New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-21
A Time to Prepare

IT. is inaccurate to speak of the
railway strike as settled. There is
no settlement--merely a postpone
ment. The country has had spasm
from which it has recovered, but
there is. no cure.
Fit One was the Adamson law
capitulation. Fit Two came on last
August, and with difficulty were the
railroads restored to activity. Fit
Three-the strike which, according
to Mr.. Gompers, was not strike
but which the poor commuters
thought was one-has just been en-
dured, with the men who were out
going back on the understanding, as
they cognize, it, that they are to get
what they want from the Railroad
Labor Board.
Fit Four, if it occurs, promises to
be the real thing. A decree of trans
portation paralysis is to be issued by
the railroad ears and is to be exc
cuted unless the award of the Labor
Board suits the minority, which
thinks it has the country by the
throat and proposes to cash in" on
the fact. The word among those
dominant in railroading is that there
is to be no more fooling. Promises
will not again be accepted.
The country is thus to have a
wage increase that will give another
boost to the price of living and per-
haps start a new cycle Of wage in
creases, or there is to be a universal
palsy of business and commerce that
will bring hunger to millions and
create profound political and social
disturbances.
The government is no better
equipped to handle a crisis than in
the past. +, The Administration, ap-
parentlW has no policy except do
nothing one. 1t watched the conflict
in Europe for nearly three years
without getting ready. There is
similar unpreparedness with respect
to railway matters, although the
clouds grow blacker and more omi-
nous.
Congress, in default of the execu
tive leadership to which it is entitled
likewise does nothing. The Senate
passed bill which provided a wa!
to prevent the country being helt
up, but the House killed it and tn
Senate acquiesced
Last week there was furry il
favor of enacting an anti-strik
measure, but Senator Cummins
chairman of the Senate interstat
Commerce Committee, abandoned tn
project after visit to the Whit
House. 1t is Presidential year. l
the White House will not share re
sponsibility and jockeys to put tn
other side in a pocket, it is scarcel
10 be expected that an amorphou
body like Congress-, which lack
means to execute policy, will gs
on the firing line.
Bus what can yc done? Man
things besides the enactment Of ant
strike legislation for the few esser
tal industries. Should the Admin.
tration ask for authority to rccru
and train ain emergency railwa
force it Is almost certaia Congres
would grant it. The selling of mote
trucks by the government might we
r cease for time. IF there were tn
proper VIII ways could be found
break & railway strike, and if it wer
likely to be broken it would probabl
not be called. Advantage should b
taken Of the hall in hostiitics to re
ready
Besides getting ready, real effor
to ascertain what wage increase
should be given to the railway en-
ployees should be made. Some see,
underpaid, but how snue 10 on
knows. The statistics atc Hsuall
cooked ono way or The other and fe'
have confidence in them. It woul
help greatly, il tussle comes, 70
The public 70 &c Informed as to tn
merits OF the wage demands--gom.
thing few now speak Of.