The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-07-18
The Machinists' Strike.
From the PHILADELPHIA Press,

From the Philadelphia Press.
The machinists' strike is reaching its end. lust
as the steel strike is beginning. The machinistS
strike was primarily for nine hours on the old
pay. 1t was made in breach OF agreement TO
give notice and arhtrate. The excuse on which
this violation OF contract was justified was in.
sufficient President O'Conncl began much as
President Shaifer begins now, with fiat de-
fance and the smallest possible concern for agree.
mentS, arbitration or mutual compromise. Even
in the proposition made last week TO the National
Metal Trades association by President O'Connell
through the National Civic Federation OF Chi
cago, the nine'hour day is exempted from arbi
traion, the center OF the dispute. 4 steady in
crease in wages and decrease in hours has been
going on for a century, The progress Is wise
Every movement toward it is welcome Whether
change in either direction can be made at any
particular stage is not a matter to he sprung
as an ultimatum, breaking an agreement to give
notice and arhitrate, but by careful examination
and fair negotiation. Neither was permitted in
the machnSts strike. After eight weeks, Pres,.
dent O'Conncll claims success The Metal Trades
association claims it, too. Neither has wholly
succeeded Labor has been the greater loser II
is altogether probable that If President O'Connell
had been more anxious TO win Tor his men than
to magnify his office either increased wages for
ten hours or the old wages for nine hours could
have been secured, as the latter was in Chicago
year ago. Certainly some advance could have
been gained, union scale agreed on and the
reputation OF the International Association of
MachinistS for a long headed policy and fair.
dealing established. James OConnell preierrcd
strike. lie has had il. 4 great breach has
been opened between employers and employees
heavy loss Of wages has come. In small plants,
in isolated mills and in some works in large
cities with contracts, which the agreement broken
by ordering the strike should have protected
the men have won. They have gained either an
increase in wages or the new aud shorter day
In Boston the strike has wholly failed Il has
in Cincinnati, in spite OF Mr.. O'Connell's
strategic reasons" for going back to work. A
like failure exists in Cleveland In Indianapolis
a compromise was reached after eight weeks, on
basis offered at the start to the men. In San
Francisco bitter struggle is in progress In
Wilmington the strike has failed 1t did in
Camden and at Sparrows Point The struggle
continues in the railroad shops on lines tribua.
tary 10 this city. In the city itself the men sue.
ceeded at many points and failed at Others. in
other words, part have gained all and part lost
all by strike, while all could have gained some.
thing by negotiation and adherence TO a con.
tract. Whatever the partial success may be, even
II it includes as President O'Conncll claims, half
the men who went out, il is plain that on the
average negotiation would have been better.
Above all, what the unions need is reputation
for prudence, discretion, care in keeping en-.
gagemcnts and a readiness TO exhaust negotiation
before resorting to a strike. The michini,ts'
strike has not created such a reputation. Rather
it has destroyed such the International Associ.
alton Of Machnsts had