Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-11-15
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LANCASTER. NOVEMBER Is, lSSs.
The COliapsed Strike.

The great Chicago strike has come to
an abrupt end. Begun in open defiance of
the clearly expressed opinion of the eN
ecutive board of the knights of Labor
against the demand for eight hours it was
Impossible for that organization to con-
sistently uphold the strikers. Yet they ap-
pear to have felt the utmost confidence in
the strength Of their position and to have
thought that because of their numbers
and influence Powderly would be afraid to
act firmly with them a; but they have found
as many Others have before them that
their leader is not easily frightened. In
the Judgment of the rest of the country
they have been acting very foolshly. Tie
sensible men among them admit that the
strike was al wrong, but defend their
course by saying that the manufacturers
have "given them the right "by refusing
to employ members of labor organizations.
This will not do, for the fight was plainly
on the eight hour question but the other
point may easily be made the ground for
farther trouble if both parties are spelling
for a fight.
Ia this case the value of the organization
OF the Knights of Labor with the employer
has been very clearly shown and it is
question Of particular interest TO the en-
ploying interest of the country whether
this organization of labor will not, in the
long run, be of advantage 10 employer as
well as employed. Itall depends upon how
the labor is led. If confidence could be
felt that it would be always checked in its
unreasonable, and only be supported
in its reasonable demands, the organiza.
tion would certainly be a benefit all
around. But it will be hard to inspire such
confidence among those who employ the
labor that is thus organized TO stand up
against them. The theory of the labor or
ganization is well enough. They combine
to secure their rights, and their rights they
ought to have. But there is naturally a
wido difference of opinion between
employer and employed as to what
their respective rights are, and al
organization Of either is most likely
to insist upon rights that the other
will not concede. The Chicago employees
Of the meat packers, for instance, not only
think that they ought 10 labor but eight
hours day, but that 10 other men should
take their places who are willing TO work
ten hours for the three or four dollars Of
fered by the packers for that term of Ia
Dor. The packers think that such posi-.
tion taken by laborers 50 well paid is un-
reasonable. And there will be 10 one out
side the strikers to deny the unreasonable
ness of their demand. OF this nature are
very many of the demands of labor. They
are such as cannot be granted them, be-
cause the employer cannot give what he
cannot get.
The utility Of a superior order to the
ordinary workingmanS lodge has been
well proven in the case OF this Chicago
strike. IL has been disapproyed and or
dered off by the executive board off the
Knights Of Labor. This is case of Wis
dom of the head enforced upon the folly of
the crowd. II the order of tie head is
obeyed, and the strike ceases, two things
will he shown; that the knights of Labor
are wisely led and that they are wisely obe-
dent. The country needs but to be satis
fed that the organization is obedient 10 its
chiefs, and that the chiefs are men of good
sense, to feel a safe reliance upon its con.
duct, and to believe that it will be benell-
cent institution.
This confidence is not yet felt. The
order has not been led with un-
varying wisdom. 1t Is too newly geare d
to cause US to expect perfect steadiness
in its performance. The machine may be
very powerful or very week it may be a
great good or great evil. One great dan.
ger threatening it is that it will become "A
political machine, which would be a total
perversion from its object. 1t certainly
may be power in politics and it is proba-
BILE that it will try to be this power. The at.
tempt will be disastrous. There can be no
political squeezing OF employer and en-
ployed; any more than there eau be Il
squeezing of eggs fiom a hen.