The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1922-09-26
THE STRIKE INJUNCTION

The action of the federal government seeking an injunction
restraining the striking roaroad shopmen from interfering WIN
was logical development The surrender of Presl
dent Wilson ntimdated congress SIX years ago TO
demands and threats railroad broherhoods made
that this conflict woul dars and that the government "
called unon 70 assert its supremacy all classes, groups or IN
,.,- A.,
On the surface the action appears merely to break the
strike But it has a significance In the attempt OIL m
organized group to parayze fundamentally necessary to the lie
Of the nation there raised essentially the issue OF oVet anu
that challenge the government has accepted
When railroads of the country were turned PACK 10 p
the spring of 1920 they under the ne" a
nortaon act Esch Cummins law mann purpose "
this measure prevent teup of transportation by either t
companies or organized workers both With this aim created
the railroad labor board the function fheang and deerm
ing disputes the and their employees ano SO pre-
venting interruptions service clause prohibiting railroad strikes
was strongly supported but eliminated at demand OF the
while both companies and the unions opposed provision making
decisions of the board enforceable and the poclanS III
yielded that point also. $3.50
The unions accepted the law saghtway applied for wage
increases in addition made under government control and III
July 1920 board granted increases aggegang
wear It likewise sanctioned application of nationwide union
ne governing conditions work. advantage of the
unions and to the of the railroads and the public year
later the reduction the cost living having
cede subsequently the railroad freight rates weer
ng cut Last spring railroads asked further reductions
and which the unions were fu ea
decreases ordered for three classes of workers
Forthwith sshopmcn voted strike and ON July more th
half of quit By this action they undertook to paaze
transportation order force notification of the labor board
lawfully tribunal the agency authorized settle
wage dispute whose rulings the hpmn had
accepted when they gained by doing
longer between the railroads and their EN-
poyees and the The federal
strikers had Invested themselves OF the
right benefits its decisions and rules Pres
iden Harding stated the in formal proclamation on
Citing the railroad labor board an agency
and charged with the duty of adj
ustng disputes between railroad operators and employees ne de-
cared that men who choose accept employment under the terms
npuabe right to work that others
decline work. and he called all to refrain
from all interference with the lawful efforts to maintain interstate
transportation the carrying of the United States mails
Upon of these official the railroads posted
notices that strikers who did within specified time would
lose their seniority rights The struggle not ending the president
patient and persistent efforts mediation but without
avail attempts by the railroad broerhoods
promise failed the strikers rejecting the proposals. ManW out
breaks of and of interference with railroad service
parts the country became in the
trains abandoned locomotives damaged rails were
hopmn who had dregardd the strike order sub
ected intimidation The situation aggravated by
the coal strike with fuel shortage imminent the capacity of the
railroads coal when mining resumed being seriously
impaired In this President Harding told that
he would use all the power the maintain anpor
tation, and the injunction move naturally resulted
The essential that stands record that the strike
is against the railroads but against the The unions
have undertaken nul force the DEGREES tribunal created
by law by the method parayng transportation The fundamental
question: therefore, whether organized group shall permitted
defy the and impose its will upon nation
But another vital issue raised The country face
last with the question whether employed operating utilities
necessary existence of society have the right strike
this grave properly be death with injunction proceed
ngs will be widely hallenged Americans will doubt
tce of attempt settle by judicial degree which
the legislation by congress We think however
relied upon grant injunction goes
the legitimate bounds such order
designed interference with transportation and
nuly constitutional rights will approval loyal sup
port of all good cizens-Phiadelpha North American