New-York tribune., 1899-07-17
LABOR STRIKE OR STOCK JOBBINGs


a few days ago Mr.. Rossiter. the president of
the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company declared
that there was no ground for strike of that
company's employees and that the talk of such
o strike and the efforts 10 provoke one were
put forth by persons not employed by the com
pany nor identified with the labor organiza-
tions, for political effect or for stock jobbing
purposes. That was bold and startling dec
laration, but 1t was made deliberately by a
man of unchallenged integrity and Judgment
who is never given to talking idly. The charge
was, however so monstrous that people were
inclined TO wait, before fully credltng it, un-
I'll time for denial or corroboration had elapsed.
Such time has now elapsed, the strike which
seemed so unlikely because so unreasonable
which even the leader Of the workmens own
National organization advised against, has been
brought about, and under circumstances that
materially strengthen. If they do not wholly
confirm. Mr.. Rosster's statement. 1t is square
y. fatty and emphatically corroborated by
Mr.. Parsons, the General Master Workman of
the knights Of Labor, who declares himself
ready 10 make some startling and convincing
revelations on the subject. while those against
whom the accusation is directed meet il not
with the prompt and indignant denial with
which innocent men might be expected to repel
so foul an aspersion, but with cynical evasion
which falls little short of an admission Of guilt.
The present indication Is, then, that the
charges made by Mr.. Rossiter and repeated by
Mr. Parsons are true. If such shall prove to be
the case d new record will have been estab-
lished in human turpltude. The spectacle pre-
sented will not be that Of a great corporation
depressing its employees nor that Of organized
labor rebeng against the conditions of It's EN-
ployment, nor yet that OF either side in such
controversy resortng 10 violence for the fulfil
ment OF its ends. Such spectaces have been
seen far too often. But this will be some
thing worse. IT will be that OF unscrupulous
spectators intrudng themselves as mischief
makers between employers and employees, dis
turbng the harmonious and mutually satisfac-
tory relations between them, stirring mp social
strife and class hatreds throwing thousands OF
men out Of employment, making unproductlve
millions of honestly invested capital putting
hundreds Of thousands Of citizens TO untold in
convenience, expense labor and actual distress,
and not improbably precipitating strife blood
shed and loss Of life And all for what? For
the sake OF gaining few points In Wall
Street gambling game, and perhaps of enabling
one Of the authors of such deviltry TO pose upon
dcmagogic platform as a friend OF hui
nanity"
II is sad day for workmen when such in
trlguers are able 10 delude controlling body
of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company's en-
ployes. 1t does not speak well for their in
telgence or for the honesty Of union repre-
sentatives who have nursed their grievances
and sought pretexts for trouble No doubt they
have, or some Of them have, grievances There
are not many men, employees or employers, who
would not like in some respects to better the
conditions OF their business. But we do not
believe their original complaints were so spri-
Gus as TO give the slightest Justification for
strike, and the derived grievances from the
friction Of negotiation are evidently trumpcd
up subterfuges that wOrkmen. warned and ad-
vised by their own leaders. such as Mr. Par
sons, that they were being used by schemIpg
gamblers and politicians, might have been ex-
pected 10 disregard them
AS they failed 10 do so. they have brought
trades unionism face TO face with n serious
danger. The American people are In full SYM
pathy with all efforts Of wage earners TO bet
ter their condition. They Will support the
strongest possible organizations slnaly devoted
TO that aim But trades unions will be paving
the way for their own downfall II they sur
render themselves into the hands Of bribe TAX
ers who can be bought by any politician or
specuator. TO ruin their employers. or stir up
social disorder That is use OF the machinery
Of labor organization that will not long be toll
Grated and the sooner the laborers who are
made the victims Of such rascalIty find IT ont
and free themselves from those who sell them
the better 1t will be for the trades unions Ap-
parently large majority OF the Brooklyn rail
road employees understand this and refuse 10
be victimized. The fact that only small pro-
nortion OF the men responded to the strike