New-York tribune., 1907-09-24
GIBBONS ON STRIKES.
~HTRT ElfPLOYE MORE"
Cardinal Bitterly attacks "Grasp-
ing. Sordid' MonopoIists.

differences between the employers and the en-
Moved. and makes urgent appeal for the
nacfc adjustment of industrial difficulties.
With unusual candor. but kindly spirit,
he makes several outspoken admOnitions TO
eanized labor. He expresses clearly in detail
Sis views regarding capital and labor and
snaliy urges workingmen to strive constantly
and sealously toward uplifting of the moral
and social standard of their organizations.
Although his theme is Organized Labor and
much Of the article is addressed TO the labor
organizations, Cardinal Gibbons does not spare
the trusts and corporations, He is unsparing
in his denunciation of those monopolists who
he says exhibit a grasping avarice which
has dried up every sentiment of sympathy and
q sordid selflshness that is deaf TO the cries Of
distress
7Vorkingnlen for their own protection, Cardinal
Gibbons denounces those elements of organized
labor which seek 10 stir UP unnecessary discord.
ADVISES ARBITRATION.
Regarding the evils of strikes. which subject
he discusses st length, he says, in part;
Experience has shown that strikes dras-
tic and al best a very questionable remedy for
the redress OF the laborers grievances. They
paralyze industry. they often fomenJ fierce pas
sicns and lead 10 the destruction OF property;
and above all, they result IN fnflicting grieVous
injury on the laborer himself by keeping him
n enforced idleness, during which time his
mind is clouded by discomfort while brooding
over his situation and his family not infre-
Cuenty suffers from want of the neceSSar1es or
life. The loss inflicted by strikes the en-
Tlovers is not much more than half as great as
that which is sustained by the employed, who
can much less afford to bear II.
II would be a vast stride in the interests Of
peace and of the laboring classes If the policy
Of arbitration. which is now gaining favor for
the settlement OF international quarrels were
also awaited OF for the adjustment OF disputes
between capital and labor. Many blessings
would result from the adoption of this method,
for while strikes, as the name implies, are ag-
gressive and destructive. arbitration is conclia-
tory and constructive. The result in the former
case is determined by the weight of the purse.
in the latter by the weight Of the argument
Cardinal Gibbons believes that the American
wcrkingrnan is better paid and lives better than
his brethren across the Atlantic After praising
briefly the employers who have at heart the
welfare OF those they employ. his erninence
turns to the criminal corporations in their rela-
tions with the workingmen.
He says. in part:
30 friend Of his race can contemplate with
cut painful emotions these heartless monopo-
lists. Their sole aim is to realize large
dividends without regard to the paramount
claims Of Justice and Christian charity. These
trusts and r1lonopolies, like the of JugEer-
naut, crush every obstacle that stands In their
way. They endeavor-not always, it is alleged.
without euccass-to corrupt our national and
5,,, CO , SU.iiois, my
unlawful means IN driving from the market all
competing industries. They compel their oper-
atives 10 work for starving wages. especially in
mining districts and factories where protests
have but a feeble echo and easily stihed
by intimidation. In many places the corpora
tions are said &c have the monopoly OF stores
CT supply, where excrbtant prices are charged
for the recessaries Of life. bills are contracted
which the workrnen unable pay from their
scan.y wages, and their forced insolvency places
Them at the mercy of their tasknasters The
supreme law Of the land should be vindicated
and enforced, and ample protection should be
afforded legitimate competing corporations,
well the ,sboring classes, against unscrIl-
pilc2s monopoles
DISAPPROVES OF BOYCOTT
Continuing. Cardinal Gibbons discusses the
subject Of boycostins, of which he says. IN
part:
am persuaded that the system Of boycotting.
by which members OF labor unions are in
structed not to patronze certain obnoxious bust
houses, is not only disapproved by an inn
partial public sentiment, but that II does not
commend itself TO the more thoughtful and
conservative portion Of the guilds themselves.
Every .s free indeed to select the estab-
lishr7ent with which he wishes to deal. and in
purchasing from in preference to another
he is not violating justice. But the case is al
tered when, by mandate of the society, he is
debarTed from buying from a particular firm.
Such a proposition assails the liberty of the
purchaser and the rights Of the seller. and is
unwarrantabie invasion OF the commercial
PRIVILEGES guaranteed by the government TO
business concerns. If such social ostracism
was generally in vogue. a process of retaliation
camille intercourse would be checked. every n
tre % population would be divided into hostile
camps and the good feelings which ought TO
prevail in every community would be seriously
impaired Live and let live is a wise maxim.
dictated alike by the law Of trade and by Chris
tian charity.
Cardinal Gibbons warns labor unions against
toierating clements dangerous TO their own Well
bstng. He points oct that the unions have
need Of leaders possessed Of great hrmness, tact
and superior executive ability, who will honestly
aim az consulting the welfare of the society they
represent. without infringing the rights Of
their employers. They should exercise unceas-
irg vigilance in securing their body from the
control of designing demagogues. who would
make Il subservient TO their own selfish ends
convert Il into a political engine. They should
Be careful TO exclude from their ranks that
turbulent element who boldly preach the gospel
~ anarchy, socialism and nihilism; those land
pirates who preying on the industry, COM
nerce ard trade Of the country whose mission is
70 pun down and not to build up; who. instead
OF upholdng the hands OF the government that
protects therr are bent on its destruction. and
instead Of blessing the mother that opens her
10 welcome them, insult and defy her. II
such reyolutionists had their way despotism
would supplant legitimate authority. license
would reign without liberty, and gaunt poverty
would stalk throughout the land" Continuing,
he says:
The expulsion from membership in the unions
OF any men who have been builty Of outrages Of
one kind or another against the peace OF the
community the rights OF their fellow citizens
would secure for the unions the respect and
sympathy of the community, and would greatly
further the best interests of organized labor
ADVICE TO EMPLOYER.
The article contains advice to the capitalist.
the heads OF corporations and the worpingmen.
and