New-York tribune., 1900-05-02
THE BUFFALO STRIKE.

The amanaCs should all contain a notice for
/ the months closely preceding a Presidential
campaign, About this time look out for strikes
1t is generally difficult if not impossible to trace
the connection between the strikes of pros
porous times and the politicians anxious to pro-
mote discomfort, but the usefulness of labor
troubles as aid to the Democratic party, the
repeated coincidence of such troubles with the
needs of that party and the frequent difficulty
of finding adequate explanation of disputes on
any reasonable basis of labor interests all point
to the suspicion of political purpose. If the
Democracy had had any doubt before of the eff
cacy of strikes in campaigning the Homestead
difficulties of 1899 convinced ii that they We're
instruments not TO be neglected At this time,
when the country is in full tide of prosperity
and wages are being voluntarily raised, there is
great danger that laborers may look with favor
upon the Republican party and contrast the
good fortune they enjoy under It's administra-
ton with the hard times encountered during
Democratic rule. This tendency might be coun-
teracted by bitter and widespread labor dis
puteS and. if possible few examples of mill
tacg despotism' i'll the preservation of order
Hence about this time look out for strikes
The telegraphic reports of the strike in Buff
faiO seem to indicate that it was engineered by
outsiders. Samuel GOmpers was about-a sig
nificant sign. On the morning of the strike the
men appeared for work with their dinner pals,
and it was only after persuasion from leaders
that they were convinced they had a grev
ance. The authorities OF the NewYork Central
against which the strike is chiefly directed, show
a conciliatory disposition, and there is yet
reason to foreSee any trouble continua-
ton of the dispute unless the strike leaG~rs
really want a dispute and not reasonable ad-
justment. The threat that no time for nego-
tatiOn will be given by the strikers is not reas-
suring of their reasonable Intentions The Cen
tral officials say that, though March IA they
voluntarily gave increase of 10 per cent to
the greater number of the repairers now out
they are willing to meet the men half way on
the question of wages. They are not disposed
to concede the other demands concerning the
management Of the road and they give sound
reasons for their position
In reply to the demand that no one shal! be
employed or discharged by the company except
with the consent of the who are now out,
the posiuoh or the company is, the officers being
responsible for the safety of the lives Of its pas
sengers and employees, for the protection of the
public in the operation of its railroad. and for
the rapid and continuous carriage of the bust
ness of the country, that it cannot and will not
delegate to others the selection of the men upon
whose skill and fidelity so much depends
4 railroad can no more be managed without
discipline than an army, and the Central officers
whose lives and property are in their charge if
they permitted labor unions or anybody else to
take the control of the working of the road from
their hands. Reasonable employees must realize
this themselves and understand that they can
not hope for public sympathy in any demand
which relieves the railroad company of direct
and absolute responsibility for the conduct of
any of its subordinates. sympathy with their
desire to strengthen their organizations is we'll
enough, but if their strength depends on giving
them power in railroad management for the
use of which there is responsibility so much
the worse for the organizations. Even if the
railroad officials do make unjust discrimination
in employing and dischargng men, other
power can safely be intrusted with the right to
say who is and who is not fit to handle a train
or safely repair car. A town meeting cannot
do it. Neither a labor union nor any indi-
vidual owing allegiance to one.