Evening star., 1902-08-23
ANTITRUST CAMPAIGN
Effect of the Anthracite Coal
Strike.
A COLD PROPOSITION
CAPITAL MAY ORGANIZE, BUT
LABOR CANNOT.
Politicians Studying the Situation and
Its Relation to the Future of
the Two Parties.

the Two Parties.
Special From Staff Correspondent.
NEW YORK. August 2}.-The presidents
of the anthracite coal railways are max
ing more capital in day for the antitrust
campaign than all the orators could make
In month. They are presenting to the
public a straight-out proposition-cOnsid-
cred in its last analysis-as follows:
I'VE are capital and we shall organize as
please. You are labor and you shall
not organize. because when you do, you
want voice in the running of our bust
ness"
II is probable that this present coal strike
will do more toward bringing to head the
fight against the trusts than any other ele-
ment in existing industrial conditions.
Thoughtful men in both parties have seen
this struggle coming. They have been pre-
pairing for it. according to the exigencies
of their respective political situations.
Probably no one thought it would be
brought to a crisis promptly and SO
brutality as has been done by the arthTa-
cite railway presidents. They have laid
aside all discrimination. all Precipitation, all
arbitration The Geld proposition is pre-
sented that labor in the coal mines shall
not be organized: that it is not labor's busi-
ness what organization exists among its
employers.
Labor May Be Worsted at First.
In the first round it is probable that labor
will be worsted. Well-pOsted people look
to see the mines starting up in few weeks,
by one. the men returning to work to
head off starvation, and abandoning their
union. There will probably be a few riots
some lives will be lost. the state will be
put to the expense of sending out the
militia. But in the end the mines will start
and the union probably will be sacrificed.
All this, of course. assuming that the rail-
way presidents will stand firm as now they
declare they will.
But will the game end there? Do not
believe it for a moment. These mine labor
6rs are aroused They have had the taste
of blood in two encounters with organized
capital They know that there is power
in organization when adroitly welded.
The aftermath of this ccal strike Will
enter into politics. The last resort of labor
is the ballot and il has not yet come 10 pass
in this country that the laborer is denied
a hearing in this court of last resort. All
over the nation. interest will be aroused in
the struggle between organized capital and
the right of labor to organize.
Which party will profit by it? When
there is discomfort, trouble, panic, hard
times the democrats usually reap the USu-
fruct Why that should be so. have never
heard explained but 1 believe it is we'll
understood TO be political truism, just as
good times and prosperity make for repub-
lican success.
The Republican Position.
ha f.l IN
take advantage of the present situation?
The republican party has set its face
against unlawful combination. President
Roosevelt has declared his intention flight
ing the trusts to a finish. The Department
of Justice already has commenced action
against trusts under a law that was passed
by republican Congress.
The question arises. where Will OppOrtu-
ni;v be offered for the democrats - profit ?
They can only get the iEo@=e gE Il presenta-
t;ves, at best. and with that they canno.
hope to put into effect the radical policies
they propose. which are 50 directly in Cp-
position 20 the fundamental republican pol
icy Of protection - American industries.
The fact is. that the situation which now
exists is decidedly critical for the repUb-
s;Can pdT;y- They can make or mar their
political prospects in the next few months.
They III power. they have made prom
ises. the country is aroused and if they
DO not make good what can the people eX-
pect?
This coal strike undoubtedly will bring
the trust fight home 10 the politicians.
Whatever may be claimed about it the pub
lie Will soon be alive to the fact that here
is an issue between a combination of capi-
tai and industry against combination
of labor Political promises VIII have 10 be
redeemed.
The decision of the railway presidents not
TO arbljrate the question, because arbitra-
ton means recognition of the union, makes
that point absolutely clear. The issue is
clearly defined and unHnistakable.
Regret in Financial Quarters.
Regret is expressed in some financial
quarters that the issue has thus been made
by the railways. The fear is voiced that it
Will result in a general onslaught against
industrial combinations which may seri-
cusIy affect business
Some of the republican politicians are
studying the situation very carefully. They
are watching for opportunities to take ad-
vantage Of the popular unrest and to ride
the crest OF rising public opinion.
If The agitation continues. which has been
aroused by the attitude Of the railway
presidents there Will be a lively scramble
between the two parties FOR positions of
vantage There is not the shadow of a
doubt that the people, feeling the pinch of
the coal trust, Will begin 10 ask about
things and wonder how relief can be OBJ
tanned In such cases they turn first TO
pohtlcs- Every one remembers how the
good wives of the nation took revenge on
a great political party because the price
of tn cans was advanced in the midst of
the frUit-canning season, due to a tariff hin
passed by republican Congress.
IL is hardly probable that the republicans
viii be caught in this pinch They are not
responsible through their policies for the
cCal strike. II the tariff should be taken
off coal tomorrow 1t would not settle the
strike nor reduce the price of anthra etc
The republican game probably will be tC
take the side OF the laborer Gecryine
trusts y. o. VI.
Maine Starts on Trial Trip.