New-York tribune., 1901-08-04
THE FUTURE or THE STRIKE.

1t is difficult TO see what the steel strikers
expect 10 gain by prolonged struggle unless
they are prepared at an early day 10 resort to
force: They have exhausted whatever power
they possessed of making the strike
political issue which would force party man
ayers to come TO their support. and low quota
tions for steel stocks seem not TO worry the
manufacturers at all. Unless they make terms
they nave nothing TO do but see the mills start
up with other labor AT the convenience of the
owners or lawlessly prevent others from work
ing Already there have been few trifing
manifestations of disorder and ii is evident that
the temper Of the idle men is reaching critical
point calling for the attention of Mr.. Shaffer
and his associates in the management or the
Amalgamated Association.
Mr. Shaffer has announced that this was not
an ordinary strike and that il was not going TO
be disgraced by boycotting. picketing and riots.
So far he mas kept his word reasonably well.
but ii is doubtful # he will be able much longer
10 control the force he has let loose in pass
ing by the chance for settlement. He must
see that fight to the finish" means violence.
His men have been for the most part orderly
in the hope OF the settlement he promised and
in expectation that the manufacturers would
find II 10 their own interest 10 surrender Now,
when they know the last inch of concession
that can be obtained by peaceful methods, they
must either accept those concessions or adopt
other than peaceful methods. The serious ques-
ton for the officers of the Amalgamated Asso-
citation is whether not they are prepared TO
carry their strike to the violent stage. They
need he under no illusion about the meaning OF
their decision. Strikes are broken in one of
two ways. The old men go back TO work or
new men take their places and it is not 10 be
n1 hat no ol6 self
contained they may have been in the face of a
few ''scabs" while expecting settlement in the
end on their terms, will see their places perma-
nently taken and the mills running regularly
without them and sit idle and in order at the
request of a strike leader with no more diplo-
matte strings 10 pull in their behalf.
Mr.. Shaffer has repeatedly declared that the
association was not seeking. charged by the
manufacturers. 10 force nOn-unon men to join
il. All II wanted was freedom for all and
chance 10 organize those men in the present
non-uniOn mills who of their own free will
desired membership in the association. He has
clearly demonstrated that he already possesses
this power by Withdrawing many association
men from nOn-uniOn mills 10 shut several OF
them down. If he can do that the formal sign
ing OF the union scale for those mills is not
important unless the official position OF the
union, intermediary between the employer and
worker, operates TO force all of the latter into
the union as the only way 10 have a voice in
the conditions of their own labor. Mr. Shaffer
will never arouse any public sympathy In behalf
of 4 prolonged strike merely TO put the assoca-
tlOn in that position of power. 1t becomes not a
strike for workingmens right. but for the impo-
sition on workingmen of an organized machine
whether or not they desire its domination of
their affairs. If such strike results in disorder
it becomes an outbreak not in behalf of liberty
but OF tyranny, and wise labor leaders will
think carefully and solemnly before they per-
sist in a struggle which promises such out
come.