The Labor enquirer., 1883-08-04
THE STRIKERS.

THE STRIKERS,
The situation of the telegraphers'
strike has undergone few changes during
the past week Each side claims to be
gaining strength daily and the press re-
ports contain assertions from each that
they are sure of victory at no distant
day. The strikers have the sympathy of
the public and the feeling Of indignation
at the position of the Western Union is
growing rapidly. Substantial aid for the
strikers is pouring in from all sections,
theatrical benefit at San Francisco,
netting $1,000 for the fund, and another
at Baltimore realizing 81, 300. Subscrip-
tons from individuals have reached the
thousands in many cities, and it appears
there will be plenty of funds to carry on
the strike for months if necessary.
1t is rather difficult to form an opinion
of what wilE be the end of this greatest
conflict between labor and monopoly ;
but the strikers hold in their hands one
card, which, if they will play it in time,
tory. 1t is to call, without another days
delay, every operator who is member
of the Brotherhood out from every Of
| fee in the United States, save Of the
company which has come to terms. No
matter if the business be commercial
railroad or associated press. There is a
rumor in New York City that the eXecu-
tive board Of the Brotherhood will in a
few days call out all their men operating
on the Jay Gould lines Of railroad Such
action should have been taken more
than week ago. Delays are dangerous
and sometimes disastrous. Stop the
railroad trains, shut Oft the press reports
and the public will soon force the mo-
n0poliSts to take their medicine, if their
own losses donot.
There is no use or sense in longer cur
rying favor with the great press of the
land" They don't care tinkers damn
! for the operators or anYother class of
workingmen, only so long as they can
use them, and it seems that as well in
formed men as the teIegraphers should
know this.
The operators owe it to their fellow
wageworkers and to those who have ap-
propriated money to their maintainance
to win this strike if possible, and they
will fall very far short of their duty if
they fail to use every means to win.
Every day news comes Of strikes by
mechanics and laborers in numerous
branches of industry. There are no less
than fifty important strikes in progress
IN the United States, counting the Ope-
ratOr's strike which extends over the
entire country and into Canada, as one
| If We lose in any considerable number
Of these cases, what will be the effect on
our condition ? We cannot afford to lose
in single case where it is possible, by
any means, to gain victory. The strug-
gle is coming, will be upon us sooner
than the most observing and far-seeing
have supposed. Let us hasten to pre-
pare for it. Organize and educate.
1t is sure to come, and we might as
well understand it first as last There
is no method, reason or mercy in the
madness Of the greedy monsters who
are devouring US. They will rule or ruin
the country unless they are forever
Silenced by the PEOPLE. But | wander
The telegraphers can be victors, with
out resortin" to "unIawfuI means" in
their important skirmish, and if they
fail 10 use the honorable means at then
command, for one shall waste no SYM
pathY on them.