Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-01-30
THE LIGHT BREAKING.

The great Reading strike will go down
in history as one of the most stupendous
contests between labor and capital ever
witnessed in this country. No matter who
is in the right, or who is in the wrong, or
how the matter is settled eventually, one
thing certain that the protection heresy
is receiving its sentence by the people,
aud its doom can not long be delayed.
The defeat CT Mr.. Randall In Pennsylvania
meant much, but the attitude OF the labor
ing masses Of Pennsylvania means much
more. Theee men have worshiped the
golden calf long and idolatrously. They
listened to the siren songs of the tariff
berons, and voted like sheep for their
own enslsvement. Happily for sll the
light is breaking, and the day will soon
be here The lsooring men are be-
ginning to question the sincerity OF
those "frlends of labor" in this
particular, after finding them enemies
to labor in all others. They are
studying the question, and are
discovering the truth and Will soon re-
nounce allegiance to their idol. In en- in
tervleW with correspondent of the New
York Herald one Of the most prominent
members Of the Knights Of Lsbor reasons
thus: "The high tariff on coal is the
thing that enables Mr.. Corbin to use such
defiant language. Do you suppose that
If coal could be shipped duty free to east
ern manufacturing towns and cities from
Nova Scotia thet the Reading road would
dare refuse to srbitrste with US or listen
to cur grievances? Why, had to pay at
the rate of Sc % ton for half ton Of
coal right here N Reading. Would that
condition OF things be possible II it were
not for the tariff that is protecting the
Residing monopoly from outside competi.
ton, while 1t endeavors TO starve the
miners into slavery; for that is what the
abolition Of the Knights of Labor means
This thing is getting to be as cleal
as sunlight to us. II there were nc
duty on coal, inside Of 8 week
thousands Of tons would be
landed in New York, Phila-
delpbis and Boston at fair prices. The
manufacturer of the eastern states would
not be crippled while the strike lasted
The Reading Company would not dare tc
close it's collieries, for the market would
be supplied from without" One yesl
$50 the representative CT labor who
would make this admission would bg
looked upon by his colaborers as traitor
Now he is locked upon IS q Moses lead
ing the children of toll out Of conhict
and misery. Following up his line Of
reasoning, he continues: tNow, what
would that condition Of things meant
Simply this: The miners are not fools,
and will not go on strike, which always
means direct less and suffering to them,
without 8 good cause. On the other
hand, the Reading Company-all the other
coal compsnieE-would gladly part with
sufficient of their profits 70 insure COM
fort and good living for their men. Thus
the men would be loyal and satisfied, and
at the same time the companies would not
be constantly plunged into disastrous con-
ficts with their employees, but in case a
difference arose the companies would be
Just as eager as the men to settle it.
They would not be in position to send
out such ike.lmanifestoes as Mr..
Corbin's answer to the present strike"
It Is gratifying to see that laboring men
are awakening to the fact that instead of
being benefited b. The tariff they are