New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-08-25
IRISH LAWBREAklNG.
Trade Union Legislation Practically
Tested at Belfast.
Bella st, August L.

.Fr
lished and privileges essential 10 the successful
conduct of a strike were restored last year oy
the trades disputes act The first pracucai
,es+ NJ the new law by which decisions of the
courts have been reversed. occurs here in the
course of the carriers strike. The grievances
end demands of the worlKInen l shall not at
renpt TO explain in detail. II IS an ordinary
trade dispute. with not little to be said on
each side When the leaders failed TO come to
terms the men were ordered out and local
,,-.nsnorratjon. upon which the shipbuidng,
shining linen. tobacco ana other industries OF
one of the busiest towns in the kingdom were
dependent was disorganized- Immediately there
was conflict OF forces in the new status OF
legislation The men had the oldtime right or
combining against their employers and the new
privilege OF peaceable picketing, conducted TOT
the sole purpose of bringing moral suasion TO
bear upon blacklegs employed as substitutes
The employers had the right Of contract Win
r,nern-,loved labor and Of hiring carriers on their
own terms The strikers had the advantages
derived from bringing on a general paralysis OF
the industrial activities Of the community Inc
employers benefited by the facility with which
labor requiring no marked degree of efficiency
CT skill could be obtained. The supreme issue
,r, which organized labor was vitality interested
wa whether picketing, expressly sanctioned nv
recent act Of Parliament. could be effectively
conducted without Indictment TO violence and
disturbance OF public tranquility. In this con-
~ict the employers rather than the strikers are
the victors. although the contest has not yet
closed
The diminishing began quietly with picketing
under systematic regulation of the trade unions
The substituted carriers were approached by
strikers and reasoned with respecting their
errors OF Judgment in taking wages and op-
ros,ng tha interests Of trade unionisn, and
when they were unoonvinced by the picketers
arguments they surrounded by larger
groups. and more urgent appeals were made TO
them TO give up their jobs This was the inter
ference by peaceable persuasion warranted by
the new law. but it was not effective. While
some OF the blacklegs responded 10 appeals and
ceased TO work. the majority chung persistently
TO the idea that their labor was their own and
that they had an inallenable right TO dispose of
st IN the open market II was not long before
the language OF picketers became more men
acing, and argument and rernonstrance were re-
Enforced by more violent methods Of persuasion
Drivers OF carts, wagons. lorries and steam
motors were wsylaid and attacked by mobs of
strikers While organized groups of trade
unionists pickete6 they had never picketed
before. they were povverless 10 control the
cited tarongs Of sympathizers in the streets and
at the approaches TO the docks There were
assaults upon blacklegs by day and by night,
bootf-g being followed by showers of stones and
broken bottles The strike got entirely out of
hand and traffic and business were blocked by
terrorism Strikers had enjoyed full liberty OF
combination and peaceable persuasion under the
law and possibly they had not abused it, but
they had not been able 10 prevent outbreaks Of
lawlessness and turbulence. Factories and
workshops closed: the docks were con-
sested with freight. much Of it perlshable. which
r7o-h he
from Glasgow and other towns were impeded
in their labors, and disorder increased until it
was beyond civic control. Whether picketing
had been peaceably or Illegally conducted, IL had
opened the way for intimidation and outrages by
crowds Of idlers until public disorders
continuous and intoIerable.
At this stage OF the strike occurred uneK-
pected revolt of the local constabuary force,
which at first seemed helpful and eventually
proved disastrous to the interests of organized
labor. The police force. being in sympathy
with the trade unions, sent remonstrance TO
Dublin Castle against various grievances. and,
taking advantage Of a critical time, insolently
demanded series OF reforms. The govern
Tnent being confronted with widespread disaf-
lection In the police force dismissed the mutt
neers, employed extra body OF constab les and
rnassed number Of battalions Of infantry in
the city. For several days the military forces
owing TO increase Of lawlessness they were
rinally ordered assist the police in patrolling
the thoroughfares and protecting blackleg cart
ers The employment Of soldiers in dispensing
anobs would hardly have occurred II the police
had not been insubordinate and Enthusiastically;
but Il was decisive measure which paralyzed
the energies Of picketers and treasured employ
ers With armed files TO escort lines OF non
union carriers from the docks and warehouses,
the conveyance Of goods through the city
resumed without dread OF intimidation and VIC
Tenoe Discipline was restored in the constabu-
larry force. which had been strengthened by
drafts from other Irish towns. NOn-union
drivers regained their courage: piles of freight
at the docks and railway stations were reduced;
a thousand tons of goods were removed in the
course OF day. and there was again sem
bIance OF order in loyal. law-abiding Belfast.
The soubre. quaint city as fl is seen to-day
IS virtually under martial law. Royal avenue
and other thoroughfares guarded by bat
ralions armed with rifles and ball cartridge
Sentries are posted at street corners; strong files
sre marching from quarter to another with
fixed bayOnets: reserves are massed at the Gus
tom house and bridges. and in front OF banks
monuments and churches; and mobs Of sullen
fdlers are overawed and silent These military
precautions have not been unnecessary, for
there have been exciting scenes Sunday
The crowds Of Disseminated ard angry work
men, instigated by socialist oratory. have thrown
stones and bottles at the police maltreated
drivers. attacked escorts, attempted 10 rescue
prisoners and even offered strenuous resistance
10 battalfons Of infantry. Last night there was
a running fight lasting nearly two hours be-
tween rioters and the constables with their mill
tary supports; and mob violence was not sup
pressed until police and infantry numbered fully