New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-05-16

Because a number Of men chose TO work for
such wages as a transportation company was
willing 10 pay. rotOus mob took possession OF
some of the streets of Albany on Tuesday, pre-
vented a resumption of the trolley service,
wrecked cars tore down wires and committed
many other acts of violence. including fatal
assault on a coura geous mOtOrman. To go
little further back. these things apparently re-
suited from the company's refusal 10 discharge
several nOn-union men with whose work il was
satisfied. and who In turn were satisfied with
its treatment OF them. As we said yesterday.
the United Traction Company, whose lines cover
Albany. Troy and the vicinity. has not uni
formly enjoyed or deserved the goodwill OF the
public. but there seems 10 be sufficient warrant
for saying that in this present controversy its
conduct has been not merely reasonable. but
conciliatory. Ii has proposed to its employees
an equitable method of settling by conference
and mutual agreement all the points AT issue,
excepting only the retention of the few non
union men already in its service. In declining
10 dismiss these men il has not Disseminated
against the union, or shown any wish 10 do so.
On the contrary. il would seem TO have dis
eliminated in a practical manner though not
in a legal sense in favor of the union. In
short the company desired TO keep its old force
under whatever agreement concerning hours
and wages a friendly negotiation might lead 10.
Such. at least. is the cOmpanys statement of the
case and so far we are aware il has not
been contradicted by the strikers. If it CON
tains any substantial errors they should. and
presumably would have been pointed out be
fore now.
But suppose il could be proved that the
strikers had good reason 10 complain of their
o,,I ha com
pany's good faith in its present offers and
were consequently entitled to public sympathy
so long as they conducted themselves in an
orderly manner. Suppose, furthermore. their
assertion that they have neither committed nor
encouraged acts of violence could be implicitly
trusted The fact would still remain that the
calling out of the troops a wise and neces-
sary STEP which ought 10 have their full ap-
prevail as il has the full approval of the gen
eral public. A year ago. with the consent of
Governor who was afraid TO do his duty. 81.
Louis was put 10 shame and heavy loss by
mob There is no liberation for that sort OF
thing in the State of NewYOrk The Albany
police being powcrless 10 preserve the peace,
the Sheriff properly exercised his authority 10
require the services Of the National Guard sta
toned within the county. In the belief that
even that force would be insufficient to control
the situation, Governor Odell was asked TO
sanction the sending Of other regiments 10 the
scene of trouble. The Governor. with charac-
teristic promptness. gave the necessary order,
and yesterday at nightfall the capital was ade-
qua:ely protected by resolute soldiers. In these
proceedings there was no undue haste or lack
OF consideration for the rights of any citizen.
They We're exactly adapted 10 the accomplish
ment of an Indispensable object.
Yet we fear that too many Of the strikers
will resent the dispatch of troops to Albany,
and, proclaim that the authorities have taken
sides against them. There is not a shadow of
excuse for any such complaint. The troops
are in Albany 10 preserve the peace and defend
the rights of ALL and for no other purpose. If
in consequence of their presence a sufficient
number Of men TO operate the streetcars can
be gradually secured ar wages satisfactory TO
themselves. the United Traction COmpany's
service will be restored with more or less diff
Guilty and delay. But in that ease il will be
restored simply because order has been re-
stored and is maintained. If a law abiding and
We'll disposed majority of strikers are again
destined 10 become the victims of a violent mi
nority supported by the criminal element,
are sorry for them. But after Tuesdays out
break there was just one thing 10 do. and il
was well done.