Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1919-12-26
A Rebuke From Within.

From an unexpected source comes /
high praise for the Wilson Admins |
tration, coupled with stinging re-
bukc to the Republican Congress for
its evasivc course with respect to leg
islation designed to curb organized |
labo and hold it back from encroach-
ments on the rights of the public.
With respect to the solution of the
coal strike the Spokane Spokesman
Review says: president Wilson's
cabinet meets the grave coal prob
lem with sound Judgment, construc-
tive energy and courage. 1t plays ,
no favorites."
1.-THE Spokesman-Revicw," it con-
tinues, though always n Republican
paper, must say that the Republican
majority in the House is playing
small partisan politics by refusing to
meet with like courage and straight
forward Americnnism the issue rails
ed by the radical labor elements.
The issue came squarcly before the
House in the recent vote on Con-
gessman Webstes amendment to the
railroad bill. Mr.. Webster's amend
ment carried fair and well-5alanc-
ed plan of assuring industrial JUS
tice. 1t offered way whereby the
railroad employees could carry their
grievances to an impartial Govern
ment tribunal and the railway man.
agement be compelled to meet the
awards of the tribunal That distinct
boon to organized labor carried, as IL
should carry, counter obligation on
the railway workers to accept in
good faith and spirit the Judgment of
the tribunal.
"Thp American nnonIa want tbo
squGe deal and here the square deal
was offered to all parties in interest
the railway employees, the railway
arrangements and the public. 1t has
only to be enacted into legislation
and accepted in good spirit, to put
an end to Industrial warfare in such
basic and key industrial as coal min
ing and transportation. Under it's
operation the railway workers would
get all that is due them without hav-
ing to fight for it and sacrifice for
1T by going on dcs t,uctive strikes
that jeojardize the welfare of their
families and frequently end in dis
astrous defeat and the disruption Of
their unions. 1t would and it should
estop them from getting more than
is due them through holdup methods.
but that effect would be broadly
beneficial to labor, for it is obvious
that II one labor organization takes
more than it's fair share from indus
try other classes of labor will re-
ceivc less than thei fair toll. 1t comes
down to simple problem in divi- |
SION and apportonment. rs simple
as the division of beef or a uuan-
tity Of flour or sugar among an in
terested group Of families Unfor-
tunately. however, organized labor,
under the rnwisc andrule- or-ruin
leadership of the railway brother
hoods and Mr.. Grmpcrs. opposed this
square deal solution of gigantic and
terrifying dangers. and 1.-THE Rcpub
!ican majority in the House Of Rcp
resentatives defeated It by . to j
vote. Charles l.. Hughes, former
Justice of the United States Supreme
Court and the Republican standard
beared in 1916, advocated Mr.. Webs
ter's plan for gua ranteeing indus
trial justice, and in n thoughtful,
temperate address pointed the true
course for the party, but the Rrpub-
iican majority chose to be sounded
up by the crack of MIR. G0mpcrs'
whip and to seek false and tempo
rary advantage by playing PARTISAN
| uo.ilicS. IL Went on record against
the square deal"
The Republican leadership in the
House is held by n W"sterncr. Mr..
Mondell, of Montana. 1t is all the
more significant. therefore, that the
foregoing direct rebuke to that lead
ership should emanate from n West
ern Republican newspaper of con-
siderable influence and unquestioned
standing. Those who have made the
mistake of reaching the conclusion
that the Democratic party stands no
show to win at the polls next year
will do we'll to ponder upon the sig
rificance Of this Republican rcbuke
% Republican Congress. 1t is an
Interesting straw and it seems to in
li"ote which way the political wind
a blowing in the Northwest.-Roa
noke Times.
What Did the Irishman Say?