The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-08-12
WHY ARE MEN LOOKING FOR AN
OPPORTUNITY TO STRIKE?

The numerous strikes and walk-outs
and threatened strikes prevailing
throughout the country present an in
dustrial condition demanding not only
the thoughtful consideration Of the Ia
Dor employing corporations and the
labor unions, but also the law makers
and every citizen having the interests
of the commonwealth at heart
In the present strike of the tele-
graphers is presented the unique spec
tacle of the MEL taking the initiative,
leaving their work and demanding OF
their officials that the members of the
union be called out all over the coun-
try. A few clicks of the keys are
flashed across the continent and ope-
rators leave their instruments and the
commercial interests suffer inestima-
BILE loss.
1t appears that the men have been
waiting for an opportunity to make
certain demands of their employers.
and when few of their number have
been discharged for various reasons
considered sufficient for dismissal by
the employer, the men take advantage
of the situation, demand a reinstate-
ment, and with the same breath, while
the public as we'll as the employing
corporations are suffering, call for bet
ter pay and better hours, deeming is
necessary to bring about results for
which they have been organizing, and
settle any differences which might
arise while the strike prevails.
Taving became thoroughly organized
and allied with other unions, realizing
their strength, the telegraphers are
debating the conditions under which
they will work and there now appears
TO be but one result-they will get
what they are asking for. Without
being asked, the railway telegra pliers,
Postal telegraphers and Associated
Press operators have offered their as
sistance. and all seem anxious to take
at least short vacation for the ed
ucation of the corporations and the
public
The vital question presented is not
as to the merits of the controversy,
but is the cause of the eagerness with
which the men are jumping at the
opportunity to strike and tie up the
commercial wires of the country. Not
only is this true with reference to the
telegra pliers but it is safe to say that
practically every labor union in the
country could be called out and would
willingly strike if it should be neces-
sary in order to win the struggle.
Plenty of excuses could be found for
practically every union man. to walk
out" Union printers could refuse to
set copy furnished by nom union tele-
graphers union railway men could re-
fuse TO operate trains under orders
taken by ''scab" men, unior. carpen-
tiers. brick masons and hod carriers
could refuse to handle material hauled
by scab railroad men working unde-
orders taken by non-union telegraph
ers, etc, etc. This is not necessarily
an unreasonable presumption. There
is a perfect chain of union organiza-
tions, the members of which can and
will refuse to work in any way with
non union labor or material handled
by non-uLion men.
Under our laws capital has a right
to organize into combinations, labor
has a right TO stand together and they
are availing themselves of these priv
ileges. The question is. what will be
the ultimate result. With the Boise
trial, which was heralded by organized
labor as conspiracy on the part OF
capital to railroad labor leaders tc
the gallows, fresh in the minds of the
workingmen. with the revelations OF
the Standard Oil and other corporation
investigations startling the country
with the unearthing of graft" in high
Office, the breach between capital ans
labor appears to be widening and the
struggle grows in its fierceness. the