The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-06-27
Broiled Chicken and Strikes

rum AAAt AAlAAsA-fi AAAAt7A hfAlfaAAs
George Mcbride is a walking delegate,
or it may be that he holds place OF high
er degree IN the organization of labor ;
what j. 10 the purpose Is that he acted as
leader Of certain wagc-carners who were
on strike against the proprietors Of the
Washington mills I'm Lawrence. Mass.
The strike came TO a close somewhat sud
denly. and all because one of the strikers,
when wife and children were suffering
while he lay idle. bethought him Of insti-
miing inquiry as to how things went
with George Mcbride while the poor,
down-trodden workmenr wore living on
half rations and fighting 3" the hloated le-
gions Of capital' under the leadership Of
the aforesaid George.
The "humhle operative did not 90
about his work in any indirect manner.
but in open meeting. andat the close OF a
fervid harangie by George aforesaid FOR
continuance Of the fight until death or
victory IL reached theaiorcsaid humble
operative" did PROFOUND certain ques-
tions 10 George, in manner and form as
follows, 20 Wit;
How much money have you drawn
from the strike funds?
Are the new and stylish clothes that
you are now wearing paid for out OF the
strike funds?
How long have you been occupying
rooms in a first-rate hojels
Have you had broiled spring chicken
To eat every day?
behind with your house rent before the
strike began, and have you paid mp your
arrearages since the strike began2
Did you spend s. in one saloon, treating
the strikers aud encouraging them 10
prolonged resistance? II SO. where did
you get the 3?
DO you ever buy cigars M les than q
''three-for-a-Quarter r.ne?"
How many strikes have you engi-
neered?
During the good year OF IS9l-se, in
which there were few strikes, and Ia
which every man who wanted 20 work
could ind work 10 do. how long did you
work?
Did you work rs much as one-third oi
the time?
Really. now, did You not loaf two
thirds of the time?
Did not your wife work and support
you while You were loafng?
Did you not carry her dinner to the
mill every day and then return 10 your
home or to some saloon and there melii-
tate or orate upon the oppression oi
laborgr'
To these very direct questions George
Mcbride returned very unsatisfactory
answers. whercupon the =" humble opera
ti,e" moved that ~this meeting do de
clare the strike OF at the Washington
mills which was carried without dis
senting voice. II George now Doe eating
broiled spring chicken, smoking three
f0r-a-quarter cigars, spending = per day
in saloons. wearing new and elegant
clothes. and boarding at a iirst-class ho-
iel. il i al the cost of another set oi
dupes- Henccforth the wage-carners al
Washington mills. Lawrence. Mass. viii
settle their difficulties without his valua-
Die but expensive aid Il l. qaitc possi-
bic that George is quietly loaiiug and
planning a new campaign against the
''oapitalistic tyran.s,'' while his wife Is
working in mill, George carrying meals
Ia her at intervals OF his neditations on
the " wrongs Of labor
il were well were All men on strike 10
rcilecs upon the ''soilnoss Of the snap
that labor agitators enjoy IN times OF
adversely and upon their willingness To
work in times Of prosperity. George is
bIt one of many who grow Eat upon the
decisions af honest men.