New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-07
THE GREAT STRIKE.

The letter of THE TRIBUNE's correspondent
at Pittsburg, published yesterday, shows that
unwelcome truths which we stated month
ago have begun to impress themselves upon
the iron-workers. They see, as was then stated,
that the time was not favorable for a strike for
higher wages. The price of iron does not ad-
vance, though SO large proportion OF the
rolling mills are idle. But 1t was predicted
at the outset that the falling demand Tor IRON,
and the readiness OF foreign makers to sell at
prices close to the market, would make any
advance difficult, and instances are now gwen
of sales and offers of foreign iron at prices
below the American card rate. Eastern mills,
and those that are at work at the West nave
been able 10 supply the reduced demand, ana
it is IA disputed question whether the quantity
made is not even now greater than can al
present be sold. One mill, which has been at
work with non-union men, has stopped work
for time, giving lack of orders as reason.
The course Of prices certainly indicates that
there is no urgent demand for more iron than
is row offered.
A great number of workmen have now been
idle for thirty-six days. 1t was estimated at
the outset that the wages of the men rendered
idle by the strike had averaged over $lOO,OOO
per day. Probably the strike has already cost the
workmen $3,O00,000, and they would think
il terrible injustice if they were forced, by
any Government OF other organization than q
Trades Union, to sacrifice sum so large for
any purpose. Thus far, the loss 10 the manu-
facturcrs has been relatively small the bust
ness was such that they could net count upon
sales at full prices, or upon orders Tor iuil
time, If the strike had not occurred and must
have sacrificed much if not the whole OF their
profits in making sales upon falling market.
They have improved the opportunity by
making needed repairs, but with the market
in its present state, do not appear in any haste
to start their works Nor have the men shown
any disposition to yield. To all appearance,
fine strike is as likely to last several weeks
or months as it was Juue /, when it began,
executing that the resources OF the men arc
diminished.
Does it pay the workmen to maintain a
Trades Union for such performance as tins 7
They. can see now that their own president
and most intelligent men bers were right In adj
vising that the strike was ill-timed. All that
they now see, however, was as well known then
as it is now to other people, and ought to nave
been carefully considered by any Union. The
men know best by what arguments and errone-
GUS statements the majority was won to order a
strike at this time. They know, also, how
apt the majority is to take sides with those
who urge a beligerent course, and how hard
it is for a prudent and intelligent minority
TO make sound reasons heard in such body.
Once more does it pay for men 10 bind them
fv ar
wrong, with reason or without any Does 1t
pay for them to pledge themselves to
sacrifice 911 week to married and SO to un
married mcn-thc sums said to be paid by two
organizations to the striking iron-workers who
are members of both-whenever the ma
jority at any point chooses TO quit work
Cannot intelligent American workmen devise
some wiser plan than this Tor protecting their
interests-some plan, at least, that will not
involve SO great Il sacrifice OF tEeir freedom