Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1885-08-29
The Inconsistency Of Strikes.

NduCtu LUZ SllihCS aAuA ioohoueo LII
volving questions of rates of wages,
when such reasons are examined in the
light of the actions or methods Of the
strikers or employers, is really sur
prising. Employers demand reduc-
ton in wages, or refuse to consider an
advance, usually on the ground that
the price received for the product JUS
titles them in such demand or refusal
that, in fact, they cannot afford to
pay more. On the other hand, en-
ployees refuse to concede reduction,
or demand an advance, on the ground
that they believe that their employers
can afford to pay the price they ask,
and that they cannot afford to work
for any less. Now, these reasons are
perfectly legitimate and cogent ones,
viewed by themselves, provided they
are facts. Each side, if it is honest,
believes its demands to be just, and
the facts to be as it asserts. But here
the absurdity comes in. In almost
all strikes or lockouts of any moment
each side Immediately acts in direct
opposition to its expressed belief. IT
the employee cannot accept reduced
wages, or demands increased wages
because he feels he must have them,
still less can he afford to be entirely
idle and have no earnings; if the en-
pleyer cannot afford to pay the exist
ing wages, or those demanded in case
of an increase, still less can he afford
to operate his mill for few men, who
may or may not be the best of work
men, producing goods at cost far in
excess of what that cost would be were
he to continue in operation and pay
the wages asked by the men.
We understand, Of course, what the
answer to this objection will be, viz !:
that the action taken by either en-
ployer or employee has reference not
to the present, but to the future. The
employee submits to a temporary idle
ness to secure the rates he demands for
the future; he suffers present evil
for a future good; and his employer
would answer in the same way.
There can also be no doubt that stub
bornly contested strike makes both sides
less eager to enter upon such struggles
in the future, and thereby lessons the
frequency of their occurrence. But
this course of reasoning fails to con-
vince us that the future gain compen-
safes for the loss-that the gain IN the
reduction Of labor cost by the employ
er compensates for the extra cost of
attempting to run the mill short
handed, or that the experience as to
the cost of strikes is sufficient to pre-
vent their recurrence.
WE believe that it''still holds good in
the great majority of cases that the
methods of strikes and lockouts are
absurdly inconsistent with the reasons
advanced for entering upon them, and
that there is rarely anything gained by
their continuance. Take, for instane,
the recent strike in the West. After
the workmen had conceded 10 per
cent. reduction, the difference between
the manufacturers and the men on
bar iron was half cent on 63 cents to
the roller, and half q cent on the same
amounting cents--to the heater-that
is, l cent on $1.26, or not quite $40 of
lper cent. on the wages per ton. The
strike resulted in an idleness of about
three weeks. Now, how many weeks
must the rollers and heaters work to
make up the wages lost during the
strike? On the basis of an output of
40 tons week, it would take the heat
er a little over seven years steady
work to make up at a half a cent a
ton increase what he lost during the
three weeks of idleness. A similar loss
can be shown in connection with
those mills that during a strike at
tOiAP' W luh III "ppoSi'ioi W. tHt
wishes of the strikers, but expecting
at the saline time to accept the, rps;it,
OF the contest, whatever they may ne.
There is some reason i'll the attempt %
u mill, for example. to run uon-;ln;on
during II strike, provided ii is iii- ia
tention of that m,li to cnl,i..a" .,S 3,
non-union mill when t,i. >rr;,i,. l. over;
but nothing is gained, either III ll.:t
ence upon the strikers at tne tiM" OF
influence for the future. IS II mlli
Running at great expense during The
cunt,peauce OF strike and then de;ib-
erat.ly accepting its results and re-
storing to their places the strikers
when the strike is over. Under the
latter circumstances the only wise
thing 70 DO is to shut the mill up and
make no attempt to run.
The Etna Standard Mill, at Wheel.
ing, have adopted the proper course.
They have discharged their force and
shut up their mills, ana say i'll effect
AT the present prices we cannot run
and will not run" But if while saying
they could not run at the present prices
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