Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-06-15
THE STRIKE CRAZE.


The following article by the editor Of
the Juvenile Instructor appears in The
current number Of that excellent period
ical. 1t is so timely, and bears out so
fully the sentiments on the subject Oh
labor unions and strikes that have been
expressed in these columns, that we
copy Il In full and commend It TO the
attention OF all thoughtful workmen,
and especially TO I-atter-day Saints VINO
are entangled with societies that en-
danger human liberty or who contem-
plate becoming connected therewith
THE great frequency Of strikes as
well as the trihug causes which bring
many OF them about, is complete JUS
,lncation for calling the frequency Of
strikes a craze, There has been a
restiesspess among laborers growing
out Of the general prosperity Of the
country that indicates spirit OF dis
satisfaction which IS often quite apart
from any definite causes. Men are,
therefore, going to extremes aud their
conduct. in many instances is wholly
devoid Of the spirit Of reason and COM
mon 5ustice,
In some parts of the country all
classes Of worlSnen, however different
their occupations, are banded together
IN q federated union. The distinction
which heretofore has characterized the
formation OF labor unions namely
skilled labor has been altogether done
away with, IN the city Of New York
there is the most heterogeneous mass Of
combinations In which there can pos
sibly be no distinct and common
ground for action among laboring men
IL some foreign italian working on the
streets has a grievance against his en-
rloyer for something he does no, know
exactly what, the whole union OF skilled
and uirskilled laborers 10 which he be-
longs may be compelled to take up his
grievance and orier a strike for reasons
that have absolutely nothing 60 do with
The vast majority Of men compelled "a
obey orders when the word for strike
has been given. sympathy is the only
excuse for such inconsistent combina-
tons; and at bottom the real purpose
for such strikes Is the hostile attitude Of
labor toward capital Such an attitude
Il long maintained viii prove menace
10 law and order and to the highest in
terests Of our republic.
Then again where separate organiEa-
lions have been formed, they are often
at war with one another and employers
are made to bear the burden OF theiI
contentious. Recently in New York
city there was a dispute between The
masons and the electricians as to which
should place certain holes in the walls
10 receive the electric wires The con-
sentIon stopped the work and the CON
tractors, by the rules Of the labor union
were compelled to pay the men wages
while the work was stopped and tbs
contention was under way.
In one Of the cities OF Ohio, a funera
was interrupted because non-unior
man was driving the hearse. In New
Haven union men refused to dig grave
because an non-union undertaken wa'
asked 20 conduct the funeral In th'
same city. people felt the necessity o.
asking their friends who were intendms
20 be present at the funeral not to CONS
IN non-unlon hacks These are fee
Illustrations which indicate the IRA.
tional spirit that IL nov too frequently
governing the strikers
Nor Is such a craze confined TO this
country. in Australia the government
has found II necessary 10 pass laws e
runish men by line and Imprisonment
rho Jeff the railroad service through
orders OF the unions. since the railroads
ese there owned by the national gov
trament. The government has beet
ssssained by the good sense o. the erea
Il, .ority OK the people upon who's
nohise the government depends
& en- the judiciary Of this country haI
M been free from the reckless spri
uhich unionism Is creating Throughout
, tae lard. Recently Judge Dickinson O.
Omaha enjoined employers from bring
lax injunction suits against labo
Unions This is not only government Dc
Injunction. but is controlling the process
cfrourts by injunction, The same juagO
al.o enioined employers from importin.
laborers to take the place OF strikers
eeeh an order from the bench Is ne
rarded as the utmost judicial folly; and
such conduct on the part Of the unions
and our judiciary may well caus
thonghtful men 10 stop and ask them
sslvese cauaidiy whittier such q reck
less spirit and warlike atupdi
toward employers IL likely &
carry them The I.atier-day saint
are earnestly warned agaiu-t an
rcklessness ana hostility Of unlonisu
among laborers. Under present cir
eumsisnces our people Will In the END
md 1t hester wherever possible to avo',
All participation In the declarations o
war which 90 many q the unions ar'
lrrstionally making against capital
There are three clearly defined IrInci
pies that should b. well understood and
csrefuny observed in the RELATIONSHIP
which men occupy 70 their employers
u the FIRST place employers should b
MADE % fetl secure In ne conduct o.
iheir business ard that no violenc'
shsi b. done IN m. and that property
rghis shAn ~ held @cred' In The
seconi place. ~efkmen. even when they
-. ros sne.nters II the unlon. should bt