The Labor enquirer., 1883-02-17
60, !. carondelet Lockout.

There is no smoke coming out of
tall chimneys, and the tinkling of
= thousand hammers and. the CHEEKY
81 of the willing workmen has died
swav. The few men at work look like
Eshins at sea in a calm-helpless and
waiting for fair wind, so that they can
steer for some safer and better harbor.
rrbeir heart is not in their work, and
thev labor because, perchance, they are
compelled to, and not because they have
] found pleasure in not taking part with
their brethren in the strike or the lock-
out. The present disagreement should
be called lockout, and not strike, for
the workmen made ne demand for
higher wages, and were willing to accept
fair reduction; but even this did not
suit the monopolists, who locked their
doors and thus compelled the workmen
to rest their brawny arms for spell at
least.
There was time when the ironwork-
ers were ignorant of the laws governing
supply and demand, but that time has
passed away. When the manufacturers
raised hue and cry in the daily journals
to the effect that the demand for rails
was falling off, and the market prices
declining rapidly, the workmen smelled
mice, and knew that this was prelim-
mary step towards shutting down for the
winter When the manufacturers ap-
neared and announced new schedule,
which cut down wages 333 per cent, the
work1nen understood their move. The
manufacturers should have come out
plainly and honestly and said: eve are
ST the beginning of long winter. We
have cot you IN tight place. We want
YOU to accept this reduction Of 333 per
cent, and after you have accepted it we
will shut down anyhow. You will then
grow boisterous, squander your money
quickly, and perhaps starye through
half the winter. In the early spring
YOU will be willing to 60 to work at a
a still greater reduction, and we will
omen our doors to you and take you back,
and pretend that in taking you we are
doing great favor" The manufacturers
did not speak thus plainly, but the work
men understood their silent move. To
make sure they were right, and prove
that their employers were not honest in
what they said, the workmen spoke,
saying: "We will accept reduction OF
20 per cent for four months, or until the
first of May. If upon that date the
market price of steel has advanced, we
will want a proportional advance IN
wages; but if the price declines, then we
will be willing to talk about new
schedule" This fair proposition was
not even considered. The result was
the lockout, and the greasing up of the
machinery so that it would not rust
through the winter.
so far the scheme had worked well for
the manufa cturers, but they counted
without their host when they thought
the workmen would grow bolsterous,
souander their hard earned. wages, and
he left to starve through half the long
winter. On the contrary, the workmen
accepted the situation mantully, and
settled down to make the best of it.
There were no threats made, and no
exhibitions of "cOmmunistlC" nature.
The men had toiled steadily and honestly
for wears and the married men, strange
to sav we're better of in this worlds S
goods than the unmarried; so that they
were prepared for a long selge, while the
Younger men rather enjoyed the holl-
dav. Even since the day the fires were
put out the workmen have kept clear OF
the works. Never since that time have
they asked for a compromise or re-
ouested a conference with the manu-
facturers, Now and then comes threat
from the latter, who say they will bring
men in here to take the places OF the
strikers, but such threats as these are as
so much chaf. "Is it likely that men
are coming here to take our places :" said
one of the workmen the other day. Il
don't think it is, for the reason that those
not on strike elsewhere are employed,
and might as we'll go in where they are
as come here and take our places at the
very reduction they were offered at
home. When the strike commenced