New-York tribune., 1899-07-26
POLITICAL LABOR FIGURES.

Mr.. Parsons, the labor agitator, Is unfortu-
nate in lacking sense of humor he solemnly
proposes that the street railroad strikers, who
did not know what they struck for, but failed
TO get II, whatever 1t was, should at once or
ganze themselves as a political party. But II
that means anything. it means 10 stand up and
be counted. Mr.. Parsons has made IL extreme
ly clear that this is the one thing above all
Others which he and his followers do not want,
for with all the boasts of leaders the strikers
were at no time able 10 command more than
a minority Of the men employed, and but a
small minority II only those are reckoned who
went into the strike willingly and were not
practically coerced by threats If the strikers
could be counted with cold blooded accuracy,
as ballots are counted, would probably ap-
pear that not a fifth Of the employees on street
car lines had any part in the strike. When
Mr. Parsons talks largely Of the army behind
him he might well take note that the official
recort of the State Labor Bureau, just pub
.lished. reckons only 5000 street railway en-
ployes as members Of any labor organization
in this city, though the whole number of men
so employed is more than twice as large. A
minority Of the men Joined the organization
minority of those who Joined were willing to
strike, and Mr.. Parsons thinks they should
stand up and be counted.
The need Of another labor party is not OBJ
vious. This State has possessed one already.
Its members have seen fit TO display their ideas
of self-government by firing into the air some
thing like a sixteth of the ballots cast-23, $50
for Governor, against 66L715 for Mr.. Roosevelt,
land 1,349,9S3 for all candidates in the State.
III man can accomplish anything by throw
ing away bis vote one would suppose he might
tas well throw IL for Social Labor candidates
as for any other. Mr.. Parsons issues a state
lment that organized labor embraces 206,1 100
men IN greater Ncw-York, but the official re-
ports from the organizations TO the State Bu-
'reau made the whole number on March 81 only
119.97s. with about 1000 more said to be mem
bers, but not reporting. Apparently what he
should desire least Of all things is an accurate
count which would reduce by about one-half
his estimate Of the force behind him. II he sup
noses that his 100000 will now withdraw them
selves from the parties they have supported
and set themselves to defeat the remaining
DOG 600 voters In the city, he is a cheerful man.
The customary talk Of the voting strength OF
labor organizations often invites reference
,o naked facts When the last census was
taken. ten years ago, the persons employed in
This state DuUDeItu -iSoo,'<o anu VIZ
surely has not diminished since. But the total
reported membership Of all labor organizations
IN the State, according TO the reports OF the
organizations themselves officially published by
.he State Bureau was on March 81 only 49,
6Is-about one in fourteen of the wage earners
employed ten years ago. and $4,000 less than
Ar Parsons claims for New-York City alone
when claims Of strength ere so widely at vari-
!. nee with officially recorded facts men find 1t