St. Paul daily globe., 1894-06-13
THE STRIKE ENDED.

Inc miners strike is practically over.
Work has been resumed at most of the
mines, and the present week will doubt
less witness renewal of activity all
over the country.
The purpose OF the strike has been
partially. but not wholly accomplished.
The miners receive some concessions
from the operators, but not enough to
compensate them, even in moderate de-
gree. for the losses they have sustained
during their weeks of idleness. These
workers have sacrificed millions of dol
lars'in wages by the strike. At the in
creased rates they will hereafter receive
they cannot realize from their years
labor as much as they would have re-
eeiyed at the old rates if they had re.
mained at their post of duty. They
will be compelled. therefore, to econo-
mize in every way. They will be una.
ble to indulge in many little luxuries
they have heretofore enjoyed. and in
many casss will have to forego many
comforts and necessaries of life.
Whatever the merits of the contro-
yersy may be, it cannot but be acknowl-
edged that the strike was ill-timed. 1t
was ordered at a season when coal con-
sumption was reduced to its minimum.
Many of the factories had suspended
pending the disposition of the tariff bill
by congress, and many others were
about to suspend for the usual summer
vacation and for the purpose of making
repairs. Even private households con-
sumed but little coal. Nearly all the
dealerS-in the large cities had an abun-
dant supply OH hand for the season, and
many of the mines were we'll stocked
with the product in merchantable form.
At no time during the year could the
country better endure a-cOai famine,
There was another fact that prognostl-
Gated failure. There was a disposition
manifested in congress to place coal on
the free list, and this. if accomplished,
would have had tendency to decrease
rather than increase the wages of min
ers.
The conduct of the strikers has not
differed greatly from the conduct of
other Workmen under similar conditions.
There were among them lot of turbu-
ASAAS SHAAieo OSAe u pun SlOtCuCCs IHCSG
committed many acts Of outrage which
cannot be justified from any point of
view. The militia had to be called out
in several OF the states for the preserva-
ton of peace and the protection of
property, and the states. as a conse-
quence. have been subjected to an ex-
traordinary expense. But as rule the
strikers have been peaceaole. They
have been willing to submit their cause
TO arbitration, and have united finally
in favor of that course
A majority OF citizens believe that
the miners cause was a Just one, and
would have rejoiced to see them win.
But many sincere well-wishers have
questioned the 0pportuneness of the
strike, and have disapproved of some of
the methods employed. 1t has been a
great season for the professional agI-
tators, who have been enabled to make
tours of the country in palace cars. So
JOurning at first-class hotels, at the ex-
pense Of the labor organizations. These
have prohted largely, for, in addition to
their salaries. they receive a rather elas<
tic amount known as ''traveling and
contingent expenses. )" Those concerned
in the present agitation may have been
reasonable in Tie amounts they have
drawn from the treasures IF the labor
unions, but Oh some previous occasions
their bills have been most extraordinary,
resembling hore the list of expenses of
princes and their retinues than the trav-
cling expenses of modest iaboring mel,
working Tor a philanthropic purpose,
and only anxious to elevate their tel
lows i'll tie scale Of being.
But men in adj conditions will be glad
THAT there is at last prospect of general
p>sce. Although ths present situation
excited no alarm, there was ground for
grave apprehensions as to t,le future.
But there is time enough left in which
! to mine all the coal that may be neces-
sary for next winters consumption.
There is little prospect, however, that
prices will be reduced TO consumers.
Combined with a short or barely ade-
quate supply will be the fear of another
strike-for all arties to the new agree
ment are not perfectly satisfied, and
may rebel at any time. II the strike
should be renewed during the winter.
when the demand for coal is at its max
imum, there is every prospect that Sc
rious hardship would ensue, for the mass
OF tae people would be at tie mercy of
the coal miners and dealers, who are
none too scrHpui0Hs to lake advantage
OF such condition to raise the prices
all along the line. It il to be hoped.