The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1922-08-17
THEY FORFEIT OUR
RESPECT

The present rail strike is another
conspicuous example of the parties
to a quarrel carrying on their fuss
and making the public stand the loss
in the role of innocent bystanders
being struck BY the bullets. The
loss in property suffered by the
strikers and the railroad company is
but a splash in the ocean compared
with what the public are losing.
The conduct of striking train
crews last Saturday in stopping their
trains in the southern deserts and
leaving the passengers to swelter in
temperature of from 100 to 100 in
the shade, seems an inexcusable act.
And when committees of passengers
appealed to them to pull the trains
to some place of comfort, and asked
them to do this on account of pas
sengers who had suffered sun
strokes and were unconscious and
likely to die from the heat, they
were told to go to HI. This was
another feature Of the case that was
inexcusable, since it was making 1t
a personal affair between belliger-
ents and innocent victims of circum-
stance, involving the same principle
as was invoked by the German army
when it committed the atrocities in
Belgium.
The strikers missed big oppor-
tunity to make friends for their
cause at that time If they found it
their duty to quit their trains at
certain hour, and that hour found
them in unsuitable places to hold
the trains, they should have served
notice that they had struck, but
that for the sake of humanity and
decency they would pull the trains
to destination or to place of safety
for the passengers. That act would
have enlisted the respect and SYM
patty Of the nation. The thing they
did do calls for the resentment OF
the nation and brands them as out
laws unworthy of a place in the
ranks. OF course, the unions that
authorized the strike are not en-
tirely responsible for this in the
moral sense and such action surely
does not meet with their endorse
ment, but an organization must
stand accountable for the acts
ordered by it's officials and done by
Its individuals, and here was one big
opportunity thrown away.
1t Was Done in
Poor Taste
The parties that came from Poca-
tello this week to canvass the town
of Blackfoot to raise funds for the
strikers to subsist on while they
further tied up transportation and
business and thereby insured
greater degree of loss and suffering
for ALL, were exercising very poo
taste. Pocatello is railroad town
and If they want to take sides Their
and then solicit aid from those whit
line up with the strikers, so long a
those people are willing to share VI
what they have by reason OF thei
interest in the cause or by reason o
their convictions as to who ought t
win, then that is consistent. Blu
to come out among neutral commun
tiles and make a personal canvas
and make it necessary for person
and firms to take sides and put VI
money or do the disagreeable act o
refusing an appeal for aid, is actinI
in poor taste. 1t involves just abou
the same principle as that practicet
by the Germans when they tool
Belgians during the world war ant
required them to make munition
with which to continue conquerinl
Belgium and her allies. 1t Is.
method that cannot gain anythin,
because 1t is workable both ways
If people are levied upon to supper