Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-10-29
SATURDAY., OCTOBER 90, 1921.
Yields Again To I'Orcc

NNOUNCEMENT OF the Railroad LaDor
"A Board that il would refuse TO consider
any further wage reductions until after the
question of rules and working conditions
had been determined, which means that 1t
will be Il year or more before wage agita-
ton can be resumed, formed the basis on
which the big five brotherhoods agreed TO
call off the strike which was to have become
effective tomorrow morning. That announce
mcnt combined with the knowledge that
the Federal government was prepared to
intervene vigorously, and that public scnti-
mcut was overwhelmingly against them, in
duced the chiefs of the brotherhoods TO
accept what for them constitutes real
victory.
While the nation is spared strike that
might have proved demoralizing TO its bust
ness and retarded its postwar recovery,
for which the people are duly thankful and
tho Railroad Labor Board will receive its
NEED of credit for bringing about settle
mcnt the fact remains that il is only tempo
rary.
Results OF the negotiations now ended in
Chicago may be summarized thus: The rail
reads BY their unyielding attitude have
made it certain that ii union labor receives
any future concessions from them they will
have TO be forced; tho public receives
freight reductions which are expected to
prove Il StllnuIuS TO business, ana the cOun-
Try learns that the sportation act needs
amending before it can function as il was
expected TO do. But the most pertinent fact
OF all is that the Federal government. while
threatening and preparing to throw its
forces into the breach TO keep transporta-
ton open and defeat the strikers really
surrendered to the htothcrhoods. Instead
OF facing the issue. raised by them firmly
and uniiinchingiy, the government threw up
lis hands in its assurance that tho unions
would be undisturbcd in their present wages
for al least year. It paid the price of
peace, a price cXacted by less than zoo, 600
men who sought by Il threat 10 paralyze the
business OF the nation III order to compel
o0,OO0.000 people to submit to their de-
mands. The unions now accept what has
been handed them and so their way reioic-
ing. reminding their followers that twice
within five years they have forced their
government TO capituiatc. and the railroads.
through government intervention to yield
While the unions are defeated on the
issue created by the wage reduction OF last
July. they stand triumphant on the greater
ISSUE OF receiving from some authoritative
source assurance that wage reductions are a
thing of the past that fresh moves OF the
railroad managers are checkmated and the
employees can ride along indefinitely on their
what turned the tide. Naturally it could
not proceed from any higher source The
President might have made it, but that
would have put him in the position of die
tating to an Independent agency of the gov
eminent. Bat it came through his repre-
sentative, and he escapes the criticism that
would have been leyclcd at him had he
publicly issued ain order TO the board
nat was as far as the government could
inN 4,
great desideratum. hgnrntyely al the point
OF the pistol, and probably far more than
IA their hearts they expected 10 receive il
couid only fall back on its threa; OF inter
Ncntion. But the brotherhood chiefs. able
strategists that they are, announce that they
are satisfied and rctire with their laurels
what comfort there is 70 the public IN tbo
situation mast he drawn from the fact that
The danger Of t!e-up Of It's aFic has PASSED
ana that business, already well on The nm
grade viii not be disturbed AZ least until il
shatl nave been firmly re-estGbiished