The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-07-07
DON'T STRIKE. BUT TOTE.

a n
The strike of the American Railway
union to compel George N. Pullman to
arbitrate his differences with his en-
ployes, il in danger OF ending in IRE and
blood. In this il resembles nearly every
big railroad strike that has been seen in
this country. No matter how just the
demands of the strikers. or how temper
ate and law abiding they are in their ac-
tions, the mob element Of the large cities
takes advantage of their strike to at once
begin riOting and plundering.
If the strike could be confined to the
strikers themselves, perhaps no such
scenes as those being Witnessed in CHI
cago now would take place
The public dislikes George NJ. Pullman
aud his methods fully as cordially az the
A r. q. He Is an arrogant, unjust man,
who, while he repeatedly cuts down the
wages Of his employees, refuses to lower
their rents or water rates, and insists that
his company shall pay just az large divi-
%e.lds to the stockholders as in prosper
GUS times
For this, he meets with the universal
denunciation of the people Of this coun-
try. They have no sympathy to waste
on him. There is not fair minded man
in this country who does not believe that
Pullman ought to arbitrate this difficulty
with his employees.
Arbitration between corporations and
their employees is what an appeal to the
courts is to individuals It was the GUS
tom in medieval times when two men
disagreed, that each arm himself and
that they fight it out" until one or the
other succumbed. Civilization has sup
planted this barbarous and bloody Gus
tom with a Judiciary system, 80 far as
individuals are concerned
But labor troubles are still left to be
settled by mere brute force. 1t seems to
us that it is high time in this so-called
enlightened age that system Of arbi-
tration be established by law for the set
Element of differences between capital
and labor
The necessity of arbitration being ad-
mitted, il the strike the best method to
secure arbitration? We think not
Though the intentions of Mr. Debs and
his associates may have been of
the best we already see that
the strike which he Intended
to be but dignified withdrawal Of the
A r. L. men from their tasks, has go
beyond MS control. Blood is being shed
is being destroyed. Certainly, Mr..
Debs didn't intend thar this should hap
pen But now he is powe4less to prevent
it. II j. an insurrect loa which must be
stopreI by the government The pri-
mary objects 81 tEe \. T. U. are COM
iner1afie IL IS 4n Organization Of our
beas railroad men which san aecomi lisa
great good * "a wiAl proceed iu tne right
direction. Bst y This Strike tha r,eit
method 10 secure aroi-f atoms 8 not
political action n-cn sAier and sugers
Arbitration, we believe, wiu ne-ar be
brought about III strikes. hut Id can Da
brought about BY Legislation Let tie
A. X. U. and kindred labor organizations
secure pledges from mem oers II the leg
iSlafure and "a congress to work aud vose
for the Incorporation Of an aci providing
for arbitration tribunals IN the statutes
of the states aud United 7tates and il
will be a matter Of but few years he
fore they Will secure a law THAI will be
just to all concerned
Let US have no more of strikes with
their attendant incendiarism and blood
shed.