The Washington times., 1901-08-03
Circulation Statement.
The Steel strike situation.

The Steel strike situation.
The time cannot be far off now when
the Steel Trust will challenge the strik-
ers formerly in their employ to do
their worst. by reopening the idle mills
with non-union labor. Unless some
thing should happen first to cause an
abandonment of the strike, the occa-
sion of resumption by the corporations
probably will be marked with violence,
and, as likely as not, more than a lit
tie bloodshed.
1t is the duty of every American to
use his influence, If he have any, in the
direction of averting this danger of
disorder and riot Before the clash
and while blood is not yet at the boil
ing point, there might be time for peo-
pie in the confidence of the labor lead
ers and not individually concerned in
the present quarrel TO show them, ere
it is too late, the hopelessness of their
position, and the certainty that their
present movement can have no other
result than that Of further demoraliz-
ing the business interests of the coun-
try and of spreading distress and want
upon the wages of their bread winners
for the necessities of life.
Mr. Shaffer and his associates by this
time must recognize the truth that la
Dor interest in the strike is but half
hearted, and that, as far as the public
is concerned, it has never regarded the
tie-up as justifiable in the circum-
stances. We have yet to hear of any
unprejudiced opinion which did not hold
that the Amalgamated Association was
blamable for forcing such an industrial
condition on the country in the absence
of an adequate grievance. Popu-
lar sentiment is not with the
strikers, while it is not particularly
friendly to the trust. But the latter
fact neither destroys nor changes the
logic of the situation. 1t is as plain
now as it can be weeks hence, that if
the trust can find the necessary nom
union labor II can run the plants. This
would mean a great deal to the strik-
ers and their families. Among other
things, 1t would mean that when the
old workers should get tired of remain
ing idle and endeavor to return to their
former employment, they would find
their places filed by men whom the
trust certainly would refuse to dis
charge to make room for them If the
strike leaders hug the delusion that
they are able by violent means to pre-
vent the trust plants from running,
they are wofully mistaken. The civil
and military power of the States and
the authority Of local and Federal
courts will be tnvoked, and the import
ed laborers will be protected.
Judging from known facts and indi-
cations. it is impossible to see any rea-
sonable ground upon which the strik-
ers can hope to win. On the contrary,
the prospect appears to be that, after
two or three weeks of idleness and an
empty harder In the cabin, the men will
give up and take what they can get,
while many, perhaps, will be compelled !
TO move away from their old homes to
seek work elsewhere.
We understand that President Shat |
fer was quite alive TO the eventualities |
we have mentioned when he accepted |
the Morgan terms last Saturday. No |
doubt he argued that unfavorable /
though they were compared with what !
his people expected to gain, they would .
Still leave it possible to go on with or
ganization work for the Amalgamated |
Association and save that body from |
the extinction 10 which it might be liza
BILE should its members be at length
to surrender at discretion and
submit to whatever conditions the
trust might dictate. Shaffer's advice
has been rejected and himself assaiied
and discredited. II would not much as
tonish US If, before long. We should
hear that the strikers were satisfied
that he had been right in embracing
the Morgan offer Of peace, and they
wrong in splrning il