New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-04
THE T4ILORS AND THEIR CAUSE.


The strike Of the taiors is not yet settled, but
there are signs of an early conclusion Of the
struggle with victory for the workers. If they
continue in the wise course which they have 50
far pursued Just how much progress has been
made toward settlement it is difficult to deter
mine. because of the conflicting statements made
by partisans OF the c0ntcnding parties. The
strikers declare that over 40 contractors out ot
1000 have signed the tailors' agreement, and
that AT least half of the workers are preparing
TO go 10 work. On behalf Of the Contractors
Association. however. It is said that the en-
ployers who have acceded TO the strikers terms
are not members of their organization. These
statements are not necessarily contradictory.
The Contractors Association includes only from
400 10 800 employers while there are altogether
$50 in New-York and more in nclghboring cities.
The association may have held its membership
together so far without preventing good mum
Der Of the tailOrs from getting work on sails
factory terms. As they only partially control
the trade, 1t will be- hardly possible for them
TO stand out indefinitely against the demands
Of their employees.
II is at least to be hoped that they cannot; Tor
thcrc is every reason to believe that these de-
mands are just. The legislative investigation
into sveatshop evils which has been going Oh
This summer has made il perfectly plain that the
small clothing contractors Of New York. who are
IN. mjddlemen between tie worker, and the
merchants. are despicabc masters. In general
they belong 10 the same class of people rs those
they opprcss. but this fact. instead II making
them more generous. just and honest employers,
seems TO make them the harder and more I'M
,h.f f.1l lss~
Of blood do not. as was shown before tho com
mittcc. prevent oppression on the part OF con
tractors. The agreements with The workers have
been violated; many II them are creditors Tor
their wages; the contractors delayed negotiations
for an agreement to take the place of The ~
piring one. apparently in the hope Of forcing
their men AT the last moment 10 abate some ~
their Just demands, and /, is charged that they
went abou, in the mean time trying to eNtor'
agreements from the workmcn In small groups
and so obtain terms which ihcy could not hope
70 secure when dealing with a representative
body. The contractors practically forced the
strike Testifying before the State Board of
Arbitration on Friday. the secretary OF the Con-
tractors Association declared that the present
controversy was not on "A question OF wages nut
that the strikers wanted to break up the contract
strongest claims that the strikers have 10 favor.
The swcatshop Is the child Of the contract sys-
,em and the sweatshop Is an evil, threatening
both to the worker and the community. The
perception Of this by the tailors. 50 that they
look beyond the question Of hours and wages 10
moral and physical conditions Of work, promises
a reform hardly TO be hoped for when me worst
sufferers from the evil were content with thcr
condition. The abolition OF the sweatshop ana
the contractor cannot be accomplished AT jump,
but any movement toward that much-dcsired
end will be regarded with favor by The public.
Another consideration which gives the strikers
claim to public sympathy Is the lawabidlng and
neaceful shirt that has characterized them from
the hccinning Of the trouble They are not
Anarchists and their leader Is not an Anarchist.
but they are earnest. hard-working and down
troddcn people, trying by the only means In their
power 10 secure conditions OF work TO which
they are Justly entitled. At This late day there
are rumors OF impending disorder. How far
they are due TO efforts 10 prejudice the cause Of
the strikers Is uncertain, though 1t would not be
surprising II there was some danger OF law
breaking; for 1t is TO be remembered that the
strikers are not for the most part intelligent
people educated in republican principles. They
are poor and ignorant, prone TO take law into
their own hands. but so far they and their lead
ers have shown good sense rare among people
involved In labor controversies. They should,
now that their victory is seemingly won. have
particular care against any outbreak Of temper.
alternating sympathy and endangering what they
have gained. From now on more than ever the
leaders .should counsel moderation on the part
Of their followers.