Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-12-15


Especial Correspondence
The progress that has been made by
union labor in the United States with
In the past generation Is something
wonderful. In spite of the enormously
powerful political and economic forces
that have been arrayed against 1t, In
spite of the divisions and quarrels in It's
own ranks that have seemed fatal to
It's stability, in spite of capitalistic con-
spiracies, combinations, black lists, in
functions and many other powers that
have been designed to crush it, the la
Dor movement today is stronger than at
any previous time In its history, and
the course that events have taken in
the coal strike promises to place union
labor In position of commanding in
fiuence in the economic affairs of the
country henceforth.
Let the student of the labor move
ment compare the coal strike with that
other great battle that has often been
called the first great strike Of modern
times on American soil, that Of 1877,
and he cannot fail to be struck by the
remarkable difference in the two events
both as regards their inherent charac-
teristics and the attitude Of the public
toward them. This difference is so
marked that 1t is safe to say that the
coal strike marks an epoch in the labor
movement, or, rather, it emphasizes the
elimination of a series of events that
have changed the whole character of
~ H.
tion.
As compared with the coal strike
that of 1877 lacked conference. 1t was
spontaneous uprising rather than
strike. 1t was not a well organized ef-
fort to permanently better the condi-
ton Of the workers. 1t was mad, uD-
reasoning protest against injustice.
The strikers seemed to be animated by
no fixed plan, nor did they readily yield
obedience to any common authority.
There was no unity In the movement,
no well recognized directing power
and no disciplined and concerted eff
fort for the attainment of common
end. 1t had no resemblance to a well
organized movement. The great body
of strikers resembled mob rather
than disciplined army, and the only
common impulse seemed to be the
wreaking of vengeance on the employ
ers of labor and the accomplishment
of as much pecuniary damage and de-
struction Of property as possible.
Again, except by those who were in
some way involved, the strike was not
viewed with any excess of interest by
the workers of the country. Most
wageworkers perhaps hoped that the
strikers would win and sympathized
with the movement to that extent, but
there were very few indeed who were
willing to make any personal sacrifice
to aid the strikers, and it is quite GER
tain that the great body of workers
would not have thought of such a
thing as submitting to regular tax
for their support. President Mitchell
testified before the arbitration commits
sion that S1,500,000 had been distrib-
uted among the strikers. The greater
portion Of this vast sum came from the
pockets Of union workingmen. 1t is ex-
tremely doubtful that such a result
could have been obtained in 1877, as
that strike was regarded mainly as a
private matter between the employers
of labor and the individual strikers
Immediately concerned. Outside Of
this there were comparatively few Of
the workers who felt that they were
personally interested. In short, the Ia
Dor movement at that time lacked the
feeling Of solidarity that is now every
where apparent. The sentiment that
ian injury to one is the concern Of
all' had not taken root to any appre-
ciable extent. The sympathetic
strike" was then an impossibility.
The general public also looked upon
the strike Of 1877 as thing apart 1t
was private quarrel between the rail-
roads and their employees, and the
public did not feel called upon to inter-
fere until after the precipitation of
mob violence and destruction Of life
and property had taken place. and even
then the public interest did not go be-
yond the superficial illegalities the au-
thorities were called upon to suppress.
The merits Of the controversy or first
cause of the unla wful proceedings that
were so loudly condemned evoked no
discussion of consequence and made nc
apparent impress on the public mind.
Society was content to act its tradition
al individualistic role Of policeman for
the simple and only purpose Of pre-
serving order between the combatants
By comparison with the earlier event
1t is simply miracle that SO large a
body of workers rs have been engaged
in the coal strike have maintained
their position for several months past
practically without bloodshed and vic
lence Such thing would have beer
absolutely impossible twenty-five years
ago.
That the strikers have been kept
within bounds In spite Of the many ex
asperating conditions confronting then
is largely due to the splendid orgsniza
ton that now characterizes the labor
movement in general and the efficient
. leadership the miners organization Il