The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-05-29

gins, ms are the wages of the workers,
they would never encourage strikes. But
the salary of the nen who make the
trouble among these and lead others into
II. goes on, while that OF their dupes
whom they mislead, suddenly and wholly
| stops.
In the miners strike a year and more
| ago In this valley. | was told by miners
that nine out of ten of them did not de-
| sire the strike but were opposed to It,.
why, then. asked, did they strike? And
the answer that they gave was that they
did not dare to refuse to strike. And why
| not? Because. they said. they feared
personal violence for themselves and their
families. wordy abuse and physical as
| sault. and the destruction of their prop
erty. Similar statements were made by
the machinists ut the time of the machin-
lists strike and also by the carpenters
anu the carmen when they were forced
out. They told their employers that they
did not wish to strike and were opposed
to III but did not dare to stand out against
an abusive minority. 1t seems tn me that
II they could have a fair chance TO ex-
press themselves in a secret ballot with
out being bullied. the large majority of
the worknen in these cases would have
been registered against the strikes. In the
trolley car strike, I am told that about
sixty men out of four hundred was the
largest number ever present ut a meet
Ing OF the strikers and that the number
who met and perpetuated the strike af-
ter 1t was begun, was about Iaf that. Il
mere traction or the whole They would
not allow secret ballot so as to get Il
fair expression of the opinion OF the fair
minded men,
i nave never said that all strike leaders
were drunkards or addicted to the use of
liquor. but said that most of the work
men who create trouble and most of their
leaders who preclpitnte strikes are either
Keepers of saloons or freq,ienters Of the
same and that. in my opinion II the sa-
looms were closed. there would be no
strikes This have abundant reason to
believe. Further would like to take the
opinion of the honest and Industrious men
VINO have been forced to go out in the
dozen strikes which have taken place in
Scranton and vicinity in the last five
Years. so as to learn beyond doubt if what
have been told is true. Let them ex-
press themselves without fear of being
called vile names or suffering any abuse
ana they will doubtless be found in large
majority opposed to the folly, waste and
misery of these strikes.
| began the careful investigation of the
whole matter of work and wages many
years ago. Perhaps my fierce and violent
critics of the press and pulpit have read
more and thought and observed more on
would be quite willing to put their knowl-
edge or their sympathies to fair test.
am the friend Of every honest man who
works with head or hands. who by in
dustry adds to the wealth of society.
am IN favor Of better conditions and char
acter for every man in every station of
life. am and have always been as re-
spectful towards the hand worker as to.
ward the head worker
am not In favor of having mobs and
a agitators run the business of which they
Know nothing. l affirm the right of ev-
cry man to work and equally his duty to
do so. ! believe that among the most USE
less and selfish of men are those labor
agitators who are the friends of no in
dustry and are envious of an Industrious
and prosperous workers. I believe in the |
freest interchange of facts and feelings
SO as to create good understanding be-
tween the men who hire Workmen and !
the workmen whom they hire. But |
believe that the strikes and boycotts of
our country are wasteful destructive, |
harmful and foolish as they are wicked |
and the very things that labor unions |
should seek to avoid. do not deny the |
right of men sometimes to strike. But + |
doubt If 1t Is ever wise. Eliminate the |
labor conditions caused by strong drink |
ana you add prosperity in every way to |
every member of society and to none 1nors |
[laan the common workman. The wasted |
miilions and the wasted energy would en-
rich every one perceptibly il saved.
In this brief and I trust wholly cour.
Leous statement | have not attempted to
iiscuss at length the great matters to
which / have alluded. I have brought
,orwald only a few facts of which I nave
Information. il any one is willing to adj
'ance the proposition that these strikes
1ave been excited. created and carried on
" reasonable slillful. industrious. sober,
'irtuous working men. I am ready to dis
'uss the facts with him in the lsindest
ma fairest manner l shrink from no
ruth and | abuse no man. ITpon the pa-
'ers and the mon who abuse me I have
10 time nor disposition to fling epithets
n revi'ings. But I believe that if the
azH demagogues and the mischief maxi
RS. industrial and POLITICAL who lure
ur wage earners into the destructive
'atties which we call strikes. would cease
o deceive the ignorant and rather re-
pect the industrious. and to work with
heir own hands. they would be perform
ng far better service for humanity
han they have ever heretofore done.
nave studied the strikes oil this coun-
ry and OF Europe as indeed the whole
uestion of work and wages. for the last
tteen years. With my conclusions as
ublished. sober, capable. Industrious fair
nen, employers and employed. have en-
fessed themselves satisfied. I am will
ng to stand on what have heretofore
ubilshed mot what / am enormously re-
orted to have said). and to restate at
ny time and in any presence, precisely
nd without hesitation. what know and
elieVe. | covet only such favor as truth
aims from honest men. And 7 should
@ Very glad to cooperate with any and
u Intelligent and consderate men TO nut
II end to the folly which. manifested in
'cessant labor war, is working such un-
and immeasurable hardship
nd loss to all the people of every condi-
on In this region. Very truly yours.
Il. ]. Lansing.
NJ