Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-09-04
INDUSTRIAL WAR.
FIERCE STRIFE GROWN OUT OF THE
COMPETITIVE SYSTEM.

Grent and Good Work Done by La.
Dor Organizations Better Thing,
In store-Mayor Jones on the CIeve.
land boycott.
My observation Of the situation with
reference to the boycott of the Big Con
sOlidated Street railway at Cleveland
is that il is a battle of money against
men-mOney against morals; that the
street railway company, true to the rec.
ord that has been made by business,
and especially by corporations, in this
country during the past % years, has
not only been lawless, but has been in
human and merciless in carrying out
its business plans. 1t was lawless in
refusing to submit the case to the reg
ularly constituted legal authorities of
the state-the state board of arbitra-
tion-repeating the trite saying of
George NJ. Pullman, that there was
nothing to arbitrate. So far as / could
learn there was no disorder in the city.
The cars were running along the
streets, carrying but few passengers
and indicating that the boycott is still
pretty well in force.
In my address at the strikers picnic
i said: 81 do not believe in war at all
i do not believe that any good thing
was ever obtained through war that
could not have been better obtained
by methods of peace. 1 do not be-
lieve that any good was ever accom-
plished by punishment that could not
have been better accomplished by
love; but the people who do believe
In the war that our country is now
carrying on with respect to the Philip
pines-all of these people," / said,
must admit that both sides have an
equal right to fight. and herein is the
justification for all forms of organiza-
ton of men got together for what is
called mutual protection" The very
existence of such organizations is a
condemnation of the present system. 1t
may be that the boycott is to bring to
us n better conception of the new
patriotism.
When the Apostle Paul visited the
Corinthian church he found the people
in great uproar over the eating of
meat. This great philosopher quickly
proposed a solution of the question in
these memorable words. IF the eat
ing of meat cause my brother to Of
fend. | will eat no more meat while
the world stands" Is it not barely
possible that there is conception of
patriotism in Cleveland, in Ohio, in
these United States today that is say
ing. IF the running of street cars
makes necessary the dehumaniZing OF
my fellow men. makes necessary the
degradation OF American citizens to
the level OF serfs and below. then
will not ride on the street cars while
these conditions remain. while men
who operate street cars are forced to
be something less than men. less than
human
| have a right to say that I will not
ride on cars where my fellow men are
thus outra ged-nay. more. | have n
RICH: to ask my brother men that they
withhold their patronage and place
the seal OF their condemnation upon
organized wrong of this kind against
American citizenship.
And is IL not probable that we are
on the eve of the new time when this
new patriotism is TO take such deep
root in all the people that this princi-
pie will be extended not only to the
street railway service. but to every
department of industry where human
labor is employed; when we will. re-
alizing our social responsibility. re-
alizing that we are our brothers keep
er. make it our business to see that
every American works under condi-
tons that grant him the privilege
end right TO live a decently human
life, and that we will refuse TO partici-
-
toll In order TO furnish ill gotten gains
for private profit getters?
believe this is the meaning and the |
lesson of the boycott.
or course. such weapon as the |
boycott would not be used in an ideal |
society. because the necessity for il |
would not exist. 1t is not n pleasant |
means OF persuasion. but IL is gentle |
and humane compared with the meth |
DDS OF some of the great trusts.
The primary objects for which work |
Ingmen combine are self protection and |
They do not wish TO strike |
Or make war upon society
Those who would understand the sub |
jects and spirit OF labor organizations |
should take notice of the notices
which they have adopted. The motto !
adopted by the knights OF Labor is.
An Injury TO one Is the Concern OF
ALL" The motto OF the Seamen's I'm
ion is 1.-THE Brotherhood of the Sea"
The Boot and Shoe Workers union has
for its creed. ''AIl For Each and Each
For An
In every case these precepts urge to-
ward comradeship and helpfulness.
The teaching OF the trade union is the
,uly ethical training that thousands of
workers receive. Their union becomes
heir church. and by acts OF practical
their moral natures are
made stronger.
Organized labor has done more in the
asst % years to teach the people OF
hese United States the purpose of gov
.rnment. the meaning OF justice. Ifber-
a.. Il