New-York tribune., 1901-09-12
4 REMINDER.

The attention of the president OF the ANAL
gamated Association should be directed to Nc
Keesport Penn. There a large mob or per-
sons who are idle in obedience TO his orders
have been creating such disturbance as TO pre-
vent thousand men anxious TO exercise the
liberty of working, guaranteed them by iaw
from going to the mills Of their employers and
engaging in their peaceful avocations. Some
free workers were beaten by the strikers. ana
one man is said to have been seriously injured
He should also take note of what has Deen
going on at Pittsburg, where some non-unlon
workers were set upon by crowd OF his partl-
sans. and where quantity Of bedding and food
belonging TO the employers and intended Tor the
use of non-unon men was burned
All this looks like the familiar sign of a labor
riot For ii Mr.. Shaffer is responsible. He can
stop the strike at any time he wishes. When
he began it he was full of brave pretences that
this was not strike in the ordinary sense. but
was only called strike for want of a better
term and that there would be more of the
old fashioned picketing and violence, no more
driving free workers out of town. no more boy
cottipg All was to he peaceful; the workers
were merely TO take needed vacation while adj
yantageous terms were being made for them.
In those July days Mr.. Shaffer was stern in his
warnings against violence and solemn IN his
urging the men TO keep sober Then they were
fairly ready TO do so. A few cases OF disorder
occurred. but for the most part the men were
hopeful that their leaders by pressure on the
stock market politicians, would accom-
plish their purpose, and so were willing to
behave In the last few weeks. however, in
ereasing tendencies TO disorder have been seen,
particularly in McKeesport, where the laWless
elements apparently have the support of the
city authorities. Mr.. Shafer. however, has not
been observed repeating his injunctions OF peace
Apparently meeting failure in his plans for
boodless victory, he is willing to sit by and see
his strike degenerate into riotous attack on
those steel workers who decline to join it. If
he is not. now is the time for him TO prove the
sincerity and earnestness of his devotion TO
peace and law. He doubtless thought he meant
what be said against violence at the time when
he hoped TO win without ii. and when, indeed
his plans seemed likely to be spoiled by it. But
did he mean what he said earnestly enough to
say IT again and use all his power to secure
obedience now in the time when disorder is his
chief remaining weaponf
Mr. Shaffer ought to realize that he is tread
ing on dangerous ground. The American peo-
ple have not in years been less disposed than
now 10 tolerate anarchy in any form. Many of
the preachers of class hatred and meters TO dis
order have suddenly taken warning, and no
more is heard about the trusts controlling the
government and about the duty of oppressed
labor" TO fight greedy capital" He should
take the hint and follow their example. An
awakening has come. The sacredness of law is
being realized anew. and the agitator who en-
courages riots in the name of labor, the leader
who urges lynching In the name OF justice. and
the avowed anarchist who breaches murder In
the name of human freedom. will be alike
crushed under the heel of nation determined
to live up to the old American tradition OF lib
| erty regulated by law.