The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-03-18
Sound Advice to Strikers.


Mr.. P. L. Studebacker, vice president and
treasurer of the Studebaker Manufacturing
Company, of Chicago, has issued printed
address to the employees of his establishment
now out on strike. He relates the train of
circumstances leading up to the strike, offer
ing some rather Interesting comments by the
way, giving his views as 10 the relations be
tween capital aud labor and pointing out some
OF the more glaring and unnecessary misap-
prehensions existing on either side.
Coming down, however, TO the subject OF
the pending strike, and reminding his late
employees that they have abandoned their
places at the dictation of the walking dele
gate, Mr. Studebaker propounds a number
of exceedingly awkward conundrnms. We
quote "a few OF them:
"a word as to strikes 1t is my opinion that the
experience of the past shows that few men have
been benefited by strikes. The engineers strike in
Chicago. three or four years ago is case IN point
You all remember seeing statements made IN con-
viii he rade Of the public. Next the loss OF the
Chicago. Burlington and Quincy Railroad, believe
about four million of dollars Next an estimate OF
the loss 10 the strikers and their families Haveyon
ever seen statement Of the profit to anybody oil
that striker
Take also the strike at Homestead. You remem-
Der reading about the lighting and the bloodshed
there and about the widows and the orphans and of
the great loss the Carnegie Company and the suf-
ferihg Of the men aud their families aud the break
lug up of their homes, but have you seen state
ment OF profit made by any one out OF that affair
Il seems to me that when The leaders these organ
izatons ask YOU 10 join them and engage III the
business OF Specializing in labor which these strikes
10 exhibit TO you the balance sheet showing you the
profits. This at least is what a business man would
require under like circumstances"
1t has happened not infrequently, we be-
heye. that the walking delegate would find a
qrsat desl Of comfort in estimating the losses
of the employer growing out of strikes. He
is able to take a philosophical View Of the
matter because his salary continues, and
because he finds in strikes not only comfor-
table emolument, but the ouly possible argu-
ment in favor Of his official existence. The
Workingman, however, from whose contribu
lions the treasury ofthe labor organization is
supplied, and out of whose hard won earnings
the walking delegate takes his salary-the
workingman, however, may we'll consider
Mr.. Studebaker's apt suggestion. Where
does he come in? Is he not always the chief
victim, the most unhappy sufferer? Does he
ever gain anything? He goes out, abandons
/ employment in which he is supporting him
self and his family, loses his time, his wages,
| his temper, and often his liberty or even his
| life-and where does he find his profit?
OF course, it is improbable that Mr.. Stude.
! baker, very manly and straightforward appeal
will lead to practical results. The chances
all are that the strike will go on SO long as
there remains in the labor treasury eneugh
money to pay the labor officials their salaries
in full. The Studebaker Company will lose
money, there may be riots and bloodshed,
there will certainly be peril and disorder.
But the same old denouement will come at
| last, sud the workingman will hold the bag
as pspalr There is money in it for the
schemers and lharlatals who pose as the
workingmans friend in order TO live upon his
credulity, and so long IS men can be fooled
and victimized the walking delegate and the
| strike will flourish.