The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-02
RAILROAD LABOR UNION DECLARE
TIoN AGAINST STRIKES.


The number Of employees now in the
service Of the railroads Of the United
states Is put at between 10000 ard LOW
900. Those Of them who belong TO labor
unions are estimated at about 10000, al
though almost every branch Of their ope-
rative and mechanical departments has
one or more brotherhoods. Many at
tempts. the Railway Age states, have
been made TO federate these separate
unions and cause them TO act under the
order OF one central authority that with
this powerful combination the railway
companies should be compelled TO deal
I'm all matters affecting rates Of pay and
rules for employment OF the members,
under penalty OF a strike, that would
involve every branch Of the service, but
so far the separate unions have failed on
refused 10 surrender their own liberty Of
action to one dominating central control.
Another attempt has recently been made
10 effect central union Of this sort at
Chicago in a meeting there Of a number
of labor leaders. The declaration Of
principles put out at this meeting states
the object of the union TO be:
THE protection Of members I'm all mat
ters relating to wages and their rights
as employees
Which is a purpose and object that will
certainly command the sympathy and
approval OF all right-thinking men.
But conservative people Will be a little
alarmed at the glib reference which the
declaration makes to "boycotts," as a
measure for securing that protection Of
members" Thus, in reciting the reasons
for such an organization, It says:
THE extraordinary fact cannot be over
looked that while the present organiza-
lions are provided with expensive striking
and boycotting machinery, and while
millions Of dollars wrung from their
members have been expended in support
OF strikes, they have, with scarcely an
exception, been overwhelmed with de-
feat"
And, In confidently expressing the belief
that the object will be effected by the or
ganization proposed, it says
THAT all differences may be satlsfac-
torly adjusted, that harmonious relations
may be established and maintained, that
the service may be intellectually improved,
and that the necessity for strike and
boycott and blacklist. alike disastrous
TO employer and employe. and a perpet-
ual menace 20 the welfare Of the public,
will forever disappear
1t is possible the declaration is intended
to hold out to labor unions as their hal
cyon day the time when boycotts intimi-
dalton and force will be abandoned as
weapons. II this Is contemplated. all
good men will wish the new organization
success. But the references 10 the boy
colt are not altogether reassuring. The
| declaration contains this very remarka-
| BILE confession of the results, III addition
to defeat. which strikes and boycotts have
| so far brought TO the unions. After stat
ing what we have already quoted. il
continues thus.
The history of railroad strikes. as con
Quoted by railroad organizations Is
| recital OF brave. but hopeless struggle oil
| strikers defeated. impoverished. black
| listed, pursued and driven 70 the extrem
| ity OF scabbing or starvation. Unde
| present conditions this result is inevitable
| and q century or ORGANIZATIONS on pres
ent lines will not change IT, Railwa!
employees fsye contributed from thei
earnings untold millions I'm support o.
organizations aud are, therefore. entitled
10 protection, Instead OF promises tina
can never he u'hled.
1T cannot be denied that the policy o
present organizations has filed the lam
with scabs who swarm IN the highway
and byways awaiting anxiously, eagerly
the opportunity TO crafty their reveng
by taking positions vacated by strikers.
This is a terrible indictment OF N
labor union strike as 1t has been prac
ticed in the United States. and. II It pro
ceeded from an enemy OF the labo
unions. it might very we'll be considere
as colored by passion and prejudice.
proceeds, though, from body OF labo
unionists. who may. therefore, be i'm
plcitly trusted 10 have made no exag
gsration OF the case.
The truth is the labor unions can IN
lo'btedly be source OF great good {
their members when they respect the frs