The Washington herald., 1921-10-18
viii Not Strike.

TIME HERALD does not believe there will be
either a general railroad strike, that the
partial called, will be put in effect.
We do not believe this, because we do believe in
tie 100000 men who form the unionized body of
railroad workers. We have faith in them in their
humanity, their Amercanism, and their good sense
There be doubt to the suffering such
strike would cause the hardship and losses, but it
would be lost when the first man walked out.
, The British railway strike had a better chance
10 win and it failed. The British coal mine strike
Jailed, and Great Brtain's workers and capital
both still suffering the consequences. These two
strikes are the bottom OF the dire British eco
nomic outlook. They have held back that country's
recovery and labor suffers equally with capital.
American railroad workers have less excuse for
striking than in either instance over there.
There are now between 100000 and 100000
unemployed in this country. This strike would not
only make it impossible to put these millions at
work. but it would add to their numbers the 2,ooo-
700 railroad and all who depend freight
movement for their employment, At the time
it would add to the of Irving and make this
xinter one Of conditions which would react upon
he railway unions until their very name would be
Inathema Their own fellow workers would suffer
most.
What reason is there for this strike? 1t has
ocen preceded by complete publicity and these
ons such as they are, are known. The Railroad
labor Board after full hearings, sordered cut in
wages of IL per cent effective last July 1. Later
hey ordered certain changes in the union rules
which effected savings in railroad operation, but
dok from the men practically nothing that was
caly earned. There are lot of the idle, for in
lance, who would like chance to work overtime
It a straight wage.
In 1916 railroad wages went up total of about
,7ooooooo In 1913 another $87oooo,ooo was
added to this; in 1919, S23ooooooo, and in 1920 for
part year, $83o,ooo,ooo. From these increases the
DIT approved OF last July would take around
100000 900 the basis of full complement of
men not much than half the increase of last
'ear. The railroad managers have asked the labor
poard for a further decrease. This could only be
;Ianted after hearing and has yet been
,tdered.
But the unions called the strike vote on the
,ass OF the cut in wage of last July and the
hange in their rules They order the strike be-
Of the request for further cut not yet
Ilowed and not yet considered. No such
trke can be won, because not warranted. 1t
would lose all the sympathy the unions have. 1t
would solidify public opinion against them and
hey would lose more than the strike, more than
heir contention. They would lose their good name
nd high standing in public favor.
! President Harding, very wisely, has not ap-
coached this situation in the spirit of either de-
ance or weakness. He has not threatened nor
ajolled. He has not extended either the iron fist
or the velvet glove but the bare hand of human
cllowship For there is another side; there always
i another side. The present situation was not all
sused by the men. They did not call for this
tTike vote save as offensive, or defensive,
,ssapon 1t was not given with the expectation that
certainly would be used. But rather the contrary.
Strike votes largely matter of form,
natter of course. The union leaders want it as a
Weapon or as reserve force and are granted it
he. leaders know his and strike vote does not