We are experiencing “sit-down” strikes at this time by the railroads. A sit-down strike could cost the economy more than $2 billion a day and disrupt deliveries of all kinds of goods and passenger traffic nationwide. Railroad workers are asking for several recommendations. There are 12 unions involved that cover over 21,000 workers. The Presidential Emergency Board recommended a five-year deal, retroactive to 2020, that includes 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses. They want unions to take their concerns about attendance policies, paid leave and expenses to arbitration or to negotiate separately with the railroads. Unions say their work-loads have become unbearable after railroads eliminated nearly one-third of their work forces over the past six years.
A strike would idle some 7,000 freight trains a day run by CSX, Union Pacific, BNSG, Norfolk Southern, Kansas city Southern and other railroads and disrupt passenger operations nationwide because Amtrak and half of all computer rail systems rely at least partly on tracks owned by the freight railroads. In order to handle all the freight that railroads deliver, 467,000 trucks a day would be needed. It would be impossible for trucks o pick up the slack.
I brought up in March of 1937, there were also sit-down strikes. It was at this time that the Marcus News brought up a new column, “On the For Corners” with the concern of sit-down strikes.
March 11, 1937—“On the Four Corners”. In the initial appearance of this column, the gentlemen are given the opportunity of expressing their opinion in answer to questions presented. However, next week we hope if this column meets with enough of the readers’ interests, to get the ladies’ angle on the subjects under discussion.
The question for last Saturday were: (1) What do you thing of sit-down strikes. (2) What is your favorite radio program? (3) If you knew that the next ten winters were going to be just like the last two, would you stay in Iowa?
The first person interviewed on The Four Corners was Roger Leavitt and to reply to the question to sit-down-strikes, he said, “No, I wouldn’t endorse the
March 11, 1937—“On The Four Corners”. In the initial appearance of this column, the gentlemen are given the opportunity of expressing their opinions, in answer to questions presented. However, next week we hope, if the column meets with enough of the reader’s interest, to get the ladies’ angle on the subjects under discussion.
The questions for last Saturday were: (1) What do you think of sit-down strikes? (2) What is your favorite radio program? (3) If you knew that the next ten winters were going to be just like the last two, would you stay in Iowa?
The first person interview on the Four corners was Roger Leavitt, and in reply to the question about sit-down strikes he said, “No, I wouldn’t endorse them.” In regard to his favorite program on the air, “Eddie Cantor is about as good as any,” concluded Mr. Leavitt. Lastly, would he stay in Iowa—he said, “Yes, sure!”
Carl Kuehn, of north of town, gave the following opinion on the strike subject: “I think it’s all right if they can get what they want. I’ve worked in a factory and know how it is.” He said on the radio question, “Major Bowes’ is a real nice program,” and I regards to his staying through ten more severe Iowa winters—“I don’t think I would.”
Mr. Kuehn then “turned the tables” on the reporter and asked, “Why don’t they smooth off these streets so the farmers can get their eggs in town without scrambling them?” With his permission, I include his question in the column since this inquiry seemed to be rather general among the farmers in town for the day and might serve as a suggestion to the street committee.
Alfred Brandt answered the strike question thusly: “To tell the honest truth, I don’t know much about it. In the second place, if a man don’t like his job, let him quit. It don‘t look right to me. You can’t always get just what you want.” He remarked too that he believed in some cases of strikes for higher wages, “If and employed can’t pay it, he can’t pay it,” and further more that if wages are raised, we have to pay for the raise in higher prices on commodes. Mr. Brandt agreed with Mr. Kuehn on the radio program—Major Bowes being his favorite, and in answer to the third question, “It wouldn’t be a question of ‘think I’d stay here’, I’d have to—couldn’t get out! At this point in the interview, Mrs. Brandt joined the group and when asked what she thought about the last question, she added—“I think I would, it could be worse.”
Fred Ritchie and Peter Peterson were other members of the above mentioned group, but just before the reporter got around the circle, the former “silently stole away” and the latter flatly refused to comment for publication. Perhaps these fellows will be in a more talkative mood some future Saturday.
Albert DeBoer of south of town opened his comment on the sit-down strike business with a touch of humor, having said, “I wish I could sit down everyday!” and then continued while considering the matter more seriously, with, “I don’t know—We all like to get all we can. They need it as bad as we do.” His favorite radio program is Fred Allen’s and he seldom misses the daily news from WHO. As far as staying in Iowa through ten more hard winters, he said “Yes, Ma’am! Just stick ‘er out. It’s as good as any other state. There are troubles everywhere and it’s lots worse in some other places.”
William Dorr of southwest of Marcus answered the first question very much to the point with “I think they’d better get back up and go to work. Better slide along the way they were going.” His favorite radio program? The Man On The Street broadcast from WMT, Waterloo, with that man—Mac Elroy, and in answer to the last inquiry, he said, “I don’t believe I would. I’d go some place where it’s warmer.”
“I think it’s the bunk! It depends on the company they’re working for,” was Johnny Hamilton’s opinion on the strike matter. As to the second question, he said, “It’s a tie between Bing Crosby’s Hour, the Little Theatre off Times Square, and Hollywood Hotel.” About leaving Iowa’s eccentric weather, “It all depends. If I could move away, I would—to better climate.”
Matt Schmillen said in regard to the sit-down strikes, “I think they’re all right, if they’re at Joe Broblek’s”. (Whoops that sounds like a plug!) His favorite radio program is none other than the one with that famous bazooka player—Bob Burns, and to the last question he replied, definitely, “No! I’d get out of here!”
When asked what he thought of sit-down strikes, W.J. Roethler of south of town, said, “Oh, boy, I don’t think much of it. I think they’d better keep going at the wages they got.” “Amos and Andy top the list of radio programs in his estimation, and about enduring ten more cold-cold winters here, he remarked, “I wouldn’t like it, but I’d go where all the rest of ‘em go.” “California?” the reporter inquired. He answered, “You betcha!”
Mayor Herbert commented, when first approached about the strike question. “They seem to be all right for the person that was down.” But when asked if he thought them justifiable, he said, “No, I don’t.” In regard to radio programs, the mayor said, “Really, I don’t take much interest in any of them, except the News.” And his answer to the last question was, “I don’t know where else I’d go. I was in California one winter and it was almost as cold as it is here—that is the cold was as penetrating.”
Answering the strike question, band-leader Carl Sagness gave his opinion as follows: “Now, I suppose that depends on what they’re striking for. No, I really don’t’ think much of them. There are other means of getting what they want. The trouble with that is they go to extremes.” His favorite program via the air waves in the one featuring Fred Allen’s beloved friend, Jack Benny. As to whether he’d remain in Iowa for ten more winters like the last two, Mr. Sagness said, “Well, yes, because I’d probably have to,” and when asked where he’d go if he could leave, he added, “West. Matter of fact, I hope to be there someday.”
Wm. Miller of near Cleghorn, jokingly expressed his sentiments on the strike matter as follows: “That’s great! I’m on one of them myself, Hasn’t got me worried.” About a favorite radio program, “Major Bowes! I’ve got some place to go every night but Thursday, and I never miss him!”, was Mr. Miller’s comment, and as far at the Iowa winters are concerned, he expressed the belief that we’d finally got used to them, and said, “I believe I’d stay—I couldn’t get out!”
J.P. Evans was another businessman interviewed. He expressed his feelings towards the strike question as follows: I don’t think much of them. I don’t think other people have the right to take possession of other people’s property. Labor has a right to strike once in awhile, but in other ways than destroying and taking possession of the property of others.” His favorite radio program is Fred Allen’s and his answer to the last question, “Well, I’d probably be compelled to-though I wouldn’t want to.” When asked if he thought there was any possibility of ten more winters like the last two, he said, “I don’t have any idea there will be—these have been the unusual over a span of years.”
Joe Wagner of northeast of Marcus disposed of the first question with “I think they’re the bunk—especially when they hold a sit-down strike to get a wife.” Seriously commenting on the general strike situation he added, “It takes the right away from the owner.” He doesn’t have a favorite radio program since he stated that there’s haven’t been hooked up this winter and they’re fishermen in the summer. His answer to the last question—“I don’t think so, but I don’t know where I’d go. I know if we have another dry summer, I’ll go to the poor house!”
Frank Huckert of north of town was the last interviewed Saturday. About strikes, he said, “I haven’t much use for them.” His favorite radio program—Lum and Abner, and Amos and Andy, and I answer to the last question, his remakes were: “I guess I’d have to. I’ve been figuring on going to Texas, if I go anywhere.
And so winds up the first, “On The Four Corners.” If you like it, or don’t like it, or have suggestions—don’t hesitated to let us know. Our aim is to publish features which are of interest to you—the readers. Do you like this one?
The reporter wishes to thank everyone of those who contributed to the column this week. They’re willingness to cooperate in expressing their opinions on the questions asked, was greatly appreciated.
Continue in next weeks paper
March 18, 1937—“On The Four Corners”. The ladies “have the floor” in this week’s Four Corners, though they were all interviewed in the various businesses as it was an ordinary disagreeable blustery March day to be interviewed on the corners.
The questions up for discussion Saturday were: (1) With the exception of lights, which electrical appliance do (or would) you value most of all? (2) What is your opinion of women in the business world, in relation to the unemployment situation and the idea that perhaps the fairer sex should stick to domestic work and leave business to the men? (3) Which do you think are the better drivers, women or men? Why?
Mrs. Fred Mossman, of southeast of town, was the first to be approached by the reporter this week. Her answer to the first question was, “I think I’d rather have a washing machine. A refrigerator is a wonderful thing but a fellow has to have clean clothes once in a while.” In regards to girls in business, she said, “That all depends, but nowadays it’s a fifty-fifty proposition, and alright as long as they need a job.” She explained further that she believed it was only fair that girls carry on in their chosen profession after they have spent time and money in getting an education. “Women by far!” said Mrs. Mossman in reply to the third question. She said “Statistics show that women are more careful drivers. Men gaze around too much. I know I’m a better driver than my husband—but I can’t get him to admit it.”
I regard to question No.1, Mrs. L.M. Miller said, “I’d hate to give up my vacuum cleaner. To be truthful, I wouldn’t want to do without any of them.” About the second question, her comment was, “I think a girl should work if she’s qualified and has to support herself. A good many put themselves through school and have loans to pay back, and if their parents send them, they don’t want to continue supporting them after they are out of school. If I were riding with a stranger, I’d choose a man, but I do think men will take chances where women won’t,” said Mrs. Miller in regard to men or women being the better drivers.
Mrs. George Grauer of south of town was the next to be interviewed. Answering the first question, she said, “I think a refrigerator, because I believe it would mean more to me all the way around in the economy of saving steps.” Her comment on the question of girls in business was, “We are living in a day in age when they have equal rights, but it would seem that girls have a wider scope than boys—there are a lot of things they can do in the home, but it’s hard to get girls to do housework as a job.” She also explained that it is her opinion that single girls should by all means have those jobs which are held by married women whose husbands can support them. Mrs. Grauer said, “I do think as a rule that women are more temperamental than men, and men are probably the better drivers. However, there are lots of good drivers among women.”
Mrs. J.N. Ernst of south of town said if she had to get along without all but one or two electrical appliances, she would rather keep her electric washer and churn. Answering the second question about girls in business, she said, “It depends on their ability. Anyone has the right to work if they can get the job.” As to the better drivers, “I really believe men are the better because they get more experience,” was Mrs. Ernst’s comment.
Mrs. Harold Kloster of south of town said that in the electrical appliance line, she believes she would really rather have a refrigerator. “It would save a lot of steps in the summer” is the reason for her choice. About girls in the field of business, her remarks were: “It’s according to whether they need the work or not. Some girls need jobs as much as men do.” Mrs. Kloster’s answer to the third question was accidently not put down in black and white by the reporter and therefore to avoid a miss-quotation, we’ll “skip” it in print.
About electrical appliances, Mrs. Helen Miller’s comment was, “I think possibly I’ve had the most pleasure out of the radio. A washer and iron would be a greater saving than the vacuum cleaner—but I couldn’t hardly decide which one to choose. In awfully hot weather, it would probably be a refrigerator.” Answering the second question, she said, “There are two sides to the question—sometimes girls deserve the jobs more, sometimes boys. It’s hard to determine what is best.” Mrs. Miller answered the question about drivers, with reference to her recent sojourn in California, as follows: “I’ve found some excellent drivers among the women, and some excellent drivers among the men—there are good ones on both sides. I had a woman driver in a trip about the city of San Francisco when the pavement was very slippery and as a driver, she couldn’t be beat.”
Mrs. Paul Bierman of near Fielding said in reply to the question of her choice in electrical appliances: “That’s something I want badly, a vacuum cleaner!” (Just in case some vacuum cleaner salesman may read this and plan to camp on the Bierman’s doorstep—here’s a bomb for your hopes—they haven’t electricity as yet!) She also remarked that she has a kerosene refrigerator and a Maytag washer which she wouldn’t exchange for the same in electric models. (Incidentally the last was an unsolicited endorsement and should deserve a treat from the local agency.) Her answer to the second question: “I don’t think that a married woman should have a position at all, when her husband has employment. If a young lady is capable of holding a job and is supporting herself, she should have a job and draw the same wages as a man would.” Considering the question on drivers, Mrs. Bierman said, “It depends on the individual—women are equally as capable of handling a car as men.”
Mrs. Joe Kramer of south of town said her choice of electrical appliances would be a stove, since this would eliminate the continuous job of carrying fuel and the excessive heat in the kitchen in he summer. About the girls working, she said, “Girls should have the right to work as well as boys, and I don’t think there should be a preference between married and single girls as long as they’re capable and they’re working doesn’t disrupt the home life.” In answer to the third question, she said, “I suppose I’ll have to say men, since I’ve had an accident and my husband hasn’t.”
Helen was interviewed while in the midst of giving a permanent wave and so her answer to the first question was, “I’d have to keep my permanent waving machine.” Then she added, considering the appliances in the home, “I believe I’d rather keep my electric refrigerator.” Helen drew a bye on the second question (as she was a woman in business). As far as drivers are concerned, she said, “there’s no question –women are better. From the back seat, they’re swell!” Seriously, she stated that she thought it was a toss-up some women being better drivers than men, and vice versa.
Mrs. Forrest Simons of near Cleghorn said her choice of electrical appliances would be either an electric stove or washing machine. Her comments on the second question were: “I do think if home duties aren’t too heavy and she wants to work, it’s alright. If it is not necessary that she work, she should give other people a chance, but I believe boys and girls are on equal footing in getting jobs.” She responded to the third question thusly, “The women, of course. They don’t have so many business deals on their minds, but have their minds on their driving.”
Mrs. Homer Weimer of near Marcus believes a vacuum cleaner would be the first electrical appliance she’d like to have. On the matter of girls working, she said, “It’s okay for girls to hold jobs—they have to live as well as men.” On the third question, Mrs. Weimer was very brief but conclusive, “Men!” she said.
Miss Anna Kielhorn was the last one to be questioned. She says she’d keep the washer and iron in preference to other electrical appliances. In regard to girls in business, she said, “Girls have an equal right to work. They have to have money to spend, too.” As far as which drivers are better, “Men are, I think. They might take more chances, but they get by with them,” remarked Miss Kielhorn.
Like the gentlemen last week, this time there were two or three women who wouldn’t “talk”, a fact which should be of interest to those men who cling to that time-worn belief that such an occurrence will never be recorded in the annals of history. So you see, you who didn’t talk, put one over on them for us, and to those of you who did—many thanks from the reporter.