The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-05-27

New York Times computes the cost 10
the operators of the coal strike of 1900
That strike. it will be remembered,
lasted from Sept. II to Oct. 90, six
weeks. Eight of the companies. in the
two calendar months which included
the strike. lost in gross earnings $1.I3S.-
I65: while in net earnings the loss was
4,1G1, $50. 1t should be explained that
these figures do not include the losses
of two of the largest companies, the
Delaware. Lackawanna and Western
and the Delaware and Hudson. which
do not issue monthly statements: nor
do they comprehend the losses of the
individual operators. Just how to get
at the total loss except by a rough guess
we do not know; but in all probability
the companies and operators of all
kinds during that six weeks strike lost.
net, a million week, while the strik
ers, according to the best information,
lost somewhat more than million a
week.
Most OF the million a week lost by the
strikers was lost forever. Very little of
it came back. Most OF the million a
week lost by the companies came back
in an increased charge for coal after
ward. What was true then is true to-
day. The miners and operators are both
losing about IL million week because
by close vote the radicals at Hazle-
ton outvoted the conservative upper
district men who opposed strike; but
the operators have the million to lose,
knowing full well that most Of it is
simply on vacation, with every pros
pect of returning. while the great ma
iority of the miners, with homes to pay
for and families to support, have not.
To the stockholders in the cOal-carry-
ing railroads the strike means the pass
ing of a dividend, maybe for six months,
maybe for year, but few holders OF
railway stock will go hungry in conse-
quence. At the worst it will mean
simply trimming little in reducible
Representatives,, furbelows. luXuries.
But to the average miner the loss OF
income Is total. and it means absolute
penury and starvation. 1t is an unequal
struggle in which it would be dishonest
and cruel to the miner to delude him
into believing that the chances of vic
tory are in his favor.
About the only peg on which it seems
to us that the strike leaders can now
hang a genuine hope is that the finan-
cial world, fearing panic in the event
of prolonged fuel shortage, may CO.
cree the coal magnates into cOmpro-
lei
thus expresses his opinion on that
score: "As matter of fact, when the
strike was on in 1900 the transportation
companies in general We're so we'll occu-
pied that they added to their revenues
SO, 900, and conditions were so favor
able that they secured 81, ,133, 600 to add
to their profit total And this is not the
whole Of the story, for it must be borne
in mind that scarcely an industry in
the country but what has been strength
ened in the past year and half,
scarcely any of the country's activities
but what have grown more active. The
base of all operations is firmer as re-
suit. and 1t may we'll be doubted whether
the advent of n coal strike will produce
convulsion' anywhere but at the point
of origin. Year by yearAit is coming to
proof not only that the effects of par
ticular disturbances become more and
more localized. but that other influences
develop as minimizing factors" The
expectation of bituminous sympa-
thetic strike Is now generally recog-
nized as having no tangible foundation.
But the best proof that the struggle
Is unequal Is found in the complete alb
sence of enthusiasm with which the
substantial men among the miners went
into it and stay in it, They We're driven
by the majority. against their own
better judgment. They are loyal to
their union and mean to obey its COM
mands as long as flesh and blood can
stand the uncalled for strain; but they
know in their hearts and when talking
man to man they will admit that 1t Is
hopeless struggle. They fully realize
that 1t ought not to have been begun.
IT at the best some slight concession
should DE wrung from the operators
after months of battle. they know 1t
would be poor compensation for the
losses sustained and the suffering en-
dured; while If at the worst they have
to go back beaten at every point. then
they foresee that an end will come to
the present miners organization and
much that Is good in 1t will be sacr-
feed because the hotheads would not
let the cool heads lead it.
The lesson of 1t all is very plain to
those who have the moral courage 10
face it; and delay will simply make 1t
palmer and the tuition more costly.
The statue of Frederick the Great
should be accepted at once. With peace
in the Philippines and in South Africa,
the monument would furnish an excel
lent. target for the uneasy patriots of
congress who will soon have nothing
else to throw bricks at