The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-25
CHANGE OF METHODS BY ORGAN
lied LABOR.

Recent events and expressions of labor
leaders indicate a marked change in the
purposes and methods of organized labor in
recent years. Less than decade ago they
all partook largely of violence. The pro-
fessed objects of labor organizations We're
as legitimate and commendable then as they
are now, viz, the elevation of labor, the
advancement of worlxingmen and the inn
provement of their condition mentally, NOR
ally financially ETC. These objects were en-
tirely praiseworthy, but the methods by
which it was sought to attain them were
often if not generally most censurable.
Strikes and boycotts were the most COM
mon, and they were generally accompanied
by more or less terrorism and violence. The
most incendiary leaders were the most
popular, and it was rare to find the head of
a labor organization counseling peaceable
methods and strict obedience to law 1t
was almost a foregone conclusion that every
strike of considerable dimensions would
eliminate in violence and bloodshed. In the
great Pittsburg riots, the Homestead strike,
the railroad strike of 1894 and others there
was great destruction of property and con-
siderable loss of life. The leaders of some
of the largest labor organizations were
noisy propagandists of revolution. If they
did not openly scout the idea of arbitration
or compromise they showed by their acts
that they did not want anything of the
kind, and really did all in their power to
prevent it. It was an era of violence and
the leaders not only represented that spirit
but did all they could to foment it.
But great change has been going on.
Within the last few years there has grown
up a strong sentiment in favor of arbitra-
ton not only in labor controversies but in
international disputes. This sentiment has
made itself felt in labor organizations and
in legislation. Many of the States have ap-
pointed boards Of arbitrator, and recent
events have shown how useful they may be-
The boycott has come to be regarded as
an un-American, vindictive method and has
fallen into great disfavor. The foremost
labor leaders of the country are persistent
in their appeals in favor of law-abiding and
peaceable methods. Compared with those
of a few years ago they are very conserva-
tive. Walking delegates and professional
agitators have very little influence COM
pared with what they had few years ago.
Strikes are discouraged except as a last
resort, and then the strikers are urged by
all means to refrain from violence During
the recent strike Eugene V. Debs would
have brought on u collision if he could have
done so, but his efforts in that direction
failed. At the labor conference in ST. Louis
IL
but since then he has made another at
Chicago deprecating violence and declaring
in favor of peaceable methods. Even Debs
sees that the era of violence has passed
and that there is a decided reaction in the
other direction. During the recent strike
the efforts of Mr.. Ratchford, president of
the Miners Union, and other labor lead
ers, We're used as strongly as possible in
favor of arbitration and against violence.
Within few days the American Fedora
ton of Labor has declined to attend the
adjourned meeting of the labor conference
to be held at Chicago on Monday night,
and advises all trades unions not to be rep
resented there. There is no mistaking the
meaning of these Indications They mean
that the ruling element among the working
men, including the real labor leaders and
a large majority of the intelligent members
of labor organizations have discovered that
the true interests of labor cannot be pro-
NOTED by incendiary speeches or violence,
and that the only way to win public SYM
PATTY for their cause 10 TO deserve 1t by
adhering TO legitimate, legal and peace
able methods. These indications mean.
further. that arbitration as q means Of