New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-18
FIGHTING FAIR.

The extension OF the switchmens strike az
Buffalo to the NewYOrk Central ana oeher
lines will probably involve the calling OUT VI
the entire National Guard OF the state. lhefe
are indications of preconcerted arrangement
for general " tie up' on all the railroads whlch
RIM through or 20 that city. This Will be
hattie between the corporations and organized
labor in which supremacy is to be gained by
ono side or the other. These campaigns are
becomna almost as disastrous to the locaitles
who're thew are fought as military warfare
would be. Life and property are protected
through the intervention OF the Na1ohal uuaiu'
but freight is blocked, passenger trafiic IS as
arranged or suspended, the security OF travellers
is endangered business is paralyzed ana inc
commercial losses are very serious. There Is
hardly large business East or West that Is
not suffering at this moment, or liable to sun er
~ any moment from the labor disturbances at
Rnffalo. IF this switchmen's strike proves to
he a pitched battle between corporations ana
the great army of railway workers, it will cause
incalculable injury to the industrial ana com
mercial interests of the country. so grave Is
the situation that the press OF the country WIN
one voice unites in warning the leaders OF the
strike that they must act with sobriety OF ]udg-
ment and sternly repress all outbreaks OF law
le,sness. Otherwise all the resources OF Amer-
can civilization will and must be employed TO
restore the supremacy OF law.
The leaders of the strike have placed them
selves on record as Disappearing of all attempts
TO win by violence 81 believe in fighting
fair I" is the declaration of Mr.. Sweeney, Grand
Master of the Switchmen's Union. I" do not
believe in injurng property. nor in assuming
men. nor in any lawless act. We can DO the
roads harm enough by withdrawing our men.
The stalling of freight cars does great deal
more injury than the burning of few cars.
These awless acts are not countenanced by
me nor by the local leaders of the strikers"
This il proper language, but it is not emphatic
enough in its condemnation of lawlessness. The
Grand Master who directs so large an army
in SO aggressive campaign surely Las the a'-
thority to condemn and denounce such Outrages
"a have occurred in Buffalo. 1t is not enough
for him to dsclam having countenanced acts
Of violence. He ought to 60 further and brand
the lawbreabers as the worst enemies OF or
eanized labor And when that is done his
moral obligation as the leader of the strike will
not he fully discharged. The duty OF hunting
down the incendiaries, expelling them from the
organization and handing them over to the
courts will remain.
Fighting fair'' is what the American people
believe in, but they want justice and FAIR play
in act rather than in word The labor organ
izations in their contests with employers and
corporations invariably display high degree OF
discipline. Large masses of men follow orders
and obey their commanders like well-drllled
regiments. 1t is only when awlessness ensues
and crimes are committed that discipline seems
10 be lacking. There is no power in reserve no
matter how highly centralized may be the or
eanization. for bringing to justice those who
will not fight fair' II the switchmen's league
at Buffalo were to produce the lawbreakers'
dismiss them from their ranks as traitors to
the order and hand them over to the courts OF
Justice they would do much to enlist public
sympathy in their movement. AS it is, there
is only one alternative That is the employ
ment of military force so long as it may be
required for protecting life and property and
the stamping out of all lawlessness and violence.