The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-07-29
THE MEAT STRIKE.

One Of the greatest strikes that
this country has ever witnessed is
now going on, and the end is not in
sight. 1t exists among the employees
ofthe principal packing houses ofthis
country. As Chicago is the great
centre of the cattle killing and pack
ing industry, it is naturally the piv-
otal point. Estimates point to the
tie-up of over $4,000 men, and when
we consider those indirectly interest
ed the number may reach close to
100000. Add to this the number of
persons who are dependent on these
for living and we have more than
100000, not to mention the millions
who are affected by the rise in this
necessity of life, for it is recognized
fact that a certain amount of this
nutrinent is necessary for those at
least who lead a life of manual labor.
The purpose of the strike was to
prevent reduction in wages and to
secure to common laborers the same
right to trade agreement as is con-
coded to skilled workers. Upon the
expiration of the contract, wages of
unskilled workers have been reduced
a cent or more an hour since last
May by some of the packers, and
others evinced an intention of doing
the same thing. The packers indi-
Gated a wish to deal with the skilled
laborers and renew a contract that
had been in force, but the common
workmen they would not consider,
as they wished to be free to obtain
this class oflabor in the open mar
ket, which was said to less than they
were paying. The skilled workers
promptly took up the contention
and did so not merely from unsel6sh
motives but on the ground that the
existence in the same industry of an
unorganized and poorly paid body of
unskilled workers would be a contin-
ual menace to the welfare Of the or
gained and better paid skilled work
ers. Consequently when negotia-
tions to secure results failed general
strike was ordered.
The strike became general for sew
eral reasons, principally, however,
because of an effort to secure univer-
sal wages under one agreement for
all packing centers; and unless it be-
came general it would not be effect.
ual, since virtually the same concerns
control the principal packing houses
of the country If business stopped
in Chicago the cattle could be ship
ped to Kansas City, or vice versa,
and the same concern could operate
in the city not affected by the strike
order.
At one time last week it seemed
that a tr .ce had been patched up and
the men started to return to work
They soon discovered, however, that
the packers were only filling vacant
places, retaining the men that they
had employed since the strike COM
menced. The strike was at once re-
newed and the men are still out.
The most important lesson that |
the public can learn from this strike
is that it is at the mercy of few cor
porations who control the entire out
put of this country. About two
years ago a similar discovery was
made while the hard coal strike was
on. 1t shows that the whole country
is in the hands of few trusts, at least |
so far as number OF everyday COM
moditics are concerned. The Demo-
cratic party, in its platform, is pledged
to pass and enforce legislation that
will bring about the dissolution of
every combination that has for its
object the restriction of competition.
The effect of this strike shows how
three or four firms can dominate not
only the price of beef, but what the
farmer shall also be paid for his fat
cattle. 1t is true that the strike has
just now put up wholesale prices, but
this is but sympathetic move with
the sky-high retail that the market
has reached. AS the price of coal is
controlled, the cost of oil manipulat-
ed, so can the few say what the many
shall pay for their table necessities.
The beef trust has chance to strike