The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-08-18
THE CHICAGO STRIKE.

1t appears that in one respect the
conduct of the present strike in Ohioa-
go has been the best of any of the
great labor struggles which the city
| by the lake has seen. Previous strikes
have been characterized by violence,
! but up to date there has been no Sc
rious trouble as result of the difficult
ties between the meat packers and
their employees. There have been a
few cases of inexcusable violence,
there have been several instances when
it appeared for short time that there
would be considerable bloodshed, but
when the great number of men and
women directly interested and the still
greater number of sympathizers are
considered it is readily seen that what
has occurred is of mparatively little
Importance.
Throughout the ck-yards district
is posted the following notice, printed
in English, German, Lithuanian, Pol
ish and Bohemian:
! I'VE can win if we stand by the
union. If we obey the unions rules
to modest no person or property, and
abide strictly by the laws of this
country. All men on strike should
retire to their homes and attend their
various union meetings for all infor-
nation. If you follow the above in
structions, you will be of great ASSIST
anoe in helping to win the strike,
Your organization will not assist
you il you get into unlawful trouble. !"
1t appears from the reports from
Chicago that the union leaders are
throwing their whole influence toward
the side OF peaceful and orderly con-
duct and that the rank and file of the
strikers are closely following them.
The union leaders are doing something
more than merely to give out state
ments that they want no bloodshed
and no assaulting of non-union men.
They are constantly on the watch to
prevent trouble and are more effectual
than the police in so doing. Arrange
ments have been made with the police
by which, in case trouble breaks out
anywhere, the nearest union head
quarters is to be telephoned A great
many instances have already been re-
corded of incipient riots checked and
an enraged mob quieted by few
words from some union leader called
quickly to the spot.
The union leaders are to be com
mended for the peacefulness with
which they have thus far conducted
the strike. A great many of the stock
yard employees are not Of the best or
most peaoeable makeup. Many can
not speak English, and the control of
OF these men is no simple matter. If
they are controlled and kept within the
bounds of the law somebody must be
busy.
AS to the wisdom of this strike
there may be some question. There
are severe critics of President Donnel-
ly's course, even from sources that are
strongly favorable to labor interests
1t would seem that at least he was toe
hasty in his actions in calling the
strike on again after it had been set
tied once. The agreement between
the packers and the strikers was to the
effect that the packers should take
back their former employees without
discrimination as soon as possible, and
that all should be taken back within
forty-five days. The whole force
5000 strikers presented themselves the
next morning and demanded their
former jobs. 1t was impossible to
comply with their demands in a single
day, because the jobs were not re-
served, but Donnelly at once called
, the strike on again. He should have
, waited until the packers had had al
opportunity to demonstrate either that
, they were or were not acting in good
, faith. As it is now nobody can tell
, but since there is nothing apparent
, that violates the agreement it must be-
considered that the packers were hon
est in their actions.
1t may be that the agreement wa
somewhat loose, but if it was, il
, should have been realized before i
. was signed. There was plenty of op
portunity. AS it is now, the striker
are put in somewhat COMPROMISED
position and, it would seem, because
4 of the hssty and i'll advised action O
. President Donnelly. Public sentimen
/, has much to do in the ultimate settle
ment of strikes. Public sentiment a
. voiced by the newspapers in Chicago
/, and in fact throughout the country
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