New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-12
T'HPE1TENED STRIKES.

THREIIENED SlNIhES.
Is tbe dismal and costly experience OF last
year to be repeated in the iron and coal regions
Are hundred thousand homes or more to be
pinched, desoaed or broken up in desperate
Int unavailing struggle against the tendencies
of business which make cheaper production
inevitable? The Amalgamated Association
during the last week has been fixing upon the
rate of wages it will demand for the coming
wear. The exact nature OF its demands is YET
unknown but there seems to be much reason
to believe that they are such as employers VIII
not be disposed to grant in the existing cohui-
ton Of business. At the same time the stove
mcudcrs are contemplating strike, and scrl-
ous contests are expected in various branches
which turn ont finished products. Moreover,
il i stated that the miners association has
decided to make determined struggle Tor the
eight hour day. which. unless tho agreement
regarding wages is more liberal than can be
expected may result in prolonged strike.
There is one consideration which applies TO
all branches of industry alike, and which all
are prone to overlook. The conditions haze
changed entirely since a year ago. Then pro-
duction was increasing rapidly, but not more
RAPIDLY than the demand for products. All
the hands that could be found were needed
All products that could be turned out were in
quick demand at much higher prices than those
now Obtanabe. There was every prospect
that this improvement would indefinitely con-
tinue, so that if any manufacturer found MN
self little at disadvantage for some months
he could be reasonably sure that the steadily
cxurdng market would soon relieve him OF
his surplus. But now the production Is no
longer expanding in that fashion, and there is
good reason to expect such change OF duty
as will admit many millions worth for foreign
products in place of American. Some OF the
largest concerns in the country have failed. and
others have stopped to wait events. \ large
number of hands formerly employed are search
ing for work Prices are on the whole the
lowest ever known.
The workingmen know already that these
are results of a decision of the people last No.
yember, and that they have only begun to see
the fruits Of that decision. 1t is most natuia!
that they wish to escape as much OF the CON
sequences for themselves as possible But the
situation makes it inevitable that they share
the loss with employers Already many works
!
scale of wages than was paid with profit year
ago. Others will not be kept in operation at
all, facing all uncertainties and risks OF the
coming change, unless the cost OF production
can be reduced When the change comes. no
one can determine until after some experience
how far it will affect production in particular
branches but there is reason to believe that the
wage earners In the iron and coal regions will
have to choose between no wages at all or
lower wages in almost every branch because
of the great number Of hands who are likely
to be left unemployed.
These conditions seem to justify exceedingly
conservative and moderate action by the work
ers' associations in their own interests. The
moro they demand under such circumstances
the greater loss they are likely to bring upon
themselves through inability of many work
70 continue operations This is not one of
those cases in which there may be great dis
putc and extensive misrepresentation about the
markets. Causes that are perfectly well known
have begun to bring about exactly the shrink
age in demand for American labor which was
| fOrcseen when the people were considering their
decision last year. The iron and steel work
ers at some points thought proper to vote for
the party of change, As was their right but it
is also their right u bear their share of the
consequences, and their duty to help make the
results as little disastrous as possible to other
workers. This can be done only by uniting in
reduction of the cost Of manufacture, so that
the great competition which is to be expected
NAV clcse fewer works in this country.