The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-17
HEETHlcs oFTHE STRIKE.


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THE ETHICS oFTHE STRIKE.
All strikes at all times are to be de-
plored. It is a pity that IN a civillza-
ton such as ours employer and employees
cannot get along without resort to such
drastic measures. A street car strike Is
particularly unfortunate. because ina
city like Richmond street cars are a
necessity. and hundreds and thousands
Of men and women are dependent on
them to go back and forth to their work.
a great deal has been said of late
about the rights Of the public IN
strikes affecting the general interest
Some have gone so far as to insist. In
connection with the coal strike. that
the mine owners and their employees
should be compelled by law to settle
their differences and resume operations.
Such view is extreme and absurd.
The mine owners may work their mines
or not as. they see proper; and the
miners may quit whenever they choose.
and remain in idleness as long as they
please. The public have no right TO
interfere Liberty would be mockery
If the law could compel a man to work
upon terms that did not suit him. or upon
any terms, against his will.
The case is somewhat different, to be
sure. with a street car company. The
company which controls and operates the
electric lines Of Richmond and vicinity
works under franchises which it and its
constituent companies have received from
the city of Richmond, and it is required
to give a convenient and reasonable SER
vice. If it fail to do so. the Council will
call the company to account. But the
company cannot in reason be expected
to yield every demand tat its employees
may make regardless of its ability to pay
the wage demanded, and when its en-
ployes strike, as in this instance, it must
in fairness have reasonable time within
which to adjust the difference with Its
men or secure the services of other men.
Sooner or later, however. the company
must give the public such a service as
IS required under its agreement with the
city.
AS for the men, they were clearly with
in their rights when they struck. They
demanded a certain wage, and as the de-
mand was not met by the company they
quit work. The men were also within
their rights when they declined to arbi-
trate. notwithstanding the fact that many
people think that they should have ac-.
cepted this offer of the company. The
men are to Judge for themselves on this
point also. They are under no obliga-
ton either to the company or to the
public to arbitrate, as the company
would be under mo obligation to arbi
trate at the suggestion Of the men. All
that the public can require of the strikers
is that they will be orderly and peaceable,
its endeavors to operate the cars with
other men.
Such, in our view. is the equity of the
case. Now let the company consider the
case from the standpoint Of the men as
well as from its own standpoint. Let the
men consider the case from the stand
point of the company. as well as from
their own standpoint. Let each strive
to ascertain what is fair and just to both
sides. That done settlement will be
easy.
1t has been our boast in this community
that employers and employees are on
friendly terms. There is no Tabor and
capital problem in Richmond. as there
is in cities at the North. This difficulty
ought ito be, and we believe that at
will be, settled in friendly way. After
all, however. it comes down to this. If
the strikers have right and justice on
their side they will win; otherwise they
will lose This thing is sure. The
the sympathy of the pubic If they re-
sort to acts of violence. Mr.. Simmons
summed it all UP when he told them to
be. gentlemen.
The decision of the street railway COM
rany and the men to submit their diff
fererces to arbitration will meet with
public approval. It is hoped and believed
that conclusions will be reached which
will. In the end. be best for both COM
many and men, and insure the pr emotion
of the interests CT the public in the con-
tinuance of good car service.
Richmond is to be congratulated that
her first street railway strike was of such
short duration and did not cause greater
-;,,opvaniapca IN tho r,ennla
SENTIMENT AND BUSINESS.
During the recent convention in Bal
t;r,ora IF the Interna tional Tra dee Union