The Washington times., 1901-07-17
Circulation Statement
The Labor Troubles.


industrial strikes the country is being
treated to a painful midsummer lesson
which should serve to teach us that
even when all material conditions ap-
pear favorable and promotive of peace
and prosperity the demons of discord
and panic may be hiding around the
corner waiting to jump out and gobble
us up.
The seriousness of the labor war sit
uation, or rather of its probable effects
upon financial and business interests,
was greatly increased yesterday by the
strike of the stationary engineers
throughout Pennsylvania.
The Immediate result of that move
ment is to close down all the important
coal mines in the State. A few small
concerns have escaped by granting the
demands of the men for reduction of
working time to eight hours day with
out reduction of pay. but, practically
speaking, both the anthracite and BIZ
luminous districts of Pennsylvania are
out of commission. Here and there su-
perintendents and foremen were trying
to keep UP steam, but it is not likely
sort of thing. and the tie-up apparently
is all but complete.
1t is possible that the differences be-
tween the coal combinations and their
engineers may be settled more easily
than those which have caused the steel
strike. Although it is agreed on behalf
of the coal trusts that the demand for
their products is light at this season of
the year, and hence, that they can af-
ford to be Indifferent to a suspension of
mining for some weeks. it is known that
they would be subjected to great loss
were the mines TO go uppumped for
even month. as the accumulation of
water in that time would entail much
trouble and expense on the resumption
of operations.
In other circumstances the places Of
the comparatively few men who handle
the mine engines easily could be filed,
but it is announced that the United
Mine Workers organization will refuse
to dig coal where non-union engineers
are employed.
This is not what the Morgan Coal
Trust bargained for when 1t conceded
the demands of the miners last year,
and the latter undertook to work until
next spring under a scale of wages sat
isfactory to them. To the objection
that they are violating faith in casting
their lot with the stationary engineers,
their answer is that the engineers are
beyond their control, as they belong to
and obey the orders of union in no
way connected with that of which the
mine workers are members. The expla-
nation does not adequately dispose of
the question of bad faith. The miners,
of course. do not dictate the policy or
conduct of the engineers. but, granting
that. their answer to criticism due to
their bolting the agreement of last au
tumn is the reverse of satisfactory a
desire to live UP to their agreements.
one would think, would impel them to
observe strict neutrality between own
ers and engineers, and to let who might
run the engines and boilers Far from
acting in that way, the miners are max
ing the fight of the engine men their
own Perhaps ii is a delicate matter to
decide whether they are or are not JUS
titled in taking that course, in view of
the engagements they entered into
when the strike Of 1900 was settled.
In any event two of our greatest in
dustrial interests have been paralyzed
and held up. train of consequences
may follow which it would be very un-
comfortable TO contemplate. The bust
ness of the whole country is jeopardized
by the steel and coal strikes. and if
there be any way to end them no time
should be lost in finding and utiliz-
ing it.