The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-12-29
Monday, December 20, 1919.
THE "INHERENT RIGHT TO STRIKE"

s The antrsrfkc clause in the bills now pending before Congress is the pr"
cnl non, Of division between the House, nd he Scnatc.a ant the leaders or the
railway unions as vel as the American Federation Of Labor have served notice
"S' 'E "'"a :" "Ts %n sa%S. $780,, ,nn rsnt to strike is inherent, md
,nv LEGISLATION taking way that right would create industrial slavery. The con-
'""o0 e""F" s"1 ". ".n., ~ 49, american people, ,nd mus b.
dtons
to tn needs OF society?
nan walking aons n streets nay claim that he las an inherent right
to walk ahead in a straight line directly to hsd destination, and h has such a
rsh, 50 rons as its exercise does not intrferc, with the rights Of others ut If
very mar in a crowded street insised on walking in a srotshs line regard
less OF Obstacles ant of thsp presence of others. there would be nc progress and
"ndNss disorder would be TIT result me nh" ." On 80. ~ r.t no,.
ahead must be subordlnated to thu rights II oher Individuals nd Ill must MAKE
,oncesaons to reach a practical system by which all can &C orward
One hundred and nifty years ao.w when the Zane brothers were The only white
cupant of this section II he oio valley one OF hes hardy pioneers chose
he was within his rights as h understood them. because there was one to D.
~ ccl and mono to mjure. Bus should a citizen Of Wheeling attempt inc sme
,mns now he would be under arrest as soon as a policeman could reach h"m
because tn exercise Of such a RICH under present O"u'O" """ - ,%.n
t., the lives Of many people. In the growing complexities OF society men QUO"
zach other al many different anges md at many different points Sd inc NOR
numerous tn points OF contact the more 1t becomes necessary W "
ordinate individual privileges and individual interests to the S00d 0' the S'A'
majority.
n mr. .r,, cities there are millions Of people who depend for hefood which
kcrs them ayeu pom tn regular operation OF railroad trains, Let TIT trains
which supply rc city of New York be stopped for f"ty-eisht hours Inc q
srat part Of 'he business Of tbs ehT w0"a De s"'""~F" 80 no.1o
nr could not reach thirp places OF work. he food for millions OF people
would not be brought in children would starvef for lack OF milk and adults SuneF
from the need OF every necessary ot "" l' SFau' " m -s.
mot only essential to the lives Of the people II our cities ot AIS 10 '0 "ouS
Try of ,s whole people. seoPDase If freight trains in al" industrial. seu"n INC
the Ohio valley would. in the courSeo IF > week. oHnS 'de"'SS' Nv " "
thousand mon od If tbs stoppase should be continued for a month tn material
toss would b. beyond computation
Have my set OF men he right arbirariy % create" such a sNtsooh'
yY.r men acccp, employment in an essential industry Whch Is necessary
c. -. ucrr.o of millions Of people. isn't there a moral oHsan0" mo
shouldn't there b. q legal obligation upon mem I" prevent "
for s,orpusc Of THAI industry:
vy,, :. hmd lin ,rmv - principle between fIrhddhns the po"ce"en :"
.. =. ..r,. mad f.. urn ;A, great city over to pckpockets' thieves aa SwE
,u. and r,1rdo,n.h s ma to- strike. operating the railroads and supplying soS
tan u,h rml f., keep it from tceMng and food to keep it rom starving;
Could ro!,cm,n in the midst O a riot Wen called u" " lace "O ~
Y,Norr orlrr stop to strike for higher age:
,,,tJ ur.uca. facing IL great onna&rauon threatening 10 destroy inc 0'
$500. and tho homes Of many people. STOP to strike fol- shorter hours or
for different working conditions" .
~, ,o, j., urtbinEable an essentially here is 10 difference IN the import
uo - no ssryrc rendered by the policemen nd TIT hrmen Inc 's "p0'""
~, sryfcc cndcrcdb by M railroad employees Both are necessary " ""e"
WV orr,,zrd Both must be continued regularly ao e'"CN"''' =
. ,rho- AS, means infinite disaster and continue soppaso means
,. ,mr run the Gisn,rGrato of organized society ant II We "0 ="
.ua sn,.,v if Nc arc to have towns IN cities nj great industries organ
,t so,ty must have the power to protect itself ma 10 insure "s N""
,rers,,n Of tho activities hat are necessary to rs Ill" -.
rho rmcIrgcnccr believes that We have seen The last. IN ms country :"
". ,-,ood.+ on M, par, OF the government or the Americana people to
ro arbitrary demands Of airy set Of men who happen 70 control "S 0P'FaH'"" "
49,. ntm,r;oI rvspnation one Adamson bill has been enough for America
. ear hn forced through tn House IF congress under tn hi md
Tho rondinr railroad bills i'm to protect The public against "
m,.n mo, vho own railroads ant men who work n railroads wv to the
Tho pobie must hvea right to insist upOn continuou service OF these
,uu..a, ,-r,ntzauons and through the railroad legislation which on
ru. r sbou, to pass the recognition II the public interest higher and moro
-, .,, .i,nor tc interest OF the railroad owner or the railroad worker
must be written.