The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1901-05-22

alarming to the communities throughout
the land where these strikes have oc-
Cured The speedy settlement of the
strike which now appears probable, will
preclude any occurrence likely to mar the
present happy condition.
That there is lesson worth learning !
in this strike incident in the history of |
our industrial progress is evident. 1t ap- |
parently makes n new era in labor move !
mcnts. We are not sufficiently posted |
in the current history of these things to
SAY that this is the first strike which has +,
been engineered by the officers of the
Federation of Labor. That is, as we I'M
derstaud it, the first trade strike behind
which the whole mass Of organized labor
has stood for its sustenance. In that the
result achieved is Il fruit of thorough or
ganZation-a fruit indicating perfect
organizations: an organization not Of one
trade or class Of workingmen. but one in
which all trade organizations unite.
With all trades organized. and all FEEDER
| itted in one grand organization there is
an evident concentration of power which
to human apprehension appears irwin
! chile. The experience Of the machinists
/ bears out this idea.
I The policy which this strike appears
! to inaugurate, also appears to be mats
| terly. Assuming the possibility of or
ganzng all classes Of tradesmen and
lahorcrs. and the federation Of these or
CARNATIONS the way.to success in gen
cral control Of such matter as hours Of
labor ana wages appears open and easy.
Let MS imagine that Of the 76000,000 pop
ulaton Of this country it is possible TO or
ganizc federation of labor that will
include. to he moderate say 10,000,000
workers With such body. supporting
Il strike of any one trade success would
10 assured The news from labor head
quarters in Washington is that $4,000
machinists went ont on strike on Mon
day morning. II is evident that 10000
cent day each for the support of Il
strike of 10000 men would put behind the
strikers 4 source of suStcnancc that
would hc inyincihlc. That is the policy
Indicated by the selection of the ma
rhinst trade to make the present de-
monstration in favor Of the shorter hour
Clay-thc selection If the trades in turn
and the winning Of the demanded con
crSsion for each in its turn. This is tn,
policy that has been evolved out Of In
hor agitationS and organizations in thi.
country. The reaching Of the plac,
where its practical application has berl
successful. as in the present strike i
what appears to us to mark Il new err
in the history Of labor reform.
This is tile American method and pol
ley The country itself is the grandcs
cxcmplar Of il. The political system
!, evolved iii the confederation Of tn
American colonies. and perfected i'll til
j, making and adoption Of the conStitntio
IL lie Unitcd Statcs-thr forming Of "
/ Union IT States under Il central gOrcli
7. mcnt charged With the defense Of I'll
y whole body, may reasonably be regaldc
aS the Genesis Of the movement for IN
:, organization of labor for the promotio
h, of labor reform. Indeed, it is not Il yer
I, difficult stretch Of imagination to reEni
-, the governmental organization us Il Il
iii h0r organization; the sovereign citizc
ship If The country being of necessity,
n. intending all men. constituted Of Il
80 wollNMg people. The study Of the II
nj tons history proceeding from this has
IN will sustain and Justify organized lab
In. against its opponents. In the COVER
rn mental evolution the very things viii
It'll have iccn most feared, most violent
A., denounced aud opposed have been I
NIL saving clements Of its progress 50
ii the evolution Of the labor orgnnizato
tho uf tho day the apparently danger,
III things persisted i'll having brought ali,
raj the present admirable and promising g,
,nd tIitous III tho lahor world tile pow
Re- progress ana safety of the industl
Tie classes il in organization, ani orgnni
luly ton thai has the purpose AMI power
Adj revolution.