The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-08
The Gas strike-Orderiy Position Of
the Discharged Mon.

the Discharged Mon.
Capital and labor are shedding faint light
upon the rights and equities of their relations
in the strife at the gas works of the New York
Company Violence was anticipated yester-
day, when the discharged strikers were to be
paid of; but they disappointed the expecta-
ton, and, possibly. the hope of their foes, by
taking their money peacefully and entirely alb
staining from any breach of the peace, which
would have furnished their opponents legal
advantage in the struggle Demanding sim
ply their lawful as well as natural right
to make eight hours labor days work in an
atmosphere where it seems almost incredible
that men can live, SO long as they are not be-
trayed into illegal conduct the strikers have
the sympathy of the public, in spite of the
annoyance of Pickering gas lights and
the necessity to use candles and lamps.
1t needed last night only look
at the dim glimmer Of the gas burners wher-
ever the supply was from the New York Com
pany to convince any observer that its propo-
sition to furnish its usual quantity by the
labor of the raw Italians substituted for the
strikers was failure Amply forewarned of
the coming demand of its employees, the COM
pany utterly neglected to have ct hand labor
reserve upon whom it could rely as capable
by experience to carry on the regular manu-
facture and fulfil its duty to the public. This
company has not the reputation of making q
gas at any time which can be called brilliant
though it is not modest in the matter of price
That flowing last night was barely equal in
lighting quality to fair tallow candles
Surely corporation SO wealthy can afford to
give its customers good gas and to deal with
its laborers as human beings instead Of dumb
cattle. lifts work is to be continuous it should
provide three sets of men, each to be eight
hours employed This is only what is due to
humanity. Safety to life and health impera-
lively forbid longer exposure to the blazing
heat of the retort rooms, and this corporation,
which has long thriven on a monopoly,
should be prompt to accord to its laborers the
right to live as well as to work. Our law
makes eight hours days work. Can the
New York Gas Company hold itself above
law? Gas-making requires certain amount
of skill. Till the raw men can attain it this
company expects the public to tolerate half
light, with constant liability to total depriva-
ton. 1t has no special claims upon the graft
tude of our citizens, and if it continues to
defy the enforcement Of the Eight-Hour law
there may be formed against it such an opposi-
ton as will endanger those chartered privi-
leges which have enriched it. Better abate
somewhat the dividends to stockholders, fur
nish the public a rich and brilliant light, COM
ply cheerfully with the spirit of the Eight
Hour law, and SO reduce the daily task Of
employees that they may suffer as little as pos
sible from the rigors Of their exceptionally
severe labor. BY adopting this course the gas
companies would still maintain profitable
business and relieve themselves of the general
odium in which they are held. So long as the
strikers continue to be guided by moderation
and a due respect for the law they may be
confident of the public sympathy in their
efforts to secure their rights.