The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1919-08-29
STRIKE
AGAIN THREATENS
TO TIE UP COUNTRY

fered the shopmen six per cent in
crease in wages, dating back to May 1.
The indications through the leaders
are that It will be rejected. They de-
mand 81 to 40 per cent increase
1t is said a strike may take place
September 2. A new vote is being ta-
ken.
II the strike should occur, public
sentiment will probably force Con-
gress to enact laws that will put an
end to railroad strikes. The limit has
been reached, and no abuse of power
that makes all the people suffer can
continue in the face of an aroused
public sentiment. Unions may be pow
erful, but they are helpless before the
will of all the people, and they will
surely destroy themselves when they
misuse their power by stopping busi-
ness Of the whole people.
President Wilson has issued state
ment on the subject from which we
take the following
1.-THE railroad shopmen have de-
manded large increase in wages. They
are receiving So, G3 and 68 cents an
hour. They demand So cents an hour.
"The substantial argument which the
shopmen urge is the serious increase
| in the cost of living. This is a potent
argument indeed.
But the fact is that the cost of liv-
ing certainly has reached its peak, and
probably will be lowered by the ef-
IS which are being concerted and
carried out.
I Lower Prices Seen.
1T certainly will be lowered SO soon
as there are settled conditions of pro-
duction and of commerce, that is so
soon as the treaty of peace is ratified
and in operation, and merchants, man
ufacturers, farmers. miners all have
certain basis of calculation as to what
their business will be, and what the
conditions will be under which it must
be conducted.
"The demands of the shopmen, there
fore, and all similar demands are in
effect this:
THAT we make increases in wages,
which are likely to be permanent, in
order to meet temporary situation
which will last, nobody certainly can
tell how long, but in all probability
only for a limited time.
increases in wages, moreover. GER
tainly will result in still further in
creasing the costs of production, and,
i therefore, the cost of living, and we
only should nave 10 go tnrough tne
same process again-
ANY substantial increase of wages
in leading lines of industry at this
time utterly would crush the general
| campaign which the Government is
waging with energy, vigor and sub
stantial hope of success, to reduce
the nign cost Oh iiving'
Inortation. which necessarily would re-
suit from increases in the wages OF
railway employees would Rave that ef-
feet more certainly and more immed-
lately than any other enhanced wage
costs.
"Only by keeping the cost of pro-
duction on its present level, by in.
Icreasing production. and by rigid econ
omy and saving on the part Of the peo-
pie, can we hope for large decreases
in the burdensome cost of living which
weighs us down"
/ The Director-Gene OF Railroads
J and have felt that peculiar respon'
, sibility rests upon us. because in de-
, termfning this question we are no
? ioenayhao etsS e1~~-f--N~~
} porations merely; we are determining
; the burden of taxation. which mus
: fall upon the country in general.
I'VE are acting, not for private cor
; porations, but in the name OF the GOV
ernment and the public, and must as
cess our responsibility accordingly. f,o
1t is neither wise nor feasible to tax
care Of increases in the wages OF raii
: road employees at this time py increas
carriers Earn'nss o"'e'sa'".
. 1T is impossible until peace has com
and normal conditions are restored :
= estimate what the earning capacity Q
|, the railroads will be when ordinar
conditions return. There is no certaii
basis, therefore, for calculating wha
: the increases OF freight rates shoui
be, and 1t is necessary, for the tim
being at any rate, to take care of a
increases in the wages of railway em
ployees through appropriations fror
1.-THE public treasury.
In such circumstances, II seem