The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-07-11
Grave Danger
OF A General.
Rail Walkout
By DAVID LAWRENCE
Copyright by The Intelilgercer)

Washington, July 1o.-Theres grave
danger as result OF a conflict as TO
whether employees OF one class shall
substitute others OF another craft a
general railroad strike may be prec'pI-
tated.
The railroad brotherhoods, led by the
trairmen and flreman's organizations.
have let - be known that their members
cannot be ordered 10 do work which the
men now on strike are accustomed TO
do. Some OF the railroad executives
Ike the view that they have a right TO
order any Of their employees 10 do any
work they please in an emergency. II
such an attitude is persisted in union
men now at work are expected 10 decline
and should they be discharged for dis
obedience they will be backed 20 the
limit by their own organizations and q
sympathy strike would then be In
eVitable.
The railway executives are by no
means united as 10 the stand they
should take Some OF their number
think that a general show down would
be a benefit in the long run as the con-
tend that public opinion would swing
away from the strikers and that onoe
a railroad strike was won by the rail-
roads the fears OF industrial conflict
which have been for so many years wor-
rying the railroads would once and for
all be d!ssipated.
The seriousness OF the situation Is
thoroughly realized by the United States
railway labor board which has adopted
a resolution, giving the opinion that
workmen OF one class cannot De ordered
to do the work OF the strikers but the
danger lies IN the fact that work over
laps so much and that x Is hard TO
draw the line. Naturally the union men
a. work can be expected 20 draw ihe
tine much closer than the railway OFF,
o.als who are intrusted In keeping their
trains ro!nx no matter how the JOB Is
done.
Trouble Making Factors
The presence OF militia IN many reg
IONS OF the country IS always poten-
tial source Of trouble and both sides are
none too sure that the strike en- De car
ried on without friction. The add'tion
OF strikebreakers has complicated mat
ters on some roads. In other WORDS as
the trouble-maSing factors, accumulate
an enlarged strike area Including a
gradually increasing number Of men Is
developed
Many Of the executives who In their
hearts are opposed TO a strike and who
do not want TO see the present situation
complicated are doing everything IN
their power to prevent friction but they
scent rel danger in the attitude OF those
who would insist upon substituting one
class for another regardless OF the
admoni,!on Of the brotherhoods and the
resolution OF the railway labor oord
These are the executives who are sun
hopeful that a way may be touNd &C
Est,le the present difficulty In a short
,irne but lust as In the coal strike there
are amoHS the operators widely diVer'
gApt on.nions as to the policy that
should be pursued so among the riIroaos
must the railroads themselves adop'
uniform policy before II can be saio
that the nation Is immune from Tea
transportation tie up.
Looking up Tho Law
Government officials we're TO
working over all the statues wh!cf
could in any way give them authority &c
use force to assist in the clearing UP ol
the situation. The call for federa
troops to protect strike breakers anc
maintain order has not ye, come as the
several states feel able TO cope with 'ne
situation without federal aid. but any
Interference with the malls would surely
bring the federal government into tnt
conflict. Instructions have gone toru
N district attorneys 10 order the arres
os persons interfering with the mails
but aside from that phase OF the con
troyersy there Is doubt whether the red
.ral government has the power even IN
directly 70 compel the strikers 10 g
hack TO work Congress alone cou!c
make a strike on railroad matter o.
conspiracy to interrupt Interstate com
r,errs but as the house has recessed
nd the senate Is busy with the triit'
there are no signs that congress IS per
turhed over what is happening or liNei!
10 happen.
Harding watches Closely
While measures OF legei force ar
lacking. the president oln OF course US
moral force and appeal 20 all the leao
ers Of the contend!ng factions 70 com
N the White House and find a common
rround for settlement. This move wouI'
he taken. however. only as a last reSoT
az Mr.. Harding In unwilling TO give IN
trnnress;on that the United tSases taoo
raiIrav board is a failure. He Is NOR
ukely 10 advocate giving the labor ooai
zrsater powers The situation is ARK
ing along dangerously however VII
ho,h sides conceding the proOaoII'CF
general strike as not aItoseIhe'
moved.