The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1901-06-14
FRIDAY. JUNE IA, 1901.
LET REASON PREVAIL.

Somebody in charge of the Harlan "
Hcllingsworih Company's works. Is i"S
ing his head. He is evidently afraid OF
-ohlins of his own crcaticn-is in that
condition described as hes got 'eni
That frantic appeal for police protre-
ton when there was no need for H.
ami by which our police author ti"s were
led into II grave misus G of police author
ity, followed by IA proposition. from the
same source, for protection by deputy
shcrifiS. while there is still no danger I"
he anticipated, is evidence that Somebody
in authority down there, Is losing ms
grip Of things
There is no danger of any unlawfuI
interference with the men employed by
the ii. 4 H. Company. nor is there any
danger Of the destruction of the com
pany's property by the striking macnih'
lists. We assert that, and repeat 1t CON
tidcntly. To assume otherwise, or to say
to the contrary is to Imagine and utter
nal cioliS libel on these mcn They are
not rioters. They ara MT barn burners.
They contemplate no harm TO any ont
The whole course of the strike Is proof
Of the truth ana strength Of the position
we aSSnur.
1t follows that il any one Of the olli-
cials Of The IL. x H. Company mas ir'-
son to fear fer the safety Of their en-
ploycs. or for the safety If the company's
property, the danger arises from sonr
other source. II is unfair and unjust to
charge it upon the striking machinists.
1t is not Just TO assume that the apprc-
hendrd danger is one for which the pull
lie is responsible That, however, M
pears to he the idea conveyed ii IL
thought Of putting the works III c.aig'
Of deputy sheriiTs. Danger of the Kind
II. Conlpnny'S works is such rs the com
pany can readily provide for in the en-
ploymcnt Of private watchmcn-danrrr
that il il is realized and occasions loss
should D" borne by the company.
We do not wish to hc understood rs
holding 10 the view that the public--th,
people of this city--is not interested il
the safety and success Of the Ill. N III
Company'S property and business. 1t is
intensely Interested in that. 1t is thi'
gust AMI reasonable interest that cadsc'
regret over the evident loss Of reason aul
sonnhlc fears should dictate the com
pany'S policy mt this critical irnctur, q
its history II we may be allowed +
suggest II, we think this is 40 time ro
conjulng NJ imaginary evils. II il ii
tim" for threats. No time for costly +,
prisals. Indeed, the threats OF sue
things bcrr on their face tie stamp i
impoSsihility. 1t was reported ytstcrda
that the works would lie shut down il
definitely rather than accrdr to the 4,
mindS- lot nS pnt il more mildly M
say Requests Of tine men: and in exc rs
for tiS il was said the company cannc
afford I" pay the wages now paid for
hours. for . hours work What DOES III
proposed alternative involve! Total 10,
On all contracts now iii hand Can Ill
company afford that? I;ut what will
cost 70 acccde to the demands Of thr>
striking machiniSts? In making Il "a
culation Of this Kind Ne must. Of courq
be guided alone by general facts and .
Inmates. We assume that tho avera.
wages paid 10 these machiniSis was ahu,
SIS q week There arc probably $50 me
striking. This number would make
machinist wage list weekly Of $1.7l
Tie change from 10 hours to . ho,.,
would involve an increase cost, to IL
company, equal to 10 prr cent: nr. II
thes" niachiniSts. Il total increase
$115 u week. Are We to believe that i'll
company for the avoidance Of this sna
increase IN wages il could not Do create
will shut its works Down permanent,
Are We to b. asked to consider this ii
decision Of reason, in . natter inyol'ii
interests Of such magnitude:
70 an ordinary comprehension or hin:
the course SAID % have been decided mW
is hot reasonable II IL III more ~
sonai!s' thiln th" calling rrl police prot,
ton when il was not needed: or the Iii
cusSion Of III" deputy sheriff uncstt
with u view IF yalliias The cast
watching the wo.i,,. and the CO.'S; If IN
loss that might oc,.n during ihr sh :
custody Of the works. upon the county.
The strikers are making "nly rrasn
able demands r they arc met Win re-
sorlnllr lirrnlity tho strike. ANA al u
real and imaginary trouble incident to
will bc quickly over.