Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-07-05
raE DEBs STRIKE

There is a saying regarding the pitch
err that went 10 the well once too often
which may ere long fit the cases of GER
tain autocratic labor leaders If much
more is put upon the forbearancs and
patience OF the public, such as this
sympathetic" Pullman strike.
The people and the laws are exceed
ingly lenient toward organized labor
and always have been, though frequent
ly at the expense of great loss and in
convenience. But there is such thing
as limit to even the placidity OF tenn
per Of the American people, and Presi-
dent DEBs, Of the American Railway
Union, with his sympathetic strike, has
reached dangerously near it,
The public can sympathizs with a
just grievance and just strike, and it
never fails TO do so, usually giving labor
the benefit Of the doubt; but the sym
pathetic Pullman strike makes too large
a draft on the good-nature and cred
Utility OF the people.
The original Pullman strike, IL the
published statements regarding it are
correct, was, itself, unwarranted. Ac-
cording TO Mr.. PULLNIAN's statement,
at the time OF the strike the works were
running at loss to the company, de-
spite the fact that wages had been re-
duced and but little over half the
usual force Of men employed. They
were run thus in preference to closing
the shops and throwing the whole force
idle. Yet the strike for restoration
Of last years wages was ordered, and a
bad situation made much worse.
But, whatever may be the merits or
dement's Of the Pullman strike, proper,
there can be no question as TO the in
justice and uafairness TO all concerned,
and utter uursasonableness Of the
Debs sympathetic strike, which has
stopped transportation and paralyzed
business in the west. The American
Railway Union and its president had no
grievance whatever against the rail-
roads in whose employ they earn their
bread. Wages were satisfactory, and
there was no complaint OF any kind
heard from the railroads or their en-
ployes. But, DEBs. the autocrat Of the
A. r. T., sympathized with the Pull
nan strikers and turned in to help
them By ordering his men out
bodily and tielng up nearly every
western road that had contract to
carry Pullman cars on its trains, stop
ping passenger and freight traffic, par
alyzlng business and causing immense
loss, particularly in perishable freight,
and untold Inconvenience to all the
people, the prices of whose food have
Jumped beyond the reach Of many, a
condition of things that has been felt
as far away from the strike center as the
Atlantic seaboard. The business OF the
public has been as calmly aud coOlly
sacrificed by Autocrat DEBS as II the
affairs of the people were Of no more
consequence than a snap Of his finger.
The rights OF millions OF American
citizens weigh as nothing with him
against his desire TO see few
thousand car workers succeed in
purely local strike for more
wages, a strike which has no more to do
with the railroads or the A. r. u. than it
has with that branch OF organized labor
controlled by SOVEREIGN, who also has
contributed his mite to the cause Of the
Pullman boycott by paralyzing the stock
Yards business and throwing $4,000
men idle; or with that branch con-
trolled by that other despot, MCBRIDE,
who telegraphed DEBs that il the rail
roads did not obey and stop transpOrta-
ton he would order out all the coal
miners again and deprive the people of
fuel.
It is this misuse of organized labor
which sis its great danger, and which
il persisted in is bound ever 10 keep the
country in turmoil, for there will al
ways be some strike in progress for the
nrpsrs m svmpafhfze with and In nara
lyze trade and commerce and ruin
innocent people on account thereof and
because Of such touching sympathy.
1t Is time the wings OF these little
despots were clipped, and President
DEBs would be az excellent one to begin
on at once.