The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-11-13

Lsuding the Pullman Strikers.
The strikers at Pullman are entitled,
he believed, to the contrariety in this mat
ter, because Of their conduct and forbear-
ance after May II. 1t Is In evidence, and
uncontradicted, that no violence or de-
struotion of property by strikers or sympa-
thizers took place at Pullman, and that
until July no extraordinary precautions
had been taken by the police or military
against even anticipated disorder. Such
dignifed, manly and conservative conduct
In the midst Of excitement and threatened
starvation is worthy Of the highest type of
American citizenship, and will, like pru-
dence in all other directions, result in due
time in the lawful and orderly redress of
labor wrongs
As to the great railroad strike proper
the report says:
1t is apparent that the readiness to
strike alphabetically was promoted by
the disturbed and apprehensive condition
OF railroad employees, resulting from wage
reductions on different lines, blacklisting,
etc, from the recent growth Of the GEN
eral Managers association, which seemed
to them menace.
Farther on the report says; 1t is seriously
questioned, and with much force, whether
from "persuading' each other In industrial
or matters Of common interest. However,
it is generally recognized among good citi-
zens that mandate of court is to be
obeyed until 1t is modified and corrected
by the court that issued it.
The policy, the report says, of both the
Pullman company and the Railway Man
ayers association with reference to appli-
cations to arbitrate closed the door to all
attempts at Cancellation and settlement Of
differences. The commission is impressed
with the belief that a different policy
would have prevented the loss OF life and
great loss of property and wages occa-
stoned by the strike.
Arrival of Troops Opportune.
The report declares the arrival of the
troops at Chicago was opportune, and says
that policemen sympathized with the
strikers, rather than with the corpora
tions, cannot be doubted. Nor would it
be surprising to find the same sentiment
rife among the military. The danger is
growing that in strike wars between cor
porations and employees military duty will
ultimately have to be done by others than
volunteers from labor ranks.
United States deputy marshals to the
number of 5000 were selected by an ap-
pointment at the request of the General
Managers association and of its railroads.
They were armed and paid by the railroads
and acted in the double capacity of railroad
employees and United States officers. This
is placing officers of the government under
control of a combination of railroads. 1t
is bad precedent that might well lead to
serious consequences.
There Is no evidence before the commits
sion that the officers of the American
Railway union at any time participated in
or advised intimidation, violence or de-
struction of property, They knew and
fully appreciated that as soon as 1nobs
ruled the organized forces of society would
crush the mobs and all responsible for
them in the remotest degree, and that this
meant defeat. The attacks upon corpora
lions and monopolies by the leaders in
their speeches are similar to those to be
found in the magazines and industrial
works of the day. From the testimony it
is fair to conclude that strikers were con
cerned in the outrages against law and or
der, although the number was undoubt-
eddy small rs compared with the whole
number out.
The People Responsible.
Many impartial observers are reaching
the view that the real responsibility for
these disorders rests with the people
themselves, and with the government for
not adequately controlling monopolies and
corporations, and for failing reasonably
to protect the rights of labor and redress
its wrongs. None assert that laws can
completely remedy contentious as to
wages, etc, but many do insist that some
thing substantial can be accomplished in
this direction If attempted honestly, rea-
sonably and in good faith.
The commission contends that laws
should make it obligatory upon some pub
lie tribunal promptly to intervene by
means of investigation and Cancellation,
and report whenever n difficulty of the
character of that occurring during the
past season at Chicago arises
The report then urges the wisdom of ar
bitration in order to bring capital and
labor together rs allies, ridiculcs the efforts
of some courts to construe labor organiza-
tions as unlawful conspiracies, denounces
employers who insist upon individualism
for workmeh, while demanding for them
selves the right to combine, and says we
must all recognize the fact that labor
unions have come to stay, and to grow
more numerous and powerful.
The commission deems recommenda-
a problem, for instance, as universal gov
eminent ownership of railroads is too vast,
many sided and far away, IL attempted, to
be considered as an immediate, practical
remedy. Should continued combinations
and consultations result in half dozen
or less ownerships of our railroads within
a few years, as is by no means unlikely,
the question of ownership will be forced to
the front, and we need to be ready to dis
pose of it intelligently
Permanent Commission Recommended.
The commission recommends a perma.
nent United States strike commission of
three members, with powers similar to
those vested in the interstate commerce
commission, said commission to be u prac-
tical board of Cancellation. 1t recommends
such revision of existing laws as to require
trades unions to expel members indulging
In acts of violence; also that Individual
members shall be no moro liable for cor
porate acts than are stockholders of cor
porations. 1t urges employers to recognize
labor organizations, and urges labor organ
i2ations to incorporate.
We ought now to inaugurate a perma-
nent system of investigation into the re-
lations between railroads and employees,
In order to prepare to deal with them in
diligently, and that we may conserva-
lively adopt such remedies as are sustained
by public opinion for defects or wrongs
that may from time to time appear
The commission is satisfied that if EN-.
ployers everywhere will entleavor to act in
concert with labor-that is, when wages
can be raised under economic conditions
they be raised voluntarily and when there
are reductions reasons be given for the re-
iuction-much friction can be ayerted
AT an election publication near Cove