Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-10-28
Brotherhoo,ls Show Signs of Retreat

HERE is encouragement in the strike
situation. IT is possible that before
these words are printed The walkOut of the
big five brothcrhoods will have been ayerted
or postponed. Leaders of the trainmcn
show signs OF retreat before the threat OF
the Railroad Labor Board that peace must
come by this morning. or it would deal with
The unions with ungloved hands" Dis
patches from Chicago early last night in
dlcatcd that the unions forced TO choose
between peace and losing battle. were on
the point OF sheathng the sword Only
future developments will Tell whether a per-
manent settlement is possible or if ii is
merely battle delayed
The controversy between the railroads
or. more properly between the Railroad
Labor Board and their organized employees,
reached its crisis yesterday. Prior to that
time the outlook had been bright with hope
OF an amicable settlement; then it darkcned
with fear approaching certainty that the
strike order would be carried into effect,
and O'Clock Sunday morning would wit
ness the inception OF the brotherhoods'
battle to disrupt the nations transportation
system, smother its commerce. clog its
wheels of industry and thereby force the
railroads and the Railroad Labor Board to
their knees in humble compliance with their
demands. Turbulence OF the brothcrhoo
the threat of Federal intervention or the
condemnation OF public sentiment would
swcrve them from their declared intention
OF measuring their streng. Ii with the rail
roads. They had asserted that no power
on earth short Of Il satisfactory settlement"
could avert walkout. settlement salts
factory to them, and ut the same time pro-
tective OF the public welfare seemed i'm
possible in light Of their open defiance of
the board charged with the negotiations
But much may happen in few hours and
developments now in the making at Chicago
will disclose whether or not the unions have
been convinced Of the suicidal nature of the
poiicy to which they had committed them
selves.
Results OF the Chicago mass-meeting en-
phaSizcd the determination of the brother
hoods at all hazards to fight against the
July reduction of wages, which at last
stands revealed as their one great strike
objective. But, while the railroads may not
be held blamelcss in the developments lead
ing up TO the present apparent impasse the
Tact remains that the hrothcrhoods have
placed themselves in an attitude OF outright
and open defiance OF the board which the
Federal government has duly equipped with
nnal powers OF settlement. Thus they have
Ehenaied every yestigc Of public sympathy
necessary to their success and are pressing
their contention from Il base that admit div
Is legally untcnablc.
The strike that impends may not be an
unmitigaicd evil. While ii threatens the
nations orderly business there are those
who believe that the issue OF how far or
rahiZcd labor can go in enforcing its de-
mands may as well be determined now as
at some future time, and in the certain
disastrous defeat that awaits the brother
m lnar
Tic is bigger than any union or combination
of unions, and that il will not quietly sub
mt In transgrcsson OF its rights which
include freedom for the transportation of
its commerce and its mails If dcfca, in
an abortive strike is necessary TO bring
the unions to such u realization and TO
contint their powers in the future TO lopi-
'imA'e ana entirely commendable channels,
then presen, dislocation OF the national
business Will no, represent Il total loss.
IN the order Of the Railroad Labo Board
declaring the strike illegal and directing Tho
hr"'h"rho"ds to call il OF, in tho firm pur-
pos" OF the Department OF Justice To pro-
c"cd through the courts. in the pretty
thoroughly understood intent of The Fed
"fai government TO keep ira flic moving for
winch there * precedent apcnty even IN
the nsc of troops, and in the logged do
termination OF the public itself TO SEQ this
ming through, there may be read a warn
lhG thal even the hrOthcrhoods NAV deem
II well 10 heed In tho brief two DAYS tbo,
/ are left 10 them for delberation before tho
zero hour
! i'udendorT. he who was once a general.