Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-02-04
Wednesday, February 4, 1870.
Justice and truth are tho com
mon ties Of society"
A Problem Demanding Solution.

The Government is expected 10
take mea s,lres of defense against out
side enemies: II is expected to pre-
serve law ard order against internal
enemies; in 10 other way may II
maintain its Sovereignty. No one
would think Of questioning the right,
rather the duty Of the Government to
do this very thing.
In what degree ard by what meth
DDS shall those who by lockouts or
strikes put the country in peril be
uonsidered internal enemies and be
treated as such"
Some few years back capital dis
covered public sentiment and has not
been unmindful OF that discovery
single moment since. This &C
,fuaiutance is yet 10 be improved
upon but it exists and is of hardy
growth Labor, so-called. though rep
resenting but the organized mere
fraction of the actual labor in the
country, is not yet awake to its obli-
cations to public sentiment. Indeed
public sentiment itself isn't aware of
its full responsibilities and the urgent
need of intelligent consideration of
hose duties. 1t is dema nding its
wight TO be heard but apparently
doesn't know just what TO say.
/. has been demonstrated that a
comparatively few railroad employees
may by striking deprive millions OF
people of their means Of livelihood.
In that event OF course they become
active enemies to the welfare Of the
country. in some respects most
threatening Of internal enemies.
Congress has been looked to for
some provision 20 safeguard the
country. The House passed a meas
IRE which is an evasion Of the real
ssue At stake, namely the sovereign
~ Of the country: the Senate, on the
other hand attempted 70 meet the is
sure by provision 10 prevent such a
strike. What will come out of the
conference between the two houses is
yet uncertain but much doubt exists
whether the issue will be met as
definitely as conditions seem to de-
nand.
There u in session at Washington
= what Is termed a National Industrial
Conference and this question is
thrusting itself On the attention Of
hat body. Along with the various
solutions suggested is one that is be-
ing applied in Germany by Gustav
Noske, the minister of defense He
recruited a voluntary workers de-
Tense force from the engineer troops
Districts and sub-districts have been
formed. Three groups Of workers
were organized. out of voluntary
'echnical experts and skilled and I'M
skilled lahorers. These are to be
!sed only when business CT vital i'm
portance TO public safety is attacked
or impaired by strikes. 1t appears
hat the intention is to make use of
hese only in case of wha. is termed
there political strikes.
Now IL government is 10 permit
mployes OF public utilities to strike
and cripple the service to the serious
injury of the public. a right the labor
men are insisting on and restraint of
which gives rise to numerous per-
picking problems, manifestly it is the
duty OF the Government to provide
Tor the public some other means for
protecting its life
The German plan will scarcely ap-
zeal to public sympathy, but the
ability Of the Government to call on
trained men to operate the absolute
necessities Of transportation and
communication in the event that
ocular employees desert their posts
'.ould. We feel. appeal not only to the
sympathy but the good sense of the
public. 1t seems absurd, however, to
tie forced to such measures in a time
II peace and when the families of the
sirikers themselves are dependent in
large degree on the transportation Of
food. on the means Of living that a
strike. would inevitably cripple: it is
indeed scarcely creditable to the good
sense Of our people to be driven into
such an extremity. Yet there is not
the slightest room for doubt that the
Government, II it is to retain its
sovereignty. must perform the func-
tons Of its purpose. and should and
without delay. take definite steps to
that end.