The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-07
THE COST E STRIKES.

The Worlds Work says that the strikes
and lock-outs that hindered Industry ir
June were more numerous than they have
over been before, and. taken altogether
they we're moro serious than strikes have
been before, except such great strikes az
the coal strike of last winter and the rev
railroad aud iron mill strikes that all VIII
easily recall. 1.-THE sum total OF the In
terruption OF work." 1t proceeds, rs ar
enormous loss. Is Is a loss, too, that is
greater than the public knows, because
II is widely scattered, and Is for that rea-
son incalc,Ilable. 1t is loss OF wages
a loss OF income, q loss OF trade. gen.
eral Encouragement to many forms OF
Industry. Such strikes are all hurtful
SO far from any good results see the
possible OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF savings
an increasing hesitation Of capital. in some
cases a definite cnrtallment OF trade and
an increase OF prices. All these forces
work gradually, but they work steadily
to one result-hard times. A check on
even the greatest prosperity must come
at last If industry continues to suffer
hlndrance and disturbance.
This Is not an exaggerated statement, as
people in Richmond hre we'll prepared to
believe. We have all seen what terri
bic hindrance to business tho street car
strike u.s. If the strike affected the street
car line only the community would not
feel It so much. But 1t affects every line
of business, and It affects public senu-
mont With the people stirred up as they
have been for some time past they are
not in tho mood for business. They feel
gloomy, and the most enterpr'sins men
arc disposed to hold back until a settle
ment Is In sight.
A we'll known builder Of Richmond said
In our presence the other day that he had
practically stopped his building operations
and would not build more houses for the
present because he did not know how far
reaching the evil influence OF the strike
would be.
We do not mean to lecture the strikers.
If they we're not satisfied with their wages
they were not under obligation to keep at
work simply to save the community from
disturbance. But the statements made by
the Worlds Work and the plain facts OF
the situation in Richmond are enough
to bring oil wage-earners to reflection.
Mr.. William j. Bryan used to speak OF
the wage-earners OF the country as ousl-
ness men. and 80 they are. They are
business men, and they are as much In
terested as any other class Of business
men in seeing prosperity continued.
They must protect their own interests,
and we don't blame them for doing 80,
but II the workmen so disturb business
as to put check to prosperity and bring
on q period OF hard times they are GER
tainly working against their interests,
and they will suffer when the country
suffers.
Tho street car strike Is costing MT.
Gould a round sum of money. But 1t Is
costing the strikers and the community
much more. 1t is also costing the tax
payers enough money to run many public
schools for many months. In our opin-
ion 1t is going to~cost many Of their
strikers their positions. Every time the
company puts on new man permanently
It means one position less to be filled. and
an many such men arc being employed
fewer and fewer places are left
for the strikers. The company insists
that 1t Will not yield and Mr.. Gould has
a long purse The strikers may, continue
to hamper him in the operation of his
cars and may continue to mako him
spend money freely, but II Mr.. Gould has
determined to fight It out, what good are
tho strikers doing for themselves In pro-
longing the struggle? Are they not hurt
ing themselves more than they are hurt
ing him? Are they making or losing
friends by keeping up the fight? Are
they making friends OF the tax payers?
Are they making friends OF the merchants
whose business Is suffering? Are they
making friends of those whom they are
forcing to walk? They may think so. but
they are mistaken. Men and women do
not love to make sacrifices, and the
strikers know full we'll that many people
are walking not through real sympathy,
but from intimidation, and men do not
love to be compelled, no matter what
they say.
We are not giving advice, but we have
stated some plain facts, which the strik-
ers will do we'll to consider.