The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-07-05
The Strikers and the Government.

Tho railroad men who are on strike claim
that they can't support themselves and their
families decently on the wages they have been
asked to accept. Yet the award has been made
BY government board, which is composed Of
all the facts needed to aid them in arriving at
their conclusions. The men comprising this
board weighed all sides, those of the workers,
the employers and the public. They in effect
said that the railroads could not afford to con-
tinue paying the wages that were fixed during
the war. inasmuch as their earnings had been
reduced BY rate cuts ordered by the interstate
commerce commission.
The railroad board, as an arm of the gov
ernment is taking the position that it must
lend its support to the railroads as against the
strikers. inasmuch as the latter have refused to
obey the orders Of the board. This places the
strikers in the attitude Of defying government
authority. Those who take the places of the
strikers are promised the protection of the
federal. state and local governments, and they
are assured that they are not to be considered
rs strike-breakers. Rather are they to be &C
cepted as good citizens who are willing to aid
in the operation of utility essential to the
carrying on Of the business of the nation, the in
terruption Of which would be disastrous to life
and industry
Thus are the strikers more awkwardly
placed than they have ever been before during
4 break with the railroads in this country.
The railroad owners claim that their record of
relations with the federal board is clean; that
they have obeyed every order of the board and
have right to expect equal obedience by the
railroad employees. The public does not want
to see the railroads interrupted. The govern
meot, sensing the desires Of the public, will
find itself ON the popular side in standing be-
hind the railroad board in enforcement. of its
orders. The public will not take the trouble
to 60 into the controversy to determine for it.
self whether the strikers have been dealt with
fairly or not All the public wants is service.
Yon may say that this is not the right attitude,
but the truth is that everyb is so occupied
with his own affairs that he doesn't take time
to trouble himself with the affairs Of his neaRh-
bors. It is thus that at times injustices are
imposed. Q
The railroad men are within their rights in
striking. but nevertheless it is questionable
whether their present move is wise one what
labor loses tn strike Is never resained The
men probably could have done better had they
remained At their posts and continued their
night before the railroad board. In the mean
time they would at least have gotten along as
well or even better than BY leaving their jobs
and emitting OF their incomes The railroads
are IN . positioa where they VIII have full oc-
operation Of the governmental powers In keen
ing their properties manned and projected.
The railroads were never In better shape "a
battls With kbor.. That's What is xotnx to
nAks u present strike hard ons for ths
voehsss p vin- TAay may be striking in !
3sst eaasa. bst 10 hnxs allowed tie railroadu
. ese tAea h tAe Ae1a.