Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1921-10-19

ON WITH THE STRIKE!!-Lingering in our
minds is d deep regret that union labor has not
found way to meet the establishments which have
been necessary in getting back to normal business
in this country We do not know how the leaders
reached the conclusions which the railroad
strike is going to be based, but when it is over the
wrcckagc which will be left will be all there is
from which the laboring will have to re-or-
game and build again-and as we see it. he must
build on different principles.
We remember that the profiteers are still goug-
ing all they wiring from the man who has to
spend his wages for food and clothing Rascality
and swindling and cheating in all lines of merch-
andse still prevails. Robbery reigns supreme at
the source Of American business and government
does not stop it. The laboring man knows of this
and hears Of wage reductions with bitterness and
revolt in his soul.
But cur rail labor, it must be remembered. votes
to strike on an excuse all too fimsy. 1t does not
seem willing to put faith in the agencies disposed
to reduce prices. High freights help to make the
enormous charges for food supplies, and until the
freights reduced, food costs cannot come down,
Frelghts cannot be reduced until wages are cut.
The question now is whether rail wages should be
cut IL order that the all important problem of
cheaper transportation may be solved
Tic unions have positively refused to become
participants in scales for establishments In so do
ing they have chosen the strike to defend them
selves. Economic conditions in this country will
not stand the rail wage of this day. American
business will not stand it-cannot stand it IF #
remains at the present level industrial forces of
Other countries will in sheer competition on prices
rer'ove our trade from every corner of the earth
ard substitute therefore a commodity made at less
labor cost Rail frelghts figure largely in the cost
OF Af1criran made goods These must be reduced
We believe this whole country sees this economx
necessity. 1t is not a matter of further option
wit us American business can not exist under
present freight charges
Freight increases pre-war levels stand an
Prcxmately at hundred per cent. Some of it is
over and some is under. Likewise has rail labor
bctn given an increase of approximately hundred
per cent over the pre-war scale.
he mistake that labor makes. it seems +o nc
is ITS failure to see that wages must adjust themseI
YES to normal conditions Rail labor cannot elmo
to abnormal charges and hope to win. The struc-
tufc built on such foundation will fall within itself
some day, no matter what course might he SOUGHT
now that did not include wage reduction in keen
ING with other economic conditions
nc ra'lroadS are charging now almost double
inc 'reiehts which must be charged when thew
"'Ne come to normal basis The officials see
N''' ana realize that 1t is shutting down business
lhey must move for relief. A strike will NOT sion
H. The sooner the clash and the test the be++er i
VIII be tor the country. AS it appears to us. there
IS no remedy but the strike and battle to the finish
II the strike wins, then American business rn,,s4
understand and adjust itself to the increased fran
Portauon charges. If the strike fails then the
'o"o ~ resumption OF normal busin' is thus made
clear.
IN TINS case we do not know all that Justice miobt
demand 1t would be hard for any man or sat of
men TO take hold and untange this problem Rrt
"ne'i IS settled business will have deep SIGH of
reheh tor relief certainly must come at the finish
OF the struggle.