The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-09-12
CATASTROPHE FADES
COUNTRY|S BELIEF
RAILROAD SITUATION is
FRAUGHT WITH DANGER;
NO VISIBLE ESCAPE.

WASH lNGTON-That national
catastrophe is threatened, regardless
of whether the president grants or
denies the demands of the railway
brotherhoods for increased pay, is the
assertion of the Republican, publicity
association in statement given ou:
at its Washington headquarters
through its president, Hon Jonathan
Bourne, Jr., reading as follows:
"Tn dealing with the demands of the
railway brotherhoods for an increase
in pay it will be Mr.. Wilson who
makes the decision. Director General
Hines is but an agent of the president,
the law federalizing the roads having
placedd all authority in the hands of
the executive In a matter of such
supreme importance any action that
Mr.. Hines may take will have first re-
ceived the specific approval Of the
president. That was the course pur-
sued in dealing with the demands of
the shopmen, who asked for much
smaller increases than the brother
hoods. The ultimatum presented by
the latter is still pending for action.
Many Millions Increase.
"The flat increase of pay asked for
by the brotherhoods amounts to $780,
100000 which is increased to approx
mately $1,000, 100000 when overtime
pay is included. That amount is about
one hundred per cent of all previous
increases granted since the rails have
been under federal control. Tremend-
Gus increases in both passenger and
freight rates have failed to meet the
labor demands already agreed to, and
money paid into the treasury by the
people in the shape of exorbitant taxes
has had to be drawn upon to meet the
deficit. IF we have had to resort to
such extremes to satisfy the demands
of the brotherhoods up to the present
time, what is the country to do when
those demands are doubled?
"The president may surrender to
the employees and grant what they
ask. If SO the money must be raised
by increased taxes or an increase in
rates. The sum is so enormous that
either method would be Immediately
felt by the people. The cost of living
would go up to unprecedented heights
with bound. and the sufferings of the
public would be increased many fold.
Already strained to the breaking ooint
by the extravagances of the war, a
crash would be inevitable the moment
II was realized that peace brought
only big additions to the popular bur
dent.
Outlook Dark.
The other alternative for Mr.. Will
son is to deny the increases, as he
did in the case of the shopmen. Tho
country has threat hanging over il
that If the employees are not given
the raise asa temporary relief gen
eral strike viii be called. If such q
catastrophe should materialize the re-
suits to the country would be quite as
disastrous as in the first instance.
Whatever course Mr.. Wilson de-
cides upon he may bring industrial
and social chaos upon the country.
Many people feel it was his constar+
trucking to the repeated demands of
the railroad employees that has en-
boldened them to present their present
revolutionary ultimatum. When tho
upheaval comes it will be upon his
head that popular condemnation will
fall Now that the tide has starred
against him it will not stop until the
nationwide indignation at his extrava-
gances, usurpations. and autocratic
acknowledgement of national affairs has
run its course. He may be fortunate
indeed If he escapes impeachment at
the hands of the peoples representa-
tives in congress"