Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-10-18
LET US HAVE PUBLICITY.

Opportunity should be given for intelligent
public opinion to be brought TO bear on the rail-
road strike situation. Some kind of public opin-
ion will be crystalli2ed quickly upon thing which
is so great menace to the public If the people
do not have the correct facts upon which to base
judgment, that public opinion may be wrong and
may work a serious injustice to one party to the
controversy, or the other.
1t would to be imperative that the repre-
sentatives of each party should make full state
ment to the public of the exact contention, from
the viewpoint of the contestant. No "pubc-be-
damned" attitude will be tolerated. This is the
business of the public fully much as 1t Is the
business of the parties-even more so. The opinion
of the general public will decide this thing in the
last analysis and will force the government to do
with the strong arm of the law whatever the peo-
pie finally decide is right.
Is the controversy merely one of wage reduce
tions? If so, the public has decided the question
already. Reasonable wage reductions must come.
Resistance will not prevent it. That matter can not
be settled until 1t Is settled right. return to
normal conditions come only with an ADJUST
ment downward Of the wage scale.
Is the struggle over an effort by the railroads
to reduce wages too radically and too fast? The
people will not favor such course.
Is the trouble change in the working
rules? We should know exactly what each party
is contending for in this respect. The public feels
thing is wrong. But they not advised accurately
as to what it Is. The people are entitled to know
the real contentious of both parties.
The labor board has authorized IL per cent
cut in wages. This is accompanied by corre-
spending cut in rates Yet the railroads have said
that they could not cut rates because of high wages
Cutting wages will not restore normal condition
unless that cut reflected in the price Of the goods
produced by that labor. In this instance those goods
are transportation.
In this period OF recession all have been COM
PEELED to take down losses. The government has
not protected others against loss. Why should It
protect railroads? To cut wages in order to allow
the railroads TO earn more money does not help
return to normal. Whether or not the government
should aid the railroads in funding the losses be-
and the reflex effect of their misfortunes upon the
general business condition, is another question We
are disposed to think this should be done.
But the railroads should take their losses along
with everyone else until all strike bottom and
start UP again. Then we can have time to see what
needs to be done in order to restore normal pros
perity to the railroads, for they must be made 10
prosper. This is the viewpoint of many people II
there is defect in that logic the railroads should
point 1t out.
The Journal like the average man, is not for or
against anybody through prejudice. We all want
what is right The journal will not hesitate to
what 1t thinks. just rapidly as the atmosphere
clears 30 that we have opinion based on
the facts.
Just now the people need the facts Mr.. Rail-
road Official. give the facts of your contention.
Mr.. Union President give the facts as you see
them. The facts what the public demands.
Given those facts, the issue will be decided justly
by public opinion.