Daily Kennebec journal., 1921-11-01
Tuesday, November !, 1921.
PRECEDENTS AND RAILROAD
STRIKES

In 1894 Grover Cleveland, the coun-
ty being threatened by a strike of
railroad employees to tie up the trans
portation facilities, had this to say:
"No man, no class of men, can as
pire, to override the Federal author
ity. The first move in this direction
is the signal for all loyal citizens to
unite for active. untiring defense of
our collective rights. Chief among
these rights Of Americans is unham-
pcred means of transportation. We
are a union of free States, and no
Lower can limit our Intercourse"
In other words Grover Cleveland
established a precedent which has
been instrumental in no small degree
in stiffcning the public backbone and
fixing responsibility that might not
be shirked without peril to the shiTk-
or The decision of the L. S. Labor
Board is supported by it and will it
self be a precedent, the full sgnif-
cance Of which will depend in some
degree on further application of the
dictum. 1t nevertheless is now an
established precedent of already
grave impoi tance. This decision vir-
tUally forbids railroad labor strik-
ing and declares that those who
may disregard this order will be
treated as outlaws and forfeit all ad-
yantages which they now may pos
sess Under the Transportation Act
Here are some Of the points of that
decision:
First, when any change of wages,
contracts or rules previously in ef-
feet arc contemplated or proposed by
either party, conferences must be
had as directed by the Ira ansportation
Act and by rules or decisions of pro-
1cdure promulgated by the Board,
and where agreements are not
reached the dispute must be brought
before this Board, and no action tax
en- or change mades until authorized
by the Board.
Second. the ordering or authoriz-
ing of Il strike against decision No.
1f41, (The July l wage cut.) of this
board is a violation of that decision.
The board desires to point out that
such overt acts by either party tend
ing to and threatening an interrupted
operation of which are so absolutely
necessary to the peace, prosperity
and safety of the entire people, arc in
themselves, even when they do not
culminate in a stoppage of traffic, n
cause, and source of great injury and
damage.
The board further points out for
the consideration of employees inter-
ested that when such action does re-
suit in a strike the organizat ton so
acting has forfeited its right and the
rights OF its members in and to the
provisions and benefits of all con-
tracts heretofore existing, and the
employees so striking have voluntar-
lily removed themselves from the
classes entitled to appeal to this
board for relief and protection"
The opinion not infrequentIy ex-
pressed is that the railroad unions
Jared well at the hands OF the Labor
Board. The proposed strike was in
lad odor and had it occurred organ
lied labor would, it is believed, have
received the greatest setback of re-
cent years. The public would have
experienced a sense of solidarity in
the effort to meet the peril, and when
thoroughly aroused it is idle to sup
rose it would submit to being hog
tied and starved by any aggregation
OF labor unions. In fact it is in evi-
Cence that the leaders of the strike
realized they had good sized bear
by the tail and were mighty anxious
to let so. The Board afforded the
chance. Some say it afforded a too
easy chance. But for it the strike
probably would have come; the rail-
road manaGements would not have
met the demands if they could have
done SO. if one may Judge from in
dications. 1t is not unreasonable to
suppose some of them would have
welcomed show-d down. They will.
however, comply with the orders of
the Board, and so, for the first time
through legal medium Of regulation
1t has been possible for the public to
exert some influence, a precedent to
the effect that the arteries of the ma
lions life shall not be cut or clocged
10 satisfy the ambition or the greed
of any combination of men has been
established and the way shown hv
which it may be adhered to. This IS
only part of what is to be done and
The value of it is somewhat depend
ent on the proper accomplishment Of
The remaining work. Government in
reference by regulation must per-
NIT the subject interfered with to
live. 1t cannot permit one Board to
say what the wages and conditions
shall be, another Board to fix the
charges and no Board or authority
be provided for assuring earnings
sufficient to satisfy the dema1 1is that
are necessary. But that is another
chapter. The first ends happily with
valuable information and all should
read it.