The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-29
Rational Comment on the Strike.

" y AGREEABLE contrast with
the reeking cffusions of yellow
Il journalism touching the strike
is the conservative and intelli-
gent manner in which this subject is
treated in todays outlook. Its staff
correspondent, Mr.. Charles +. Spahr,
long experienced in industrial investi-
cation, in fOur-page letter from
Hazleton sets forth The more substan-
tial of the actual grievances of in
dustrious miners and in the following
paragraph epitomizes the pivotal diff
nCulty, now, ii is hoped, in course Of
modification:
The conflict ccutcrs in the attitude taken by
the railroads. These, the men know, own p per
cent. Of the anthracite fields, and by charging
for the shipment of hard coal three Tunes as
much as railroads usually charge to ship soft
coal, the roads make it impossible for any Of
the operators to grant their employees the al.
vaucrS sought. The strike, therefore is a
strike against the oytortion of the railroads. The
hard-coal roads charge twice as much for hauI.
ing anthracite as the Suft.Coal roads charge tor
freight Of all classes. Coal is notoriOusly the
cheapest kind Of freight to handle. The charge
for hauling anthracite could bc reduced one.
half and still leave an excessive margin, The
reduction Of orc-haf would mean 20 cents
ton TO be divided between producers and con-
sumcrs
In its editorial comments upon the
strike, the outlook is also sane and
sensible. 1t anirms there principles
which embody incontrovertible truth:
!. The woikingman's worst enemy is he who
cndcayOrs to persuade him to diShonor himself by
violating his sacred word or by entering into Il
labor war when he has no cause. The miners
who are working for c. b. Marlle X Co. are
practically without grievance They have an
agreement with their employers TO arhirate any
differences which may arise. The endeavor Of
Sir Mitchell to induce them to violate that
agreement and go upon a strike when THEY have
no grievances to be rcdrcSscd is bad morals and
bad policy. 1t is bad morals because it seeks
10 stir up causclgss strife between copartncrs in
common undertaking, and because it asks men
to violate II solemn contract made to meet just
such eNigeneios as the present. 1t is bad policy
because ii employers learn that he who treat,
his men well is just as liable to strike as he
who treats them in, and that agreements to
arbitrate are binding only employers but
not on employed all interest 10 treat men well
and all motive to submit issues to voluntary ar.
bitration will be taken away.
H. The first and fundamental right Of labor
Is the right 20 be Tree, This right the state
ought TO protect at all hazards 1t ought not
to leave it to be protected by private enter.
prise. To permit a corporation to arm lis
rctainers by swearing them in deputies is 10
incite TO private war; This method always has
led 10 violence and always will. Governor
Roosevelt, when the workers at Crotun Dam
were threatened by a mob, set an example which
we are glad TO see there are indications the
governor of Pennsylvania is inclined to follow
with the first threat Of danger there ought "a
he sent TO the scene Of disturbance a body Of
armed and welldrilled troops, in the pay
of the state and under the command Of tho
state, prepared to protect person and property
from every form Of violence. Whenever and
wherever the right Of any man TO work peaceably
where he will, for whom he will. at what
wages he will, under what conditions he will
"a threatened II should he protected-not by
privately armed forces, but by the state II
the terms and conditions on which labor may