Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-17
Will Government
Seize Railroads?

Continued from PAGE Ono
Of the Pennsylvania Railroad employees
who signed contracts with their execu-
tives and will not. therefore. join the
strike:" l inquired
There's a very material difference"
was the reply. THE Pennsylvania
Railroad officials ignored the commit
tees selected by the American Fedora
tion men. They were sclf-scIected
COMMITTEES that the officials dealt with.
They did not represent the men,"
The fact that today has been set for
a walkout of another group Of railway
craftsmen, the stationary engineers,
fir"men and oilers, Is not particularly
significant. There are about 5000 of
them.
1t has been anticipated and its effect
discounted. Only incidentally does It
add 70 the embarrassment of the rail
roads affected. Disturbing reports from
the East last night were that the main
tenance OF way men were likely TO
break away and ignoring the authority
Of their president, F.. +. Cradle. join
forces today with the striking shopmen.
New Aspect Critical
This las impaired q critical aspect
70 the strike which may precipitate
trouble in an unexpected quarter.
When the situation, aside from the
threatened breakaway of the mainte-
nance men. IS considered, today's walk
out Of the stationary engineers and fire.
men appears n another calculated step
in n progressive strike.
II i new club poised over the heads
Of the railroads.
1t is gradually increasing pressure
that is being brought to bear through
the importance Uf tho crafts succesSively
ordered into ii" strife. Ultimately il
will be Impossible for the big four
brotherhood5 If trainmen to ignore con-
d.t!ons and they Will be forced into
line, i the belief.
That is. unless in the meantime. the
Railroad Labor Board or President
Harding. succeeds in inducing the exec
utiYes 20 meet the strikers, or else they
arrange for some other sort Of accept
able settlement.
Fear Spread OF Violence
But a crisis threatens, and L. +. Ga
bye, president Of the United Brother
hood Of Maintenance Of Way Employees
and RAILWAY Shop Lnhorcrs, apparently
senses the danger. 1t is that this pre-
arranged program Of progressive
strike may jump the track
Once the hot heads arouse the pas
ready done In sporadic cases over the
country, the strike may not only become
general but It may get beyond control
Of the leaders and into the hands Of the
radicals.
That was just what happened in
Pittsburgh IN lS71. The uncomfortable
element among Tia" strikers cost Pitts
burgh and III" county of Allegheny
81 900 900 for damages to railroad
property, to say nothing Of the lives
! useIcssly sacrificed.
Up to the present this strike situa-
,iDn has scr2ed as barometer to the
railroad employees on strike or contcm-
plating strike. 1t has enabled them
TO get a line on public opinion on the
subject.
They have found prcponderance Of
sentiment the country over against
them. 1t has led their leaders and
wOuld.bc leaders to exercise greater
caution.
am reliably informed that this has
been one of III" paramount reasons, to-
gcther with the fear Of radical control
and ultimate destruction Of the unions,
that Is holding Mr.. Cradle so firmly
against a walkout Of his men.
! The public is not only not sympa.