The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-12-20
THE STREET CAR
STRIKERS CAUSE

Pleaded Before Mass Meeting in
Academy of Music-John H. De-
vine OF the Central Labor Union
Scores Silliman and Asserts That
Citizens Alliance of Scranton
Aims at Workmen Striking for
Their Rights-Talk by Treasurer
of Amalgamated Street Car Men.
The cause OF the striking employees
pleaded last night before Il gathering
Of about 200 men in the Academy of
Music. This was the first public meet
ing in Carbondale under the auspices
Of the trolley strikers. The speakers
were John H. Devine OF the clerks as
sociation of Scranton. and foremost
among the active members of the Cen
trail Labor union of that city ana Reis-
en Orr of Detroit, treasurer of the
.\malgamated association Of street car
employees. The latter supplied the
place OF w. ID. Mahon, president Of the
association who is sick in bed at Scran-
ton.
az, took the stand that the labor unions
stood for all that was good in Ameri
can liberty and that they We're not wlr-
ing on corporations. Their wish and their
purpose We're to work hand III hand.
have a perfect understanding with cap
ital. to bring about Il recognition of
the rights of employers or employees
and with this recognition gained TO
realize what is best in American citi-
Henship. Incidentally. Mr.. Devine took
up the cause of the street car men and
the attitude of the Scranton Railway
company and the disposition Of the
people of Scranton. He took notice of
the Citizens Alliance of Scranton
which he asserted was organized to
stop labor unions from striking for
their rights.
Touching on the attitude of the peo-
ole of Scranton and Carbondale. h"
declared that the fact that they re-
Trained from riding as they have was
an indication that the street car mems
cause was not without right.
Mr.. Devine pointed TO the results of
the Civic Federation meeting in New
York city a few days ago which de-
clared for recognition of rights of
employees by employers. This is, he
said. was what the trades unions aimed
at. They We're not warning on capital
but they wanted capital. which was
acknowledged by capitalists at this
great meeting to have been arbitrary in
the past. to recognize that labor had
some rights. This recognition which is
being clamored for. is the keynote to
the solution OF. the differences that es-
TRANCE these two parties. II men lik"
these declared that capital has been ar
bitrary if they have declared that for
Il recognition of the rights of labor,
where, he asked. is the Scranton COM
pany going to stand in its organization.
The Railway Company's Stand.
1t is We'll known. he continued,
all over America what the street
car men Of Scranton have done to set
tie this strike They tried arbitration,
Cohciliation, every means, but the
Scranton Railway company refused to
meet any committees; it rejected every
means of settlement; in short 1t refused
to do anything that would mete out
justice to the men.
The Central Labor union of Scranton
had come out in favor of the strikers,
but If it did not know their cause was
Il Just one it would not for n moment
take the stand in which it did,
Not Organized for War.
The trades unions know that strikes
to say the least are unprofitable, bun Il
strike is to the labor unions What wal
IL to the nation. The labor unions are
not organized for war; they do ,lol
stand for strife; they are for peace
for perpetual peace. 1t is often pru-
dent for the most conservative coun-
tryto go to war; that peace may he
achieved. At the time of the Civil
war, our country, through sheer force
OF circumstances. went to war that il
might perpetuate the principles ioi
which it stood. 1t was practically this
that caused the spanish-AmericaT
war, So the labor organizations, un'
der stress of circumstances, engage IN
that war that is known as strike.
Tile trade unionist has no apology
to make for his connection With hi'
union. He Is determined to marci
along the line of civilization, peace
bly,, if possible, but he must do IL. Th'
trades unions are not organized 1,
fight corporations, but to respac
them. The trades unionist, If he is in
telligent, is willing to march hand il
hand with the corporation, In thi!
way only will our country hold th'
place which ii has among nations
There is no surer way TO perpetuat'
the success Of the corporation and thu
workingman than TO march steadily
along, amicably settling the dispute!
that may arise,