Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-07-27

Mr.. !. Clcvr Dean.
Chairman hallway Employees rub
Lefty Association. Chattanooga
Tenn:
Since YOU speak az chairman o
the Hallway Employees Publicity As
sociation. and since II is nxcccdingl,
important shat the American pcupl,
, know precisely the Questions nj
issue In III" present railway and Goa
strikes. am mors than glad To an.
sw"r your telegram. though | ear
, only treat your politically partisan
references with that contempt which
is fol, by every good citizen in IN.
| hour OF deep public concern
Happily FOR tn. American public
everything done and everything said
oy government authority relating [,
the two strikes liz a mater of record
ana cannot in any way he distorted
There Is no di-put. abon, IN. loyaI
American citizenship OF the men on
strike. nor Will any ON. question tina,
many of them gave everything tina,
men can Civ" for the service OF this
country in the World War
Nor iS II disputed that tho mon
on strike arc exercising their con.
Stituti"nal and lawful rights. under
existing statutes, in declining 10
work under the terms decided hy IN,
Railroad Labor Board or rendered Ia
the workmcn by the mine operators
OF the country.
NO one has attempted or pro-
posed 20 draft free men into either
inc railway or mining service or
suggested coercion under military
i"rce. The military forces IF free
America are never used for such a
"t preventing lawlcssncss and vio-
lcnce.
Heritage OF Free American.
That same unchallenged freedom
which permits you and your asso.
GATES to decline to work IL NO less
me heritage Of the free American
VINO chooses 10 accept employment
"hG'r inc terms proposed
ihe difference between the two
p"si''ohs 's that the striking rail
'""n workers exercise their rights
OF freedom In seeking To hinder m,
"'S"rN transportation Of the coun-
Try. Notwithstanding the provision,
made by law for the cn,sidor,,ia,
Oh any Just grievance. and the s,rik
ihG miners seek to prcven, tho nro-
""clioh OF coal necessary Ia common
"ei'df". Notwithstanding the offer or
81" "schcT TO make an impartial sol.
cement while the men who choosc
10 WORK In response to tho caII ar
'"' country are exercising their like
w nus anu at the came tim. arc max
ing thc!r contribution To our com
mon Am"rican welfare.
'hc decisions Of the Railroad
Lar Dor Board are In compliance with
mandate OF the Iaw-making bodv
or the United States. without dis.
cusS'ng the decisions at issue. {, Ia
rair to assume that government,
agency Is over ready to correc, an
error which is made else government
i'selt would become unjust More
over II Is indisputable that ther.
can be no government unless lis
mandates are accepted by the ci,I.
zenship OF the republic. This obser-
ration relates more particularly 10
the railroad situation.
When tho mining situation hecame
mehacinE Invited representatives OF
the mine workers and the operators
10 conference. They came to-
selher, they were advised ms to the
cali or common welfare. vet in eirbt
nays OF opportunity no progress was
made. In the absence of any tribunal
anthorized I" settle disputes between
mine workers and their empIoycrs
'he Federal government then volun-
thrily proposed tho creation OF ma
ilohal commission before which tho
uihpu'es might be settled Justly. I'm
the light OF full Information and in
accordance with tho hest expressions
OF our modern civilization.
Juafice to Every Mnn,
instead OF contemplating the re-
sort to force. II anticipated the very
Observation-Disclosures peace with jus-
'lce I" every man concerned. Instead
OF aiming at involuntary servitude,
10 winch yon inexcusably refer. the
government asked tho mine workers
10 resume their activities. in response
10 manifest public need. at pre-
cisely the same wages and under
precisely the same working condi-
lions rs those under which they had
heen working contentediy for the last
Two years. Those who spoke for the
mine workers refused such a pro-
posal
There is no dispute Of the right
to refuse Since they declined to
respond. and since il liz believed there
arc enough men who love this coun-
try and cherish It's security. and be-
ilcVinG in serving the common vel
lare. TO come to the relief Of the
mining situation, and avoid suffering.
privation and paralysis. ] asked the
Governors Of the coalmininE states
10 invite mine operators and mine
workers 10 resume their activities,
and To promise that to which every
man In entitled, namely protection
In his lawful pursuits. This protec-
ton applies alike to the men on strike
who observe the law and make no
lawicss interference with men at
work. and TO the men who are law
fully Mt work and entitled to pro-
lection by every agency OF govern
m.nt III thar work.
III y"u mean to challenge tho