The Labor enquirer., 1886-04-03
NOW WHAT!

tits reported that the great railroad
strike is over. that the men will return
to work, and the differences between the
employees and the company will be arbi-
trated. As to whether the agreement
includes all of the roads or not cannot
now be said, as it is only reported that
Hoxie, of the Missouri Pacific, will meet
a committee of the employees of that line
and arrange q settlement of the griev-
ances.
Under the circumstances this is prob
ably as good as could be done; but, in
the light of experience, am afraid it is
bad policy to 60 to werk first and
then arbitrate, as this strike was occa-
stoned by the refusal of the officers to
arbitrate while the men were at work, it
seems to me safety to the interests of
the men lay in an opposite direction to
the course taken that is, I think the ar
bitration should have preceded resump-
ton of work. I fear that the company
will discriminate against some OF the
strikers when they return to their posts !;
not because they are Knights of Labor,
but because they were the prominent
men in the strike. and if one man re-
turns to work under such conditions he
will prove himself to be the worst in
crate on earth.
1t is too often the case that men who
heroicallY bear the burdens of all upon
an occasion like this are the sufferers,
whether the undertaking is successful or
not; and if Mr.. Hoxie recognizes every
principle submitted by the mon, and
grants every request save that the
leaders be reihstated, the long and bitter
contest will be concluded with the most
contemplate defeat and cowardlY sur
render which the annals of labor strug-
giles record.
Ny suspicious that this will be the
course adopted by Hozie may be unwar-
-anted, but know these sleek corpora
tionists, and l know how they can
stretch few seemingly honest words IN
an agreement. They say, I'VE will not
take back any man who is responsible
for any violence or damage done during
the strike" and they very seldom find
any difficulty in pulling the wool over
the e5es of the employer committee far
enough to make them believe that the
leaders" are the men responsible for
every depreciation.
Another point is, that Mr.. Hoxie will
refuse to rel state the men who have
held prominent positions during the
strike until after their cases have been
"arbitrated," and, therefore, the en-
ployen will be deprived-e the valuable
services of these men in the inquiry !;
for NJ. Hoxie will say, These men are
not now in our employ, and we have
agreed only to meet our employees"
Better far Waterloo in open strike
than quiet submission to an arbitration
that will Yictimlze the men who have
bravery and ability enough to stand in
the front rank during struggle for the
right.
Like its predecessors, the strike on the
Southwest system has been a great help
to the cause of labor, no matter how it
ends; for it has been another lesson in
the school where laboring men are
learning the absurdities of the present
economic system, and the futility of
hopes that strikes, boycotts or arbitra-
tions will permanently better their con-
ditions. May they learn this lesson
well.
TUE ENQUIRER was with the strikers
and would have been to the bitter ex-
tremity, had that been reached. Being
uncompromlsingly in favor of the pro-
lection of workingmen aud the complete
destruction of monopolist privileges, it
is still the friend of the Southwestern
men, and. as such friend it says to them,
be not weary in well-doing; keep up the
fight against your natural enemies, and,
above all, do not assume the garb of tie
migrate, but fight to the end, and die, if
needs be, for those who have sacrificed
for you. Remember that ingratitude is
the worst of sins.
LATER:-Just before going to press the
telegraph brings the information that
the men refuse to 90 to work. Their
reasons for this action are anticipated in
the foregoing portions of this article.
Particulars in another part of this issue.