The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-03-01
UNREST IN The i. /
WORLD OF LABOR
TWO BIG STRIKES IN PROGRESS
AND NUMBER OF OTHERS
ARE THREATENED.


New York, March Strikes al
present are being carried on by the
employees of the Philadelphia Rapid
Transit company and the Bethlehem
Steel company at South Bethlehem,
Pa.
The employees of the Baltimore a.
Ohio railroad are voting whether or
not a general strike shall be called on
the system.
The. United Mine Workers OF Amer
lea favor a general strike If the mine
owners do not accede to their demands
ana grant higher wages in the new
scale that goes into erect April I.
The textile workers in New England
are voting on a general strike, and al
ready half of the mills are on half
time.
| Samuel Gompers mas warned Presi-
dent Taft that the employees OF the
United States Steel corporation will
strike unless certain grievances are
remedied and the rights of the labor
ers are recognized to a fuller extent by
the steel trust.
One hundred railroads have refused
to grant wage demands by their en-
pIoyes and labor troubles will follow
| quickly once the lead is taken.
The spirit of unrest stretches from
coast to coast and a false move may
cause a national labor explosion
Samuel Gompers, president OF the
i American Federation of Labor, held a
two nour conference with Attorney
General Wickersham in Washingta@
discussing legislation affecting laborv
Mr.. Gompers said that the presses
work of union labor was constructive
and conservative In characte but If II
lis outlawed and crushed out of exist
], ence by unfavorable laws and court
decisions he feared that another move
ment would follow which would not be
constructive.
Mr.. Gompers called the attention of
the attorney general to the present
status of labor unions In America.
He spoke Of their strength and power
and influence. He intimated strongly
that radicals might undertake a meth
cd of destruction which could not be
easily stemmed IL the petitions of
union workers were not given full re-
cognizance by the federal govern
, ment.
Lays II to Politics.
Frank Anderson. personal represent
alive of Benjamin F. Yoakum of the
|. Hawley- Yoakum railroad syndicate
: says that demagogue politics are -
sponsible for much of the trouble,
: that this same reason is hinderin1
railroad extension.
Railroads are not building as mucl
!. as they would otherwise" said Mr..
! Anderson. ct is on account of these
: one horse politicians who are seeking
offices and notoriety."
The Western Association Of Rail-
roads has issued a statement explain
ing why they cannot advance wages
: They declare that rats arc ton j, "
: and the high cost of everything makes
a wage advance impossible.
Samuel Gompers, president OF the
= American Federation OF Labor, and
: other leaders in the labor world have
!, sounded note of alarm. and 1t Is evi.
4 dent from the tenor of their state.
!. ments they fear they would have little
i control ii the radical element should
assert a dominancy.
The high cost of living and the en-.
posures of trust methods which an.
i parently have helped cause these high
prices have stung the working classes
:. into a state bordering on frenzy.
1t may be that federal intervention
/. may be necessary to restore the calm
= which formerly existed.