Milford chronicle., 1960-04-15

health--and avoidance of the Ostrich-with-
its-head-in-the-sand attitude when something
goes awry with our mental or physical equip
ment.
CLOSE LOOK AT STEEL
The crippling steel strike of 1859 focused
a white light on the broad matter of collec-
tive bargaining in the steel industry. When
this most basic of all industries ground to a
halt, and stayed that way for weeks on end,
the public became increasingly aware that
there were deep undercurrentS of trouble.
Expert observers had been aware of this
for many years. The fact that such under
currents were swirling through the industry
was painfully apparent. The exact nature
and extent of the problems involved were not
and are not yet-knoWn. Without that
knowledge, those seeking to bring about
change in the public interest are considerably
handicapped.
1t is most encouraging, therefore, to learn
that Secretary of Labor James P Mitchell
has begun wide-ranging study of collective
bargaining in steel. The survey, which will
require months for completion, is expected to
probe deeply into the maneuverings of labor
and management during the past 20 years
or more.
The study will be conducted by Labor De-
partment experts, but with the aid of uni
versity professors who specialize in certain
findings for a more limited study made while
the 1859 strike, was in progress. From all
this there should emerge solid understanding
of factors that have made steel bargaining
such a succession of crises. And better ways
of dealing with steel problems can be built
on the foundation of this understanding.
STEP BACKWARD
Legislation is now pending in Congress
L.
operating money-losing and little-used pass
enger trains. And the railroad industry,
speaking through the Association of Ameri-
can Railroads, has condemned it as "step
backward" One that "could sabotage efforts
to revive and maintain strong passenger
train services"
The deficits run up by losing passenger
train services have been major cause of the
railroads critical financial plight. The loss
since World War IL has totaled the astron-
omical figure of SIS billion. No less an au-
thority than the Interstate Commerce Com
mission has found that losses of such proper
tions endanger "the present and future well
fare of the railroad industry"
The rail service in question were estab-
liShed before road and air carriers existed
and before the present age in which every
family, virtually speaking, has its own per-
sonal transportation in the form of a car
Regulations were heaped on them by state
and federal governments in the early days
when they were considered a transportation
monopoly. But those conditions no longer
prevail and they should now be freed to COM
pete with other forms of transport. They
should be allowed to discontinue unused SER
vices and devote their resources to getting
back on the road to financial health in order
to render the best possible service to the ma
tiOn.
N&o~~~
GARDENING OFFERS REWARDS
About this time of<year it is we'll to urge
all readers of the Chronicle to consider the
possible pleasure to be obtained from flowers,
fruits and vegetables. 1t is also worth noting
that, sometimes, such activity can develop a
monetary profit.
We are not much concerned, in this ar
ticle, with the economic gains of gardening
There are other values that come to the in
dividual who seeks to develop something of
beauty and perfection in accordance with
the laws of nature.
There are countless homes on lots that
need the charm that can come only from
well-appointed surroundings. 1t may take
some years to develop an attractive lawn or
garden, but the task will bring satisfaction,
however long delayed. Besides, what you do
with your lot will add to the natural beauty
of our state.
When it comes to vegetable gardening,
one must admit that the. process involves
work At the same time, many business men
would be physically benefited by some exer-
else. We know, from hearing them boast,
that the amateur gardeners take as much de-
light in their prize specimens as fishermen
who talk so much about the zone that got
away"