Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1922-08-18

IL can cannot matt strike, and
manifestly Congress deliberately
omitted the enactment of eompul-
sorry arbitration. The decisions of
the board must be made enforceable
and effective against carriers and
employees alike. But tho law is new,
and no perfection of it by Congress
at this moment could be helpful in
the present threatened paralysis Of
transportation.
Happily it is always and oft
times possible to settle disputes out
side of court, so, in desire to
serve public welfare, ventured
upon an attempt at mediation
submitted to the officials of the
striking employees and the chairmen
of the association of railway execu-
tiyes, In writing, DIN the same day,
a tentative proposal for settlement
knowing that some of the carriers
had offended by ignoring the decis-
ions of the board and the employees
had struck when they had a remedy
without the strike. felt 1t was best
to start all over again, resume work
all agree to abide faithfully by the
boards decisions. make 1t real
tribunal of peace in transportation,
and everybody serve the public
The barrier to be surmounted was
the question of seniority. BY the
workmen these rights are held to
be sacred and unsurendered by u
strike. BY the carriers the preser-
walton of seniority Is the weapon Of
discipline on the one hand and the
reward of faithful employees on the
other. II has been an almost invari-
able rule that when strikes have
been lost seniority and it's advant-
ages have been SURRENDERED; when
strikes have been settled seniority
has been restored
I'm the tentative proposal which
| sponsored 1t was provided that
everybody should go to work, with
seniority rights unimpaired, that
there should be no discrimination by
either workmen or carriers against
workmen who did or diI not strike.
I recalled that fhe proposal must
carry a disappointment TO employ
es who had inherited promotion by
staying Loyalty on the job and to
such new men as had sought jobs
looking to permanent employment.
but | wanted the fresh start and
maintained transportation service,
and appraised the disappointment
Of the few to be less important
than the impending misfortune to
the nation. 1t was not what | would
ask ordinarily to be considered or
to be conceded, but at that moment
Of deep anxiety, with the coal short
age gravely mcnacing, | was think
ing OF the pressing demands Of the
welfare of the whole people. | Dn-
licvcd the sacrifice brought to the
men involved could be amply com
pcnsated for by the carriers In
many ways r
"The proposal was rejected by the
carriers. Though the rejection did
not end all negotiations, it left the
government only one course-to call
the striking workmen to return 10
work, TO call the carriers TO assign
thcm 10 work, ana leave the dispute
about seniority to the labor board
for decision -
"TO this call majority % the
carriers responded favorably. pro-
posing to reemploy all strikers OK
cept those guilty OF violence against
workmen or property, to restore tho
workmen TO their old positions
whore vacancies are filled; ques-
tions of seniority which cannot he
settled between the employer and
employees to 90 TO the labor hoard
for decision The minority Of the
carriers proposed to assign Jobs to
workmen on strike only whore tho
positions were vacant Mother
proposal has been accepted.
Thus the narrative brings US 10
the present moment, but it has not
included the developments which
have heightened the governments
concern. Sympathetic strikes have
developed here and there, seriously
impairing interstate commerce. Dc
serted trans-contineHtal trains in the
desert regions Of the southwest
lave revealed the cruelty and cor.
tempt for law on the part Of come
railway employees, who have CON
spircd to paraly2o transportation
and lawlessnoss ami violence in a
hundred places nave revealed the
failure of the striking Unions to
hold their forces 70 law observance.
Men who refused 20 strike ard who
have braYed insult and assault and
risked their lives to serve a public
need have been cruelty attacked and
wounded or killed. Mea seeking
work and guards seeking tG-protcct
lives and property even officers OF
the federal government, have been
assaulted. Inundated and hindoied
in their duties. Strikers have arm
ed themselves ana gaihcr4 in mobs
about railroad shops TO offer armed
violence to any man Attempting to
90 to work. There is a state of law
lessness shocking . cYery cnncep-
zion Of American law and order and
violating the cherished guarantees
Of American freedom. At no time
has the federal government been
unready or unwilling to give its
support to maintain law and order
and restrain violence but in no case
has state authority confessed its
inability to cope with the situation
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