Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-09
BOTH SIDES IN RAIL STRIKE
PRESUME ON PUBLIC PATIENCE
Shopmen and Executives Alike May
Find They Can Go Too Far in Count.
jno on Mr. Hardipo's Good Nature

ing on Mr. Hardine's Good Nature
'1NIlE present attitude of the striking rail-
4 road men and of the railroad managers
toward the Presidents latest proposal sug-
gcSts that neither party to the dispute Is
thinking at all of the public's rights.
Mr.. Harding is seeking to settle the strE"
and to have all disputed points adjudcated
by the Railroad Labor Board.
The leaders Of the railroads. who seem
only TO think of renalizing the shopcraft
union. are holding off on the submission of
the seniority issue to the Labor Board
The shorcraft men arc insisting that their
seniority rights be guaranteed before they
return TO work, because they wish to enforce
respect for the authority of their union.
In the meantime the repair of the rolling
stock is delayed. 1t is charged that the
engineers are compelled to take out engines
and cars that are not in proper condition
to be used.
This charge can probably be discounted
by 95 per cent. but there remains the pos
stbility of the use Of unsafe engines which
may break down on the road The shop.
craft leaders are harping on this possibility
IN order to create public sentiment in their
favor.
The country has Lad some eXp"rienc" with
the control of tho railroads by the Govern
m"nt and it does not wish to repeat it.
But if il is forced to choose between the
evil Of return 70 control by the Govern
mont and the evil of transportation
breakdown it will not hesitate TO make a
choice. II may be this last resort the
President has in mind.
The shopcraft union is as much TO blame
as the railroad managers for being obdurate.
For its private advantage it is holding ont
f"r n guaranteed recognition of rights which
are of ittle consequence in comparison with
the maintenance Of service to the travelling
public.
No union can long survive popular con.
demnatiOn. Its only excuse for existence
lies in its ability to serve. When II be-
comes unroasonably obstructive when it re-
fuses to submit its grievances to the ad-
judication Of properly constituted tribunal
It forfcitS public confidence.
The seniority question on which both tho
union and the railroad managers are stand
ing out i not Of enough Importance to
justify what is happening.
Both sides have said that they will accent
the d"cro"s Of the Railroad Labor Board on
all other matters. There is no valid reason
why III" seniority question should not be
submitted 70 this shoard
Yet when President Harding. taking the
d!, DUtants at their word. invites them TO
stop their quarreling and resume tho rcIa-
t.on Of employer and cmp'oye while the
Labor Board passes on tie seniority rights
Of thc men, the d!SputantS show no inrina-
ton to follow the course which The logic
of their pledges marks out
Are both sides counting too much Oh the
good nature and patience Of the President?
DO they expect him 90 l"t them fight their
battle to finish regardless Of the rights
of the public?
DO they believe lie has not the nerve to
assert himself as the representative Of the
whole people and force them 70 stop quar-
reling and get together:
II they do, they should consider seriously
tie announcement from Washington that
rho Presidents request that the seniority
issue be put up TO the Labor Board !q the
final effort OF the Government TO bring the
strike 10 a settlement through voluntary
action Of the Two parties concerned"
And they should NOT ignore the further
announcement that tie President j. pre-
pairing 20 ask Congress 70 pass ,aw which
will force settlemenr
When small boys disturb IL" peace Of
ne!ghborLood by fighting in tie srreprs II is
customary for some one % 90 Olt and take