The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-08-23
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST %, 1922.

In considering a question it Otter
happens that we fail to consider tho
main issue and give all consideration
to mere side issues. We now have q
strike on in ti4s country that is al
most nationwide. As to who is right
who w ong, we have never been aDle
to say No doubt the workingmar
has his grievance; the operator may
have his. Both may be wrong; both
may be right, in some of their con-
tentions. But there is one phase of
this situation that should be cons;d-
cred, phase that is seldom consid-
cred. The innocent party, the third
party in the situation, pays the bill.
Those who destroy the business of the
country. fail to realize that they are
destroying value that often belongs
to widows and orphans, aged people
and people against whom neither the
strikers nor the operators have any
grievance.
a nan works half lifetime. ac-
cumul2tcs a competence for old age,
invests the money in railroad stock.
He should not be robbed OF his life
time earnings by the warning of own
ers. A man should be protected il
the possession of his accumulated
values. A man, having provided for
his family by carrying insurance, by
painstaking effort and the practice
Of economy, leaves the money to
carry out his will. The money is in
vested in railway stocks; In this or
that enterprise. We maintain that
no set of workingman nor set of op-
orators should be allowed to wipe out
that value. 1t is a crime to allow it.
What real incentive would then be to
conserve value if there is to be no
protection of value? What use to put
by money for rainy day, if when
that day comes, the moneys value is
to be destroyed through the wrangles
that arise between workingman and
ope. ator? To use the invested capi-
tai Of the country to wage war Is
wrong. This country needs to get
down to rock bottom on these funGa-
mental issues. Neither organized ia
Dor nor organized operator should b2
allowed to destroy these values to set
tie their differences. The working
MN, as well as all other men, is, in
the long run. affected by he dc%trac-
ton so wrought. Suppose a railway
worker, through years has accunlu-
lated competence, invested it in rail
way stocks and, having 30 done,- re-
turns to quiet life to spend the last
Of his earthly days? Suppose the
strikers, through their striking or tn,
operators, through their nagging,
bring on the destruction of those in
vested values? Should they be al
lowed to do this? We do not believe
this should be allowed The function
of government is to protect property
as well as life. The government levies
taxes on invested capital to function
The life of the government depends
on this levy. If it had no money, ;ke
government would cease to fuact;on.
So, when YOU disrupt, destroy .hc IN.
vette, values in a country you really
undermine the government. Many
people do not like to face 0hs IS: ue.
But it is the truth, nevertheless. And
truth is what we need to meet all
questions. We say it agai1 and,
without apology: Many people H. tbs
country have gone crazy in their at
titude towards invested weali; They
seem to think that it is the rixht and
proper thing to abuse, har.aG; and
destroy such capital. They do ro,
seem to realize that in so doirc. ,hcy
are pulling down the house up Il. their
own heads.