SMALL GROUP TIED UP WHOLE NATION.

Chronicle (Levin), 27 May 1946, Page 8

SMALL GROUP TIED UP WHOLE NATION.

Receivcd Sunday, 7.0 p.m. AVASIIIXGTOfs, May 25. "If sufficient workers to operate the trains have not. returned by 4 p.m, on Saturday, I have no alternative but to operate the trains by using every means within my power. I shall call on the army to asslst iii operating the trains and shall ask the arined forcjes to futnish protection for every niau who heeds the country's call in this liour of need," said President Truman when broaclcasting regardiug the strike. He added: "I come before the Ameriean peo])le at a time of great crisis eaused by a group oi men who plaeed private intercsts above the nation 's welfare. I assitme the president of the Brotherhood of EngineerS, Mr. Alvanley Johnston, and the president of the Brotherhood of Trainsmen,' Mr: A. F. Whitney, know the terrible havoc their strike decision eaused alid the even more extreme suffering that will i-esult iii fiiture, but it is ineoneeivable that the rank and file r'Calise the terrifying situation created." President Truman, after describing the domestic disruption, emph asised that 100,000 tous of grain for starving Europeans was held ujd by the strike, cndangering the lives oi millions.^ He emph asised that he was alwavs the friend of labour blit in any coiltiict between oue partieular group and the country as a whole, the country's welfare must come tirst. "It is ineoneeivable in our demoeracy that two men should be placed in a position where they can stifle the economy and tiltimately destroy the country," he added. "The Government is challenged as seldom before and 1 must meet the challcnge or confess impotenee.

"1 would regret deeply il the union Jeaciers aets snouia erca.te. such ,.a \>m.ve of ill-will and desire for vengeiincc, that/ther.e , should- result' ill-advised restrictive legislation tliat woulci catise. labour to lose thoSe- gains which were rightfull^'m'ade dui^ng' the. ' years. Tliis is not a contest between labour and management but ! a contest between a small group of men and the Government. The ! railroads must resume operations. "As President I call on the strikers to return to their jobs. The men's duty to the country goes beyond any desire for personal °ain. ' ' The Ameriean Assoeiated Press announeed that the Government has offered to grant the railway brotherhoods ehanges _ in ! working rules reeommended by the administration 's fact findiug i Commission as well as the 181 eents hourly wage increase previotisly offered and aecepted by the operators. The latest offer \vas aeceptable to the brotherhoods but was rejected by the operators who elaim it would cost 800,000,000 dollars annunlly above the cost of the wage increase.