Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-07-14
An Obligation of Government

7 I is a matter Of general regret that Samuel
l Gompers. who, head of the American
Federation OF Labor. has heretofore been
q conservative influence in tho cOunsels nf
organized labor, should have felt called
upon 10 assal tho Presidents proclamation
calling upon all classes of citizens to sup
por, the lawful agencies of government. ma
t!onal State and municipal, In their efforts
10 uphold the supremacy OF law in the face
of growing reports Of disorder hindcring the
FREQ movement of mails and commerce be-
tween the States II ~ difficult to SEQ by
what line of reasoning he reaches the con-
Clusion that the Presidents reference 10
all interference" with interstate commerce
means denial OF the right OF railroad en-
plOyes To quit work, if their quitting meant
the failure OF trains TO move. when ii is
recalled that the language used in the proc
lamation specifically uphods that right.
along with the equal right Of others to ac
cept employment under the terms of the
decision of the Labor Board The presi
dent nowhere denies the right OF employees
dissatisfied with the decision TO stop work.
hut he does declare the obligation OF Fed
cral. State and local governments TO al
ford protection TO those who respond 10
the Offer OF the railroads 10 accept employ
ment in the movement of their trains, as
they are by law required TO maintain their
established schedules.
III relation TO these duties the railroad
strike has two aspects One OF these af
fccts the executives of the several States and
tho agencies Of law enforcement under their
direction They are not directly concerned
in the issue raised by tile strike between the
ghcpmen and the Federal government Blu,
;hcy are responsible for the preservation of
order and the protection OF life and prop
crty within the States regarde IS OF this is
sue. Recognition OF this obligation is in
stanced by the Governors of five States, in
when there has been violent interference
with the movement Of trains and with the
tight OF workers who have entered the
service % the railroads TO operate them,
having called GU, national guard troops TO
such disorder. SO long "a the strikers OBJ
serve the law, and show respect for the
rights. the life and tho property OF others.
no occasion will arise for action aga!ns.
them by the State governments
But res possibility and duty OF tho Federal
government 20 beyond this. That is to say.
the strike is in Itself considered in direct op-
position 10 the processes Of Federal law.
and tho strikers and their sympathizcrs,
in some Instances, have carried their de-
iance OF decision OF government tribunal
10 the point OF lawcss Interference with tho
ordered conduc, OF the country's carrier sys-
tom, thereby creating menace 20 the pub
lie welfare and security. The Federal gov
eminent. in the public interest under au-
'hori'y bringing directly from tho people.
has assumed supervision over tho railroads
and made itself directly Responsible for con
'inuity o! transportation service Hence it
Is obligated no, only 10 pro;ec, life and
property but 20 see 10 IL that the trains
are run. As the agent OF tho people. it
may not evade these duties. SO long as the
strikers conNne their resistance 10 the
Labor Boards decision 70 a simple refusal
20 work for The railroads, they may not be
'.assed as law y!o.ators, but when they go
o"i"ud lhi7 and create reign Of terror
."r 'hose who arc willing o work and other
"-e .n'eriele with ,he free movement, of
"a" mails and interstate commerce they
.i.ciF me penalties o: outraged law, and all
~" powers " government must be lnvOked
70 punish and suppress that Kind o! law
.cEsness.