Smyrna times., 1886-03-31
The Industrial War.

1t is estimated by Bradstreet that
| there are $3.50 men out of work at
this date as a direct result of strikes
and lockouts. A farther examination
of its figures enables the following
classification to be made: The total
number locked out is estimated at TO-
200; the total out in consequence of
employers discharging workmen be-
cause they are Knights of Labor is es-
timated at 12,600, which includes the
5000 railroad men who have tied up
the southwest railroads. There are
1000 cotton factory operatives out in
consequence of of fines imposed upon
them for alleged "soiling of cloth. d
This makes total 23,G 500 nav idle in
consequence of acts on both sides that
are certainly and readily susceptible Of
arbitration. The reasons given for
most of the lockOuts are simply dis
graceful, being devoid of a decent SEM
blance of justice, and belonging to the
spirit of chattel bondage rather than of
free labor. The movements started
and sustained by the Knights of Labor
are based on charges which have their
root i'll the same mode of dealing.
OF the remaining $4,000 idle workers
| 5,0O5 are out on strike against a re-
ductiOn of wages, and 1850 are de-
! manding higher rate. The average
demand will not be over 10 per cent,
while for three years past, wages have,
IN the same pursuits, been subjected to
a reduction of % per cent. The wages
! question then covers 1855.
The remaining l0,395 idle persons
are standing out on matters of shop
regulations, the employment of non
union men, against convict labor.
| against labor saving machinery and
other similar causes, of the right and
wrong of which it is not so easy to
judge offhand. The employment of
noD-union hands has sent 4,71O on a
strike. That is at all times considered
a direct blow at labor organizations.
The remaining 5,4O5 workers on a
strike are so acting ON various grounds,
but chiefly from disputes on rules and
discipline.
The great body of workers, subjects
of an enforced or voluntary idleness,
are divided into various occupations as
follows:
Railroad men, 5000; nailers, 1000;
coal miners, 81 ,4S0; textiles, 10,33O and
/ OF boot and shOemakers, 4,075. The
balance are in variety of trades and
pursuits. These are interesting statis-
ties. Their number and the circum-
stances attending them, are such
as to emphasize the overwhelming ne
cessity for a wise and reasonable policy
Of adjustment and settlement. In a
considerable number of cases, involving
two-thirds of the total body of workers
who are affected, organized labor has
directly prOffered, and apparently in
| good faith, the plan of arbitration.
There are pending such propositions
on their part in coal, railroad and shoe
strikes, and i'll the nailers and reaper
manufacturing lockOuts. Together
these aggregate over 10000 workers.
Indeed there is no question but that
the principle of arbitration so strongly
urged by the Knights of Labor could
be readily put into operation i'm a large
majority of these disputes. And a
careful study of them has convinced us
that a considerable proportion result
only from an obstinate and oppressive
idea on the part of the contending en-
plOys that the laborer has no other
right than to be hired, and no other
claim than to be paid the wages agreed
upon. That idea is fast becoming OBJ
solete, and the quicker it is removed
from the minds of all interested the
sooner we shall see arbitration applied
and equity begin to rule effectively
NeiU York Star,