Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-06-16
A Quiet Strike.
Philadelphia Record.

Beyond the Alleghenies the iron strike
still continues with some tokens Of dispo-
tion on the part of manufacturers and en-
ployes to come to an adjustment Of differ
ences. Though 1t is estimated that not less
than forty thousand from workers are en-
gagged in this movement, it has been attend
ed by very little violence or disorder. The
weather is delightful, and the strikers are
making the most OF 1t. There are pleasant
picnic grounds in the neighborhcod of Pitts
burg and Cleveland, and excursion rates are
cheap. In making excursions With their fam
lilies to eT Joy the pure air OF the country, the
UNEMPLOYED iron workers are making a
much more rational use of their idle time
than in creating disturbances and attempt
ing to cOerce laboreTs who are willing to
accept the proffered wages. Ia the mean
me the owners of maoy iron establishments
are aVailing themselves of the strike to
make needed repairs. Ia fact the whole
thing proceeds with such good order and
system that evil minded persons are dis
posed to the belief tha a thorough under
standing ex SITS between the managers of the
strike and portionrof the manufacturers.
1t is evident that the iron manufacturers
regard the present ssTike with philosophic
unconcern. The taErf checks competition
from without until prices rise so high as to
sweep away this barrier to importation.
While the strike lasts the margin between
on the hands of the home manufacturer be-
comes daily more valuable, and he is able in
the end to cover all hts losses by high prices.
Under a revenue system the manufacturers
of iron would not BE able to turn a labor
strike to their own advantage against the
great mass of consumers. Under the I'M
natural stimulus of protection prices rise
beyond the purchasing power Of consumers,
over-prOductiOn follows, there is glut In
the Market and finally strike, resulting in
loss of employment to thousands of work
iugmen until the balance is again restored.
With revenue system such sudden fuctua-
tions in q great trade, the products Of
which are of first necessity 10 civilization,
would be at least far more infrequent, an1
wages of labor would be more steady and
secure.
The iron workers have been easily per-
suaded that they, too, have their advantage
ia this city as well as the manufacturers
But when they count the enhanced cost of
nearly all that they consume they will find
that all the protection for them is soaked out
before they get half way around the vicious
circle. To maintain the protective system
every head Of family must now pay fifteen
dollars a year unnecessarily in taxes, as
seen in the surplus of $3.50 100000 in the
National Treasury. Is it necessary 70 seek
further for the cause OF the existing dis
turbance in labor when this enormous drain
is mauo HS6UiCsSlJ upon us productive en6r-
gies? Bat &c will not do to interfere with
this ruthless system of taxation lest the pro-
tective system on which it rests be dis
turbed.
In the manipulation of the iron trade
through tariffs and strikes, the important
element-the great consuming multitude
is not considered, or is considered only to
ascertain how It may be most tffectually
plundered. Yet the consumers have the
chief interest, and should have The last word
In this question To them 1t is a calamity
that the great material agent Of civiliz ttion
should have been brought by bad policy
under the control OF speculation and mo.
nopoly. When the price OF iron is unduly
forced in the market it causes the arrest OF
enterprises Of the greatest moment and
utility, and diminished the comforts of mil
lions Of men. Some Of these days the con-
sumers will awake to their true interest in
this question, and then they viii adjust It on
rational principles, in which the rights of
all-capitalists and laborers, producers and
consumers-will be recognized. II strikes
should then take place those who engage in
them or cause them will have to suffer their
share of the attendant mischiefs and losses
along with the great consuming public.