The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-04-07

tuT Slflkt lluNlls, II
4 u really been effected this time,
to the distinct credit of its
legotators, opportunity is afforded for
giving expression to some of the many
reflections which this long and fruitless
struggle suggest. We need not now re-
vive any of the controversies involved,
for it is clearly best for all concerned
that they should be encouraged to die
out as soon as possible. Valuable les
sons have undoubtedly been learned on
all sides. Mistakes have been made
which will not soon be repeated.
But there is one phase of the long
struggle which deserves especial atten-
tion, both at home and abroad. This
strike lasted six months. 1t represented
distinct test of strength between
organized labor and the resisting power
of capital. During its long course preju-
dice necessarily grew and temper was
not sweetened. Yet it remains to be
tistic encounters, hardly more than
could have been expected under ordi-
nary circumstances and few eXplos-
ions of torpedOes under moving cars,
confined mostly within Il small area,
there was no considerable disorder and,
as a direct consequence, no loss of life
or more than minor injury to property
A population exceeding 100000 people,
complex as to nationality and scattered
over twenty square miles, was policed
without the aid of troops or their need
at any time, and with q police force
hardly sufficient in numbers though
since increased) to allow two officers TO
each square mile of territory during the
hours when disorder is most common.
We are aware that during the period of
these torpedo explosions, the actual
damage from which was practically nil,
though they contributed to nervousness,
many of our citizens became eXasper-
ated and momentarily regarded the
police conditions as worse than they
We're; but it is Il fact of easily verified
record that there has never been an
other street car strike in the United
States of proportions at all comparab bic
with this one in which there was not
far greater disturbance of the peace and
far worse menace to life and property
than characterized the strike in Scran-
ton, the place heralded far and wide as
IA stronghold of labor disturbance and
disorder.
we shall not attempt at this time to
assign the credit for this condition of
affairs. 1t doubtless belongs to many
influences. working along different lines.
Certainly we must accord grateful
recognition of the fact that the strikers,
both as individuals and as an organ
ization, discouraged the employment of
violence. Their more intelligent sympa-
thizers likewise displayed the quality of
prudence and good Judgment in strlv-
ing to hold down those whose natural
tendency was to precipitate riot. The
moral influence of the Citizens Alliance,
more potent than its offers of rewards,
was also power for peace. But It
would be unfair to the administration
of our city affairs not to appreciate that
1t did far more by quiet and even-tem-
pered ways to avert the contingency of
an open clash than it's critics ALWAYS
knew. Viewed calmly, after an interval
of time for reflection, it's course must
win the ultimate approval of all who
believe In law and order without buster
or spectacle.
The.point we desire especially to en-
phasize Is that Scranton is a safe city
for capital to invest in and for enter
prise to live in. The ferment is over
and Scranton is once more ready for
business.