The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-08-15
BETTER ASSURANCE NEEDED.

of the labor leaders, uttered in his address to Congress
appears be bearing fruit Having in mind the covert
threats of general strike of railroad workmen if the
demands of the brotherhoods not conceded promptly
the President said:
believe, too, that the more extreme leaders of
organized labor will presently yield to sober second
thought and, like the great Of their associates
think and act like true Americans. They will see
that strikes undertaken this critical time,
tain to make matters worse, better-worse for
them and everybody else.
In formal statement to the public, signed by the
chiefs of the broherhoods and of the affiliated organza
tons of railroad employees assurance that they
have thought of using violence threats to force the
enactment of the Sims bill Their attitude is unequvoca
ly stated on this proposition as follows:
To prevent any misunderstanding as to the policy
of the organized railroad employees, unite in
definite assertion that we have desire, and have
had none, to impress upon the public by violence or
by threat proposal that the railroads be ma
tionaized under "tripartite control"
That leaves no doubt on the question. 1t MEANS if il
anything that should Congress refuse to enact the
Sims bill into law the railroad will not strike
any form of threat or violence to impress their views
upon the public.
However, the statement specifically points out that there
are two separate and distinct proposals from the railroad
men now pending before the government. One is the
Sims bill, upon which given above and
the other the demand that the cost of living be reduced
at the railroad be granted increased wages
Upon this latter proposal the brotherhoods and their a
organizations do not give the unequivoca state
ment that they do upon the Sims BILL They say:
If Congress and the President cannot meet This
quest, it is still living question: and shall rave
to try to find snother solution.
That statement certainly is subject to the construction
Of implied threat of general strke especially in
view of what has been said before After the country
has been roed that if the demand for wage increase
relief from high prices is not forthcoming by October
l. the brothercoods will be obliged to "appy the protec-
tive features Of their organizations" and after al! the
talk of revolution" and Threatening conditions" that
has been heard at the hearings before the House
mttee on interstate and foreign commerce. is it
able construe the statement that the railroad sha
nave to try TO ma another solution as unreal OF
strike?
For the good of the country for the purpose of pro-
noting understanding and allayng alarm the brother
hoods should make the definite statement of policy
with respect to their wage demand they have the
Sims bill. If their policy contempates strike in the
event that the desired relief cannot be given them within
the time limit they have specified the country should
know it in order that it may be prepared If, as it is to
be hoped the railroad men propose rest their demands
upon justice and reason and have intention of resort
ing violence and threats to enforce them it will be
very helpful to the nation to know that fact
"There must be no threats" said the President That
sentiment is echoed by the great of American cit
zens all of them struggling with the problems which
Cypress the railroad wormen. Absolute frankness and
proper consideration for the rights of all should chara
terze the negotiations upon this subject.