The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-19
STRIKE WITHOUT CAUSE.

.
STRIKE WITHOUT CAUSE.
The strike in New York this week on
the interurhan roads resulted disas-
trously for the strikers, yet no sympa-
thy for deluded individuals makes Il
possible to forget the fact that their
pitiahle condition is the just penalty Of
their own folly and the example of
their sufferings necessary element In
the evolution of well ordered society.
Justice does sometimes seem cruel. and
the evil that men do brings pain to
those who offend in ignorance and FOL
ly as well as those who are consciously
wrong, Unfortunately, too. large
circle of innocents, the wives and chill
dren. bear the burdens OF mistakes and
crimes which they were hopeless to
iprevent, 1t is hard, but its very hard
ness should have its good effect.
Here are great many men who en-
joyed good wages and an assured EN-
ployment as long as they were able TO
work. They were getting more than
their fellows engaged in similar occupa
tions elsewhere, and part OF them
worked with exceptional protection
from the elements and from physical
hardship. In perfect wantonness they
left their places, and now after week
they want them back and the time
comes for counting the cost Those
who can get back places at all, do so
in teh status of new men. They have
forfeited their claims, based on long
service. to consideration in promotion.
1t viii be only an act of grace they
get their old wages instead Of lower
wage as new recruits. Those who are
over forty years old. though before
they had an assured tenure, are now
shut out altogether by teh company's
wise rule Of taking on only young men
and giving them a chance. while at a
formative age, to work up in the SER
vice. Another serious loss threatening
the men il the forfeiture OF the benefit
claims in the national labor organlza-
ton from which their local union has
been expelled. Some Of them had to
their credit large sums, dependent on
their obedience to the law OF the union
Unless they can make their peace they
will be heavily punished for letting
themselves be misled by the lawless
elements in their local organization.
Perhaps as result OF this wage
earners will come more than ever to
realize how their capital Is invested in
industry and is dependent on obe-
dience to law, The reckless leaders had
been telling their dupes that they did
not need to abide by the union consu-
tuition or their contracts with the COM
pany. If the men thought ol their
standing as old employees at all, the
caution was overborne by the blatant
promises to bring the Interborough to
its knees. SO the plunge was taken
regardless Of the risks. Now, in some
industries conditions may be such that
the striker takes no risk, for he has no
capital of seniority or expectation OF
continuous employment. There may
also be occasions when a principle Is
at stake and men feel an obligation tc
make sacrifices. II wage earners, ser
iuosly facing their possible losses
wish to take the risk, Of course, It Is
their right. But as industry is being
II is time for them to rea-
Iize their responsibility for themselves
and their fellows. The time has come
for workers who are so anxious about
freedom really to be free in their own
to make their unions
1emocracies, not despOtisms, and gov
srn themselves with that intelligence
and self restraint BETTING the govern
ors of a democracy. What blind un'
intelligence was 1t for men over 40 TO
,ut the limb OF employment on which
they sat without looking where they
were going to fall! What sheer stu
pidlty to violate the law of an organ
ization on obedience to which their
rights depended! How should
any man think that he could violate a
contract without forfeiting those bene-
fits which the contract brought him; |
Yet thousands Of men were just SC
blind and reckless, and now they are |
paying for it-paying for irresponsi. |
bility paying for listening to the dan
gerous teaching that the wage earners
are men apart, with interests and OBJ
legations opposed 10 the rest Of So
ciety, free to ignore statute, economic !
and moral laws.
o
NO REGARD FOR LAW.