Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1902-06-06
The Arrogance Of the Trust.

The Arrogance Of the Trust.
Some months ago, Immediately af-
ter the failure OF the great steel strike,
II wa thought that capital and labor
had at last recognized the suicidal ma
ture Of lockouts and strikes, and chas-
tened 10y experience, had devised q
peaceful and sensible means OF settle
mcnt Of all such differences. While
labor had lost, in casting the final die,
1t was fondly thought that capital
had at last come to the realization
that it would be the part OF economy
to meet the laborer in a suggestion for
arbitration on lines go broad as to
challenge ADMIRATION, by appointment
OF commission Of men so prominent, so
iair-mindcd, and 50 intcrestedlv disin-
tercsted, that their verdict could be
accepted by either party without sac
rliicc OF dignity or placing any fair
proposition in jeopardy. twas agreed,
with apparent sincerity, that body OF
arbitrators might be chosen OF the big
minds Of the land, whose decision
would be received by those who lost
the matter OF contention as readily as
those who were successful. 1t was
upon these lines that a commission
was named which seemed to receive an
universal acclaim of confidence and
respect, not alone OF the leaders OF con.
tentlon but the people OF the whole
country. 1t was to be known as the
Civic Federation, which would con.
slider and determine all matters of diff.
ference between labor and capital
that it would he composed of twelve
employing capitalists and twelve
prominent labor leaders. The selec.
ton was SO judiciously made, of repre-.
sentative men of all interests to be
considered, that it was thought the &C.
ton would meet with the recognition
when difficulty rose that its prompt
and apparently hearty acceptance pre-.
saged. The Federation was composed
OF the following representative men:
Grover Cleveland. President Eliot
Cornelius N Bliss: of Harvard,
Archbishop Ireland, John g. Miiburn,
Bishop Potter, Charles j. Bouaparte
FRANKLIN McNeish, Ralph NJ. Easley. Sec'y.
But alas, for human stability! The
coal operators refuse to abide by their
agreement, and have declared that
they will not consent to have the
strike settled by the Civic Federation,
and will only agree to meet the miners
themselves. "The situation" said
one OF these" is exactly as it was at
the beginning of the strike, and I re.
peat that under no circumstances will
there be any concessions"
The action of the trust shows that
they place very little sincerity or honor
in any compact they make with the
working man; that they doubt the
strength OF their own position, and
ruthlessly sweep away, as a rope OF
sand, the promises by which it was
supposed they had submitted mutual
interests for arbitration.
1t seems that wealth developes an ar.
rogance which will not make the least
concession to the poor man, however
just may be his claim or necessary for
support of those dependent upon him
in self-respecting manner.
It seems that the last vestige oil
hope is gone 80 far as a peaceful settle.
ment can be made, and that the war.
fare SO disastrous to both interests
will have to 60, with probably still
more disastrous results as the convic.
ton is forced upon unwilling minds
that there is no fair basis of agreement,
which capital will accept.