The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-07-06
Is Debs Sincere ?

- OCD5 oAAANCACs
Mr. Debs, the president OF the railway
union, is being quoted in the Chicago
newspapers as saving not more than
year ago that ne did not believe in strikes
and boycotts, and that he regarded with
feelings akin TO adherence those violent
demonstrations which have been made by
railway employees who have been engaged
in contests with their employees" Such
sentiments as these led good many
newspapers TO commend the railway
union which Mr. Debs was engaged in or
gaining They recognized that labor
was entitled 10 have organization of
some sort, and they regarded it as
healthy sign that a great organization
was about 10 be perfected that would dis
couutenance strikes and boycotts. The
railway union is only little more than
a year old. and yet Mr.. Debs has brought
on the greatest strike and boycott the
country has ever known. The question
arises was he sincere when he was talk
ing against strikes and boycotts. or was
he only trying TO allay .suspicion as to the
real purpose he had in view? 1t looks
very much as if he were not sincere. This
view is sustained by the proclamations
he is now sending out, that the whole in
fiuence Of the union is being used to pre-
vent interference with the running Of
trains and the destruction of property.
There is interference, however, with
the running of trains, and very serious
interference Indeed, that is about all
the railway officials complain Of They
believe they could get enough competent
men to run their trains if the strikers
were kept within bounds.
Mr. Debs, like other labor leaders, in
sists that violence and interference with
the operating of the roads is against the
orders Of the union. But what does Mr..
Debs' orders amount tol The strikers
pay no attention to them. They proceed
to wreck trains and destroy railroad
property with as much freedom and
satisfaction as if they had been ordered
to do that kind of work. 1t is useless for
Mr.. Deos to try to conceal the truth. He
knew very well there would be violence
if the strike was ordered. He is as re-
sponsible therefore, for whatever damage
there may be done as if he had directed
an attack on trains and new train hands.
1t does not look as if Mr., Debs had con-
sidered at all the interests of the men
who compose the Railway Union. He
made them take the risk of losing their
places in order, it is believed that he
might test the strength of thesorganiza-
tion be had built up. He pretends, of
course that he is making fight for labor
in all parts of the country by taking up
the cause of Pullman's employees He
cannot help knowing that if this strike
which he has ordered should succeed
labor would be worse off than ever before,
because it would be in the grasp of an
organization controlled by one or more
weak, but ambitious. men, that would be
engaged pretty much all the time in a
strike or boycott. Labor would be in a
constant state of disturbance, and indus
tries, under such conditions, could not
thrive, and, hence, could not pay liberal
wages.
The question whether the Pullman
company treated its employees fairly or
not does not enter into the pending issue
The chances are it did not but that is no
reason why the whole country should be
made to suffer. Why should a Georgia
melon grower be deprived of a chance to
sell his crop because the Pullman COM
pany has a dispute with its employees in
respect TO wages
Mr.. Debs is a young man, who is either
lacking in judgment or else he is ambi-
bilious, and is willing to crafty his am
bition at the expense Of the labor he pre-
tends to protect.