The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-14
A Crime.

Whoever is responsible for the threat
ened strike of nearly 10000 wage-earn-
ers is guilty Of an appalling crime. We
cannot attempt to locate the RESPONSE
bility. Disputes of this character usual
ly involve so many circumstances and
conditions which are not apparent to
any eye at distance that 1t would
be presumptuous to apportion the
blame. All that we can say is that
these differences ought not to be per-
mitted. by either party to them, to
reach the point Of open rupture. The
consequences are too momentous, the
loss and suffering involved are too
frightful.
The claims Of the men do not seem,
upon the surface. unreasonable. AS to
the proprlety OF their demand for an
increase in wages, only those who are
familiar with the actual situation are
competent to pass upon that. There
seems reason in their demand that
they be paid by the standard OF ton
containing the same number OF pounds
as the ton by which the operators sell
their product. But this. obviously. is
a demand in another form for an added
wage. The standard ton cuts little fig
ure. II Is the sum which the miner
is able to earn by an average days
loh nr he Il 49, % h1tl ed
If that were agreed upon. the unit OF
measurement would be immaferial; the
total daily wage being the vital mat
ter. The complaint against the COM
pany stores Is an old and apparently
well-founded one. Whether, on the
other hand. political influences have
had part in promoting these disagree
ments does not appear. but II is sus-
pected and. In some quarters. asserted
positively. 1t is rare that presidential
year fails to mature a plentiful crop Of
labor difficulties.
Whatever be the merits of the case.
the whole country will agree that no
strike should be forced by the oper-
ators and none ordered by the men
until every preventive resource has
been exhausted. The strike is always
wasteful method OF adjusting differ
ences. admissible only when they have
reached point where agreement is ut
teriy impossible. But a strike involv-
ing 80 many men, affecting the. COM
forts and lives of probably more than
half a million people In all. Is a calam-
ity whether It succeeds OF fails. For
In either event. even though II be con-
Quoted with reason and moderation,
and without the unhappy accessories
that have become too familiar 20 the
public. II means the inevitable loss OF
millions OF dollars In wages on one side
and In profits on the other. The oper-
ators can reeoup themselves 10 GER
tain extent at least. especially at this
season, By marking up the price OK
coal. The men must pay their expenses
out Of their own pockets; and victory
never restore. 20 them the sum total ot
their losse.
This Is pre-emlnently one OF the
csssa where arbitration should step In.
No strike has yet taken place, so that
the questions Of dignity and broken
relation Of employer and ernploye that
often rise cannot enter. No matter who
Is right and who Is wrong. or whether
as is generally the case there Is right
and wrong Ia mixed proportions on
both sides, nothing Is lost By submit
ting the case 20 proper tribunal. What
would be saved Is millions OF dollars.
she happiness and comfort OF thons-
ands OF honest and deserving people.
and that bitterness and inclination TO
desperate deeds that follow 50 closely
the trial OF brute strength between
capital and labor. For either party TO
compel a strike II 1t can be averted
by arbitration win no, be less than a
crime.