The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-06
WHERE Are rHEY Go1NG2

WHERE ARE THEY GOING?
Leaders of the striking shopmen in
sist that the strike will go on. But
what do they hope to accomplish by
keeping up the fight. The shopmen
are battling for principle and they
bskeye they are right. The railway
executives also are fighting for a prin-
ciple and believe they are right. Both
cannot be right. The strongest force
will win, but = victory for either side
will not settle anything. Each will re-
main true to its principle and ready
to fight for it again as soon as
another occasion arises. Hence the
necessity Of submitting the contro-'
versy to a disinterested body of men
like the railroad labor board. The
board might err. But even so. both the
railroads and the strikers would be
better off than .they are today.
The strikers feel now that the gov
eminent has sided against them. But
what was the government to do? The
transportation lines of the country
must be kept open at any cost. That
government was organized
There is some talk of a general
strike of union labor in aid of the
shopmen. 1t is estimated. that there
are 100000 persons connected with
the American Federation of Labor.
Counting five to a family, would give
a total of 20.00O,00o. But is it con-
ceivabIe that even these 100000 900
persons can override the interests and
wishes of the other 90,O0O,o00?
The President holds that the people
have a right to travel and ship their
goods in interstate commerce. He
finds that they have laws to safeguard
the right and have provided severe
penalties for those who conspire to
violate them. These he proposes to
enforce with all the power of the gov
eminent, and If the men who are
striking attempt to prevent others
from working as they have a lawful
right to do, he will protect the work
ers> against the strikers.
President Harding kept the stride
with public opinion when he said be-
fore the joint session of the house and
the senate: Surely the threatening
conditions must impress the congress
and the country that no body of men
whether limited in numbers and re-
sponsible for railway management, or
powerful in numbers and the neces-
sary forces in railway operation, shall
be permitted to choose a course which
SO imperils public welfare. Neither
organizations of employed nor work
ing mems union may escape respon-
sibility.
IF free men cannot toll according
to their own lawful choosing, our
constitutional guarantees born of de-
mocracy are surrendered to moboc-
racy and the freedom of a hundred
millions is surrendered to a small mi
nority which would have no law"
Plain talk and plain truths from
the president of the United States
backed by the approval of millions
of lawabiding citizens cover the
impression of this address to the
branches of congress. It is high time
for capital and labor to follow un-
swervingly the path pointed out by
Mr.. Harding. I'VE must reassert the
doctrine that in this republic Nhe first
obligation and the first allegiance of
every citizen, high or low, is to his
government. No matter what clouds
may gather no matter what storms
may ensue, no matter what hardships
may attend. or what sacrifice may be
necessary. government by law must
and will be sustained"
The above forcefully closed with
this special admonition Wherefore 1
am resolved to use all the power of
the government to maintain trans
portation and TO sustain the right of
men to- work"