The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-03
Why The Strike
ShoUId Be RVerfed
From the Philadelphia Inquirer.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer
A MONG the anthracite newspapers there is not
m a note Of liscord on the question OF the
IA threatened strike in that region. Indeed,
it might fairl, be said that the press OF
the entire state looks forward with apprehen'
sion to the probability Of a struggle between
the operators and the men. There are rumors in
the territory Immediately affected that The pros.
pectve lockout was in reality planned by agents
of the bituminous interests, which would oi
necessity profit by a general suspension in the
anthracite region through an increase OF their
own sales and the widening Of their own mar
kcts. For it Is q truth easily proved by an ap-
peal to the history OF such struggles in the
anthracite territory, that there has never been
a prolonged strike there but that the soft coat
men stepped into fields not previously invaded
by them and held at least a large portion Of
them thereafter Throughout the Sohuylkill and
Lebanon Valleys portions o. the state where an
thracite once was King. the dense smoke OF bitn'
minous coal issues because Of the long strike ot
fourteen years ago. Strive as they would the
anthracite producers could not regain the foot
hold they had before that contest
o.
This then, the loss Of territory now held by
them, is one of the first reasons why the Inquirer
still hopes the moderation of the strike leaders
and the calm Judgment of the operators Will Yet
avert the threatened calamity The loss OF
market is, after all, only another name tor the
restriction Of trade and this the anthracite peo'
ple are now not in A position to invite. But
convincing as that reason is it is far from be-
ing the only one which should temper the de.
iberatons Of those into whose hands the set
tlcment OF the question has fallen. The men
themselves will be the heaviest losers Expert
cnce has shown that even when they win pro-
longed struggle of this character they yet sus'
tain net loss never afterwards to be regained,
the meanwhile their wives and children are fore
ed to endure untold privations. Save to those
who were fortunate to husband savings for
many years, and the number of these is not
large, the close of every strike leaves them n
Legacy of debt which must be paid OF worn
thereafter like yoke. And it is not only that
the well lack sufficient food TO sustain life.
The sick are denied the necessary medicines
and s,rstenance and drop at appalling rates into
early graves.
OF the losses Of the operators themselves it
is not necessary now 20 speak. They Will be
enormous, but they will not affect the health or
comfort of the operators or their families. But
what Of the business men, the merchants dnd
other dealers, who rely upon the miners trade
for their existence and who are consequently
bound to 90 to the wall when that stops? Men
of limited means themselves they must either
deny needy patrons the necessaries of life or
allow their goods to 20 without the slightest
assurance Of receiving payment for them All
| building will he postponed, throwing carpenters,
| masons, lathers, etc, ont Of work which they
had right to expect and thus further i'm
| povershing the community. Industries which
were projected will be halted and many of those
already in operation will be fortunate TO escape
collapse. And appalling as is this list Of prob
abilities it does not for an instant take Into
account the dire effects Of violence which Is al
most certain to cnsue II the strike is greatly
prolonged
That the men have grievances Is known from
| one end of the state TO tnc other, and thee
| griey ances, it is only fair to say, ought TO bC
remedied. II, however, the miners cannot al
| this time obtain all they ask they ought tC
effect a compromise upon some honorable basis