The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-07-08
THE POLITICAL STRENGTH OF
LABOR'S LEADERS

The Cleveland radical conference
has endorsed Senator LaFollette's
independent presidential candi-
dacy, and he will now proceed to
pick his running mate. We hope
this high honor goes to Warren S.
Stone, grand chief of the Brother
hood Of Locomotive Engineers. We
think 1t would do the country good
to learn just how far organized la
bor is ready to go at the call Of its
leaders.
Union members of course are
willing to follow their leaders on
labor matters. They Afe willing to
obey orders as to wage demands.
strikes, and other tactical matters.
Put that they are willing to obey
as a unit, or as any approximation
to a unit, in political matters has
not been demonstrated; and We
think a clear demonstration of the
extent OF their obedience would be
beneficial
The extent Of their obedience
| would be clearly demonstrated If
Mr.. Stone went on the ticket with
Senator LaFollette and If Mr.. NJ
Adoo were rejected by the Demo-
cratic convention. Nobody has
any serious thought that Mr.. La
Toilette can be elected. But it
would make vast difference in his
showing if Mr.. McAdoo were NOM
mated, for Mr.. McAdoo is railroad
labor's candidate; and the strong
est LaFollette support comes from
railroad labor.
Were Mr.. McAdoo nominated, the
railroad labor vote would be d.
vided. We should like to see 1t
concentrated behind Senator La
Toilette and Mr. Stone. And mas
much as Mr.. Stone is friendly with
the American Federation of Labor
the LaFollette-Stone ticket would
receive as much strength as the
leaders of organized labor could
command
We think the country ought to
know just what that strength 1t
How far will organized labor, and
especially railroad labor, obey its
union leaders in political matters
The United States now has thu
best railroad service in its history
1t has the best railroad service any
country has ever had. For the
first time in history, American
railroads have been able to &C
through their peak period-the per
iod of crop movements-and give
100 per cent service. No longer j:
there any car shortage problem
In the face of tremendous obstacles
in the postwar years. the railroads
have made this magnificent prog
ress.
will railroad labor vote as ;
unit to check that progress? viii
it vote for the LaFollette program
Of making an enormous reduction
in the valuations of the railroad!
and of making a corresponding re
duction in the net return which
the railroads are permitted t
earn?
Such reductions would proven
the carriers from refunding thei
bond issues as these came due.
, would probably throw the railroads
luIO DdukI upICy. ~ WOulu lHuIuc
their credit. The monstrous re
suits would be felt by the entire
country; but it would be felt espe
cially by the railroad stakeholder!
and the railroad bondholders. and
Immediately after them, by railroad
: labor. ~
That as the meaning of the La
FollettetStone program. Will rail
road labor blindly follow its bline
leaders? Will all organized labor
follow?
The LaFollette Stone tickle
would allow the union leaders tt
reveal their undivided strength a
it's utmost. The country needs te
know just what that strength is
Chicago Journal of Commerce.