The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-10-29

But little less interesting than the
DEVELOPMENTS in the controversy be-
tween the railroad owners and the
railroad employees is the maneuver-
INK of the daily press to misinform
the public and create psychology for
the railroads says the Oregon Labor
Press of Portland.
With very few welcome excep-
tions, the daily newspapers are not
printing news articles which are
colored in the interests of the road
owners, but are adding the weight OF
editorial comment to influence the
public to put the whole blame on the
shoulders of the workers for any
possible tnconveniences occasioned.
The newspapers know that the Fail
workers are not striking solely be-
cause Of a ~ per cent reduction in
wages, yet the inference Is left in
nine out of every ten newspaper
stories published regarding the pro-
posed strike.
The interest of the public" is be-
INK held out as the paramount con-
.ideration, and from reading the gem
eral run Of editorials, the reader
would never suspect that blame could
public discontinue to anyone other
than the railroad unions.
The Brass Check journals are busy
making medicine for the railroad
owners; for nearly week the sus-
gestion has been repeated daily that
the strike Is against the public and
against the government. 1t Is craft
lily figured that another week OF the
propaganda will prepare the public
mind for a federal injunction or for
military interference-in the interest
Of the railroad owners of course.
The daily papers do not TELL their
readers that the railroad workers
have suffered not only wage reduc-
ton Of IL per cent, but have also
lost conditions which, measured in
money, brings the actual total re-
duction to 80, and in some cases 40,
per cent. They do MT tell their
readers, either in news articles or
editorials, that the trend of orders
from the railroad board is toward
adjustment Of the eight-hour day
and other decent working conditions
secured by the railroad unions by
years OF patient effort.
The Brass Check journals have al
30 suddenly become enthusiastic ad-
vocates of obeyance Of the law.
They have discovered that the threat
ened strike is violation Of orders
issued by the railroad labor. board,
which was constituted by Legislative
enactment at the request Of the rail-
roads. The Brass Check journals ev-
identity did not know Of this situation
when the Pennsylvania railroad
openly and contemptuously ignored
the orders of the board. The Penn
sylvania is still persisting in its at
titude toward the board, yet the rail-
road newspapers find no space for
publishing the fact:
The truth Of the matter Is that
the roads and their newspaper tools.
have grave fear that a strike Of the
magnitude which threatens could
easily lead to public operation, and
later to public ownership of the rail-
roads. 1t is this eventuality which
they fear more TIM the inconvenience
or the cost of strike.
During the negotiations which will
be carried on in the next few days.
it will be interesting to watch the dis
honest moulders of public opinion.
Negotiations failing. it is almost i
certainty that the railroads-possibly
through governmental agencies-will
AK for a federal injunction forbid
ding the strike. Again it will b.
interesting to watch the antics Of
the papers as their masters in Wall
street pull the strings.
Portland has some shining ex-
amples Of a grovelling and servile
railroad press. 1t is not worth while
, - name them, as the most dense and
least thinking reader can easily pick
them out