The evening world., 1919-12-27
WHY AS A RIDER?
NV1lIAT good reason can be advanced by Congress
w for including any labor legislation in a railroad

Is it not fact that either of the proposed labor para
graphs is "rider,' pure and simple? Would either b.
adopted alone Are they not introduced simply for h
purpose of gaining reactionary advantage from ht
Overwhelming strength of public opinion favohng
return Of the roads under almost any conditions a.
preferable TO continued Federal operation? Is there moi
grave danger that enactment of such legislation may
complcate the proposed return with serious labor dis
turbance and perhaps general strike of railroad work
es? Is sucn prospect fair to the owners or to the
public?
Why rider? Regulation of the right to strike is
important enough to stand on its own merits.
II is true that railroad strike would entail conse
quenceS to the pub too serious to be dsregarded But
there are other industrial fields in which general teur
would be almost, if not equally, as serious. The recent
coal strike is perfect example. The strike of long
shoremen entailed serious inconvenience to the public
Cessation of work by producers of any or all of the
great basic food products would be calamtous. On the
other hand many industries could be suspended inde
nitey with no more than inconvenience TO the public
ljewelry-making as an extreme instance.
Present Federal laws are very evidently inadequate
10 deal with strikes menacing the physical or economic
life OF the Nation as a whole. The power of injunction
as exercised by Judge Anderson even when ostenSbly
accepted by the miners Officers did not stop the Goa
strike. Imprisonment of officials or even of the miners
would not produce pound of coal. Certainly it Seems
that If the Government is TO remain supreme it is nee
esSay to arrange for some general and equitable regu
ation of industrial disputes in which the public ntereS
is paramount TO tnat of either employer or employee
equally certain that such far-reachng legislation
important enough to stand on its own merits and no
As a compromise rider to a railroad bill.
| In commenting on the recent coal strike, The Eve
ming World recalled the words of President Wilson il
his message to Congress on Aug. %, 1916. In tina
message which dealt with the threatened railroad strike
among other recommendations the President made thu
following:
An amendment OF the existing Federal
statute which provides for the mediation, con-
ciliation and arbitration Of such controversies
as the present, by adding to 1t a provision that
in case the methods OF accommodation
provided for should fail a full public investi-
cation Of the merits Of every such dispute shall
be instituted and completed before a strike
or lockout may lawfully be attempted
In the face of an impending election, Congress re
fused this recommendation but passed the Adamso
law, which has proved anything but a satisfactory SO
d
such as the President here outlined did not meet wit
the approval of the brotherhood leaders, and wa
dropped because Congressional leaders were anglin
for the labor vote in the closely contested election
of 1910.
Now Congress is in rather similar position. An over
drastic restriction the right TO strike would be unus
md would not be Endorsed by public opinion An
legislation not acceptable to the brotherhoods migt
DC followed by general railroad strike. return c
he railroads under such conditions would be nation;
alamty and highly unwelcome to railroad managers.
Better by far return the roads to the managers undt
pre-war labor conditions, with which they are familiar
Once the railroads and the League of Nations al
disposed Of it will be time to consider the general abC
policy of the Nation. Strong lines of cleavage are ce
tain to develop. Let these be accepted as imporal
pankS of party platforms, as indeed they must in an
case, no matter how little the professional politician
may relish the prospect
Give the public an opportunity to express its opl
ion. Then draft not only legislation for the regulate
of railroad strikes, but general statute governing
strikes and lockoutS in which the injury to the publ
would be out of proportion to the possible gains
either party to the dispute.
At present labor provision in the ESch- Cumm
bill is ont of order II threatens 10 prevent the pasSa
Of any legislation before March /. 1t threatens furth
TO compcate with ayoidable labor troubles the peril
Of return, which will be complicated enough in al
event 1t is unfair to single out railroad workers
special group legislation which should include &C
miners and workers in other essential industries.
The whole matter is far too important to be de
with as a rider
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