New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-11
GErrLNG DESEER1TE.

The striking tClcgfaphtih mate great HIS
take in ordering out the railway operators.
This step had been repeatedly named
as the last and GROWING proof of tine
power Of the Brotherhood, 10 which they
were anxious not to resort n IL could be
avoided because Of the intocrable incon-
venieuce it would cause the public. But when
il was reluctantly taken at last. tie inevitable
inference was that the strikers had fespaired
of SUCCESS by other aud less Objectionable
means. The strikers themselves cannot escape
dishearte nment when they find that this last
resort has been deemed necessary, and that 1t
has failed For its failure Is now evident. Not
a single railroad company has been seriously
embarrassed, even for day, 10y the withdrawal
Of the small number Of operators who have
chosen TO obey the orders Of the Brotherhood
II would seem that the strikers committee not
withstanding its previous boasts, must have
known that it was doubtful whether any con
siderable proportion Of the station operators
would throw up their positions, and hesltated
TO make demand upon them, less because of
the consequent annoyance TO the public than
because IT doubted the result.
Reflection must convince reasonable operators
that the demand was one that ought not To have
bren made Nearly all the station operators
have other duties apart from those OF tele-
graphic service. They are under obligations to
the railroad companies to perform these duties
faithfully, and many Of them are under bonds.
1t would be n great injustice TO the railroad
companies to compel them To find new persons
Mt "A days notice for those other duties, in
which, usually, much knowledge Of the husi-
ness and methods of the roads is necessary.
The operators at stations have special work to
O for which they are trained, and the safety of
the pnblic constantly depends upon their
efficiency. An inexperienced man, though an
equally good operator, would be source of
peril To lie and property. The injustice OF de-
manding that such men should abandon their
posts Is the greater because they have had no
controversy with theft employers Their pay
is different and their duties are different from
those Of ordinary operators; many of them
have houses or quarters provided, and homes for
families. To expect that such men would throw
up their situations. without any real or fanccd
grievance of their own, was not particularly
reasonable, and the managers of the Brother
hood must have known that the order was as
hazardous as it was unjust.
1t is the great misfortune of trades unions,
however, that they so often fall into the control
OF men who lack any adequate sense of re-
sponsibiity or of fairness, and who resort to ex-
IRENE measures when their dictation is resisted,
without once thinking whether those measures
are Just in themselves, or for the best interests
of their associates. An illustration of this was
given on Thursday 10 the building trades. In
order to force all men engaged in any of these
trades to become members of one organization
or league, a walking committee" was sent
around TO buildings where men were at work TO
inspect their cards, 80 that those who were not
members could be marked and demand made
for their discharge. Iii one large building, the
employers Ind ordered and posted up no adj
mittaDce" except for the men employed, reg
ulation the proprieiy of which in many cuses
every reasonable man will recognize But the
@walking committee" not being permitted TO
interrupt the men while ut their work, directed
them 10 strike, and those who were members of
the Union did so. This piece of unreasonable
and unjust dictaton illustrates the cause of the
refusal of many employers to recognize labor
organizations In any way. The irresponsible
committee, having nothing to lose when men are
thrown out Of work 10y its acts, gets pulled up
with its authority. makes demands which q