The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-07-20
ANEW STRIKE

The president of the street railway company
has gone strike.
He has struck against any attempt by public
sentiment to demand a thorough investigation of
the operation of the public utility he heads.
He has struck against the theory that citizens
have any legitimate interest in fundamental justice
in this city in regard to public utilities.
He has struck against the principle that there
can be something higher than technical verbiage in
written contracts
The people Of this community owe debt of
gratitude to the five outstanding, citizens who at
tempted to bring peace TO the street controversy
They owe that debt even If there is nothing
accomplished than their appeal ito the Governor to
bring mediation and inquiry.
They owe that debt because 1t has revealed the
attitude of the head of that company toward the
public and toward this city.
The committee tried to investigate. 1t found
that who struck contending that they
we're underpaid They found that the who
struck, less than half of all employed charged thai
the wage paid here is lower than in other cities
lower than paid for similar work and character in
this city, too low to maintain a family in decency
without working seventy hours week.
They found that the charge made that there
opportunity for collective bargaining such as
is Endorsed by President Coolidge.
And they asked the Governor of the State to act
What they found which was more important
the attitude of the street car company
The head of that company, within few hours
of the filing of the report by these citizens openly
defed the Governor to name committee.
He took the attitude that the men who struck
are no longer employees to be considered in any ar
bitraton.
He said there was nothing to arbitrate and de-
fed the Governor to act
He insisted that the individual contract with
each employe is binding, that the law under which
the Governor is asked act not applicable to his
company.
And despite the claim that new men have been
employed sufficient to operate all and able to
run all cars he ends with the suggestion that the men
who struck be advised to back and apply for
work
He made that defiance despite the fact that the
manufacturers Association Had just posted offer
OF $1,000 for evidence of dynamting and violence
offer which was timely and needed.
No friend of the who struck will believe
that they could gain point by dynamite. That offer
will curb, perhaps any hot-headed and ill-advised
sympathizers from attempting terrorism It will
help to prevent disorder. There must be no rioting
or terrorism
But when it is necessary to make such an offer
1t is hardly the time to refuse full inquiry.
The people Of this city want to know the facts
that there may be answer that will be permanent
The people are entitled to service from capable
men and experienced men. III.
The people entitled to ride with men who
are drawing decent and a. living wage.
The people are entitled to protection against
constant recurrence of strikes and disruption of their
utilities
The people entitled to some inquiry as long
as the operation of is being waged upon a war
basis with bonuses for service and with police com
PEELED to give large part of their time to this one
institution.
The suggestion Of the citizens committee for
board of inquiry named by the Governor is not
drastic.
1t is no time for technicalites 1t is no time for
bubbles and weasel words
There II but one question and that is whether
the men who operate the street cars for the people
OF indianapolis are working under conditions which
those who ride would wish them to live
Permanent peace and substantial justice in tho
public utilities must be had These men who struck
may be all wrong. These man may be misguided
kickers. They may be msled and tools of ingenious
trouble makers Their claims may be all wrong
But the one quick way to let the people of this
city. who finally pay the bills know all the facts
and to give them chance to base sentiment and
opinion on them, has been suggested by these cti
zens who asked for board of arbitration and in.
quiry.