

THERE Is no present disposition to question
/ the loyalty Of striking workmen at the
local plant Of the American Locomotive Com
pany, but they must have believed their
grievances to be very great, else they would
not have thrown themselves open to the pos
sibility OF such q suspicion. Organized labor
entered into agreement with the govern
ment not to strike for the duration Of the
war and the War Labor Board, OF which
former President Taft is the chairman, was
Entrusted with the task OF composing differ
encos between employers and employees with
strict justice to both So far as is now
known, no appeal to this board has been
made, and no serious step toward 4 peaceful
set tlement was taken prior to tho time when
tools were laid down and $50 union black
smiths quit their jobs. AS result, work
In the plant will be hampered at time when
every minute counts. unless there is speedy
end to the difficulty, and it is conceivable
that delay in filling up the vacant places will
stop the manufacture OF engines, SO vital to
the nations war needs.
While officials Of the company and repre-
sentatives OF the strikers retcent, the
walkout comes surprise to those who
have been in touch with affairs at the plant.
For several months organizers have been a:
work among the men--the shop heretofore
having been "open and on the streets and
wherever labor gathers the probability Of
strike has been freely discussed. Back Of all
the gossip Of unionization and strike has been
the more or less open discomfort with wages,
coupled with the threat that the men would
demand scale equivalent TO that paid for
work Of similar character in other cities, and
In conformity with increased living costs
Right OF the men to affiliate themselves
with labor unions is not questioned The
Federal authorities have recognized that
right, and have specifically said that in the
future collective bargaining would take pre-
cedence over the individual contract 1t is
also said that other plants OF the Locomotive
Company are highly unionized Neither is
there intent to question the right OF these
men to demand higher wages if the scale
under which they are employed has not
kept pace with their rising expenses and with
the scale in force for such work elsewhere
They are standing on their inaienable right.
freely recognized by the Federal government
and by all fair-minded persons. Their labor
is their own, and they cannot and should not
be denied permission 10 sell it to their best
advantage.
On the face OF what is known, however or
eanized labors solemn agreement with the
government should have precluded a walkout
except 1t be as desperate last resort agaiust
unbearable conditions, and there is no evil
dence that such conditions do exist Neither
- ttS.N e'iuC.!Nc VI All! grievance that would
JUSTLY any nasty and arbitrary action
Let II be hoped that both sides to the con-
troversy will look upon il with a sane. pa
iriouc view and with eye single to what
a nation at war expects OF lis loyal servants.
II any real grievance exists. there is no rea
son 10 believe that the company will not be
giad TO adjust IL In & manner satisfactory to
It's Workmen il the company's policy cannot
be reconc!led with that OF its employees. let
the differences be placed before the War
Labor Board and both abide loyally by the re-
sun Just as thousands OF others have done
~ Is no time for strike or controversies
OF any Eind between capital ana labor. = II is
NEe Tor work, harmonious and incessant.
ana neither side can hope 10 gain any good or
isslins enc ~ pushing its Own wishes TO a
so"pie,e determination While the country is
demanding service