The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-06-09
The Labor Strikes.

The present labor strike, extending
to fully one hundred thousand men in |
single channel of industry, is the most |
remarkable of all the many labor dis
turbances of the past. While it covers
the Western part of this State and all |
the country from Pittsburg to the Mis-
sissippi, the large iron Industries of |
eastern Pennsylvania and Philadelphia
are not affected by it, although they
are embraced in the same organization
that has taken issues with employees.
Another exceptional feature of the
strike is, that more than one hundred
thousand men decline labor at the
wages they received when the iron
market was better than it is now, while
thousands of other laborers are dis
charged from employment because de-
clining business compels the reduction
of labor. 1t is, indeed, an anomalous
condition of affairs, when the Pittsburg
ironworkers strike for increased wages,
and the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany, the unerripg barometer of trade
and business prosperity, has reduced
its labor roll to the number of many
hundreds on the line west of Pittsburg,
and many hundreds on the line between
Pittsburg and Philadelphia. These
anomalous facts are not in accidental
conflict. They 90 to the very marrow
of the issue, and will, at the end, be
controlling factors IN solving the grave
problem that now vexes employers and
employed.
| 1t is evident that the present strike
cannot last long. It's large proportions
are the best guarantee against pro-
tracted struggle, and the end will be,
as it always has been, the attainment
of Justice or approximate justice be-.
tween the disputants. If our present
declining markets and diminished de-
mand for the products of our striking
industries shall continue, there will be
no increase of wages, and intelligent
leaders in the labor movement will
speedily so understand it. If business
shall exhibit signs of revival and in
creased demand for iron, employers
will yield and pay the increased rates
until another depression shall come
} but is there any reasonable prospect of
business improving and demand in
; creasingH Every intelligent and dis.
,, passionate observer of the currents OF
trade, must confess his fears that the
products of our industries are more
likely to be cheaper than dearer fol
some time to come and if such appre-
tensions shall be realized, the labor
strike will simply deplete the treasure,
of the labor organizations until they
. are exhausted, and then the present o.
reduced wages will be accepted. Ii
short, the strike will be successful
: if there shall be permanent demand
i for iron at prices which will warran
: the increased wages demanded, and i
! must be unsuccessful under all othe
circumstances.
1t is creditable to the labor organi
cations of the country generally, an,
\ especially those in Pennsylvania, tina
! they have scrupulously maintained la,
and order in their dispute with employ
q ers. In Milwaukee they have degrad
= ed themselves and forfeited public SYN
:, pathy by turbulence and violence, bu
= in Pennsylvania and Maryland ther
y has been no shade of lawlessness. A
long as labor shall make its issue fo
: increased wages within the law, non
= can complain of its action. Whethe
!, wise or unwise, it is the exercise of q
:. unquestioned right; but whenever
assumes TO limit the rights of Other
, who may choose to contract for then
selves, or 10 retort TO violence in an
- form, it becomes its own worst enem
g and the enemy of public and priyat
: safety. There are evident signs of
= peaceful issue in this section of tn
. country. 1t may be delayed for week
n but the prudent expressions heard frol
= those who can speak responsibly fC
- both sides give reasonable hope of
i peaceful and perhaps cordial dete
y mination of the dispute.-Phil'
- Times.