The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1922-06-19
BY GRAFTON S. WILCOX.
Omaha Bee Leased Wire.

r Omaha bee Leased Wire.
Washington, June l8.--If the rail-
road unions should carry out their
threat to strike in protest against the
reduction of wages decreed by the
railway labor board, they will find
themselves involved in head-on
collision with the federal govern
ment.
President Harding, it was learned
today, intends to back up the labor
board to the full extent Of his vast
power in the event the unions resort
to force to defeat the processes for
the adjustment of wages provided by
the Cummins- -Esch act.
This law conferred upon the board
no means OF enforcing its decisions:
Provisions to clothe the boards and
the courts with such authority were
defeated through the efforts of or
ganized labor. Defenders OF the
legislation have held that the force
Of public opinion would be sufficient
10 compel respect for the decisions OF
the board eventually by rendering
abortive any strike in defiance
thereof.
Will Maintain Service.
This theory will be given tryout
in the event Of a strike. The presi-
dent, however, is not disposed to be
content with mere trial OF strength
between the unions and the public.
He deems it fundamental RESPONSE
bility of government to MAINTAIN
= transportation and is determined to
employ all lawful resources to ac-
complish that end,
; When the country faced the threats
Of a railroad strike last year, Secre-
tary of Commerce Hoover was fornl-
ing all organization to cary out
vast scheme OF transportation OF the
necessities OF life by auto trucks and
Attorney General Daugherty was on
the point of instituting legal pro-
ceedings against the authors of the
strike order. These plans will be
revived if the unions make good
their present threats to walk out.
One Million Vote on Strike.
More than 100000 employees COM
prise the membership Of the IL un-
ions now taking strike vote.
The four train service brotherhoods
Of engineers, firemen, conductors
and train men. with membership
of 100000, are not affected by the sit
uation.
The total OF the last three cuts or
dcrcd by the labor board is $135,000,-
00C. Added to the cut OF July l.,
1927, it makes a total OF $485,O00.-
O, in the last year.
Government figures are not avail
able to show the reduction i'll wages
OF other classes of industry. From
incomplete returns, however, but
covering a wide range of industry, it
is evident that wage reductions have
been much greater than i'll the rail
road industry. even running to as
much as 50 per cent from the war
time levels, in some instances. 1t is
estimated roughly however, that the
average reduction in other lines has
been around 25 per cent.
Holds Union Suable.
wit is possible that the supreme
court decision in the Coronado Coal
case holding unions suabe for dam
ages and defining strikes amendable
to provisions of the Sherman anti
trust act, will have bearing upon
such legal proceedings as might be
instituted against the railroads
unions i'll the event of strike.
Henry S. Drinker, jr., Of Philadel-
phia. counsel for the Coronado Coal
company. is Of the opinion that or
ssanized labor will benefit by the de-
cision.
Now that labor unions are legal
ly liable for damages which they
cause" says Mr.. Drinker, ''it would
seem that the courts would be much
less likely to grant injunctions. since
after the commission of the act there
is ready and adequate remedy.
Change Gomper's Stand.
"A considerable of Mr.. Gomper's
public utterances in recent years has
been devoted to berating the courts
for what he contends is their unfair
attitude toward labor, his most
prevalent charge being relative to
-the issuance OF inJunctions which ne
contends would not have been is
sued if the defendants had been capi-
talists.
while contepding that iabo,
unions were totally immune from
suits for damages and their funds
exempt from liability for injuries
caused by their members. Mr.. Com
pers. at the same time has main.
a tained that there should be applied
to the unions the same rule as would
i be applicable if they were in fac,
legally responsible.
"Manifestly under the law. prior
to the courts decision in the Coro-
NADIA Coal company case, this posi-
ton was both illogical and unfair
One cannot both have his cake and
eat it. Now. however. the situs-
ton is wholly changed"