St. Paul daily globe., 1894-07-17
ONE GREAT Loss.

One effect of the railroad strikes now
about drawing to close, and of all
strikes in industrial occupations, fire.
Quently overlooked by those concerned,
and yet it is an Important factor both TO
employe aud employers the loss of that
mutual respect for and condolences in
each other which is necessary for the
fullest development of energy and the
best results to enterprise. No man can
do good work who doubts the apprecia-
tion of his employer. He may strive as
hard as he will, but there is something
lacking - some incentive to excel is
wanting. And the employer labors
under the same disadvantage. He may
see means by which he might add to his
business and the number Of his work
men. but he fears to risk the expert
ment, for he does not know at what
moment those whom he has called to
assist him may rise in revolt, and either
close his works or so cripple him as to
render his hest efforts fruitless of re-
suits.
A strike is great destroyer. 1t not
only nullifies the efforts of years on the
part of both employer and employe, but
it destroys the faith of the one in the
other. 1t is not natural that any
man, even though actuated in all mat
ters by the kindllest of motives, should
feel safe in trusting his business in the
hands of men who were constantly
seeking for an opportunity to injure
him by extorting from him the last
oP
The instinct Of self-preservatlon is
strong in him as in others. He takes
every advantage that comes his way,
and resists tn the utmost every effort TO
place his business at the mercy of those
who seem to regard him as common
enemy rather than a common friend.
There are men-and unfortunately
they are to be found in both classes
who seem to regard it as necessary to
create and perpetuate enmities that
have no cause for existence. Harmony
is 10 them an abnormal condition; strife
the natural order of things. They
argue that if worman is content with
his wages and his tasks it is an evidence
of his subsection to capital, and that he
hood only bv frequent rebellion and
protest. In their view it matters not
whether these protests are needed or
not. or whether the rebellion is success
full or disastrous. II is enough to them
to know that Labor has asserted its
dignity" even though the assertion of
that dignity has cost millions Of money
and caused infinite suffering. Expert
ence does not teach wisdom; privation
does not bring discretion. They no
sooner recover from the effects of
one defeat than they plunge maily
into the arena, seeking repetition of
their discontinue.
Many short sighted men seem to think
that an employer is benefited by grind
ing those he employs down to con-
dition bordering upon slavery. And a
few employing corporations pursue
such policy. but to their own mani
fest injury. The history of industry in
the United States proves that in those
lines where workmen are treated with
the greatest consideration-in which
their rights are jealousy guarded by
their employers-the greatest prosperity
is manifest. The building trades fur
nish illustration in point. In these the
wages are hlgh-as they should be when
the shortness of the season is taken into
acc0unt-but Notwithstanding this fact,
there are no contractors whose profits
are more certain and satisfactory.
Plumbers receive better pay than pro-
fessional men, and yet the employing
plumbers are accumulating wealth at a
rapid rate. lion workers, as rule, are
we'll paid-from S3 day upward-and
yet their employers have no reason to
complain. We seldom hear of strike
among locomotive or stationary en-
gineers, yet their wages have been sub
Ject to the same fluctuations that are
noted in other trades. These men know
that their services will always be in de-
mand at whatever rate the labor market
will warrant. They know the value of
their services, and their employers ap-
preciate the necessity of having reli-
able men, and consequently there is
seldom dispute leading to lockout or
a strike. Forbearamce and mutual con-
cession have superseded the dictatorial
spirit on both sides. Each respects the
other: each has confidence in the fair
ness that the other aims to exercise.
1t will be many months, if not years.
before the railroad managers and en-
ployes now in conflict can feel as secure
in each others confidence as they were
two months ago. Both feel that they have
suffered grieyous wrong. Doubtless
there was blame on each side, but all
differences might have been amicably
adjusted but for the interference of
few professional agitators who have no
abiding interest in the welfare of either.
These have been the disturbing element
the marplots who live upon the sor-
rows of others; whose greatest profit
comes from plungiDg those they assume
to serve into the greatest distress. Itis
the duty of the labor organizations to
drive out these men, and act upon their
own responsibility and for their own
interest in the future. The anarchistic
''organizers" and the arrogant walking
delegates" are simply busybodies who
are stirring up strife with selfish pur-
poses in view. They do no cause anv
good; the evidences of the harm they
create are thick as leaves that strew
Valambrosa.
HOW VERY DISINTERESTED.
We are sure that the Democrats
Of Minnesota will be affected to
tears by the heartfelt interest In
them and their welfare taken by
the Minneapolis Tribune. Cases in
this hard, old world are so rare where
an organ of one political organization is
really alarmed because the opposing
party may do something that will bring
disaster to itself: when it sounds its
loud, clear note to warn its enemy that
it is walking towards a precipice. or