The advocate., 1894-07-11
THE GREAT STRIKE.

TIC deserves the widest circulation, as
1t clearly indicates the absolute heart
lessness and cold-blooded depravity
Of the controlling classes in this Coun-
try. With them the margins upon
stocks, bonds and merchsntsble se-
curities are of far more Importance
than the liberties Of men or their
ability to obtain food for themselves
and families, Little comment ls nee
essary respecting so infamous docu-
ment. It is so shocking to every hu.
name impulse that it will carry its
own condemnation to the heart OF
every person who has not become
brutalized by the worse than bar
barous conditions by which we are
surrounded. The following IS what
he says under date Of July 2:
The railroad strike is not by any m cans
an unmixed misfortune. It will raise ques-
tiOns and lead 10 changes which the strik-
erB seem TO have little anticipated. The
roads have long felt that, under the exist
ing depression Of business and the great de-
cline In prices, large reductions in operst-
ing expenses had become necessary, not
only as means toward making both ends
meet, but also Of enabling them TO make
concessions on freight charges in certain
directions. They have hesitated TO make
these adjustments through q general OUT
ting down Of wages, though they have done
ali chat is possible through a reduction in
the numerical strength of their employees.
Their hands have now thrown down the
gauntlet ON the issue, the Pullman strike
the roads seem quite willing 10 accept the
gauge, but on another issue, general re-
duCtion Of wages.
So far az can be foFeSeen, therefore, the
strike begun on Wednes day is likely 10 rum
10 lengths which will put IL within che
power Of the railroads TO effect a general
reduction Of wages. The fast that this re-
duction has not yet been effected, has been,
Cor some months past, the chief point Of
nedkness in railroad securities, and has had
much TO do with the decline in net earnings.
The occasion has now como FOX the adjust
ment OF Che carrying interest TO the new
conditions prevailing in the industrial and
commercial interests. The conditions
could hardly have been more favorable to
the success Of the roads in this struggle.
The strikers have against them the JUS
tiOe Of the case, the verdict Of public opin-
ION, the essential weakness Of any mere
strike on grounds Of craft sympathy, and
extraordinary numbers Of unemployed tChC
stand ready to take their place. (ItalicS Ours.l
The strike,t therefore,, can hardly fail TO end
in the reduction Of wages that, directly oI
indirectly, will run through our railroad
system at large, The transient inconven-
fences resulting from the interruption Of
traffic viii be q small matter compared
with the benefits TO be derived from plaO-
ing this immense national interest upon
SoundOE and more normal financial basis,
In this important sens Q, the railroad strike
10 TO be regarded "a the harbinger Of
great national benefit, as laying the basis
for new confidence and for the resumption
Of now widely suspended operations.
Think Of the general reduction oi
wages here so heartlessly spoken oi
being regarded as ''a great national
benetitp Think of coming the sweat
and blood of honest toll into addi-
tional margins of profit to the Wall
stroot Oamhlaru in railroad securities