The New York herald., 1921-10-22
Railway Union Evils.
Efficiency Diminished and industries
Hurt by Present Conditions.

To THE New York HERALD: I have
just written letter to the President on
the subject Of the threatened railway
strike In which say:
"The people OF the country are we'll
aware of the fact that the men belong
ing to the railroad unions who are
threatening to strike are being paid on
ar average about twice as much for
their work as skilled labor OF similar
qrality in other lines Of industry. Even
before the war railroad labor in Amer
lea was the best paid labor In the world,
and with the enormous increases In
wages under the McAdoo regime and
the bonuses of back ray the members OF
these railroad unions have become lazy.
arrogant and, what is most serio-s of
all. absolutely disloyal to tho railroads
for which they work.
"The old spirit that used to prevail
among railroad men. which used to make
them ready to work early and late to
get their trains through and to overcome
every Kind Of obstacle. has not only dis
appeared but 1t will be impossible ever
to restore It In the men who have passed
tbJOuGn the MCAucO TeSlIuc.
5 There IS. therefore. only one way to
clear up the railroad situation ana TO
restore the old efficiency in railroad
operation and the old loyalty among
railroad engineers, firemea, conductors
and brakenen. and that Is to permit the
present bonus fed, disloyal. Inefficient
men to strike. and TO give the railroad
nv,o fnr q ~, 49, e..
and to employ in their place young men.
preferably men who have had the dis
ciplne of the army and who appreciate
the necessity Of supporting each other
and their officers In order to carry their
objective.
MANY years ago I demonstrated the
fact that the wages of all labor in manu-
featuring and industry and the prices of
all farm products, as well as the values
Of all property. are dependent upon cheap
railway transportation But the railway
union men, by their inordinate and out
rageous demands and their gross neglect
and inefficiency and their refusal to
work. have so Increased the cost Of rail-
road transportation that they have
destroyed our commerce, closed our fac.
tories and mills. made farm products q
gut on local markets and brought abou,
the present unemployment.
"Thc five or six millions Of men who
are now unemployed as the result of thu
high cost of transportation demand that
the railway men belonging 70 these
unions withdraw their demands and theiI
threats to strike and accept a reduction
In wages and a new standard OF hours
that shall put them on a parity witt
other skilled labor. BY doing 80 the
cost of railway transportation will b,
so reduced that commerce will again b,
revived. the factories opened, til,
PRODUCTS OF the farms moved Mt rea
sonable costs and sold at fair pric,
In distant markets. and prosperity re
turned to our country.
IF the railway union men are no
willing to work the same number O.
hours that other men work and accep,
q similar standard OF. wages, let then
strike and their places will be filed b,
some OF the millions who are now out o,
employment because Of the outrageousl,
high wages and short hours enjoyed b,
the railway union men,"
Cur NJ. WALKER.
New YoRk, October ri.