The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1911-03-17

man Of genuine breeding whom | grew
to know in Pittsburg. This attitude
is the outcome of feeling that has
been slowly making Roadway since
1892 when II. c.. Prick sent the armed
Pinkerton guards to drive the strik-
ing workmen off the company prem
Uses at Homestead.
Under common conditions worl ing
men develop common feelings with re-
spect TO some of the more fundamen-
tai questions of their lives. This is es-
pecially true in a crisis when minor
| differences are forgotten. 1t was true
in 1892 at Homestead, and it was so
again in February, 1908, when, with
the mills operating on barely one
| fourth time, the Carnegie Steel COM
pany cut from 10 to 80 per cent the
wages of men who were not during
those months earning enough to live
on. The lengthening of the working
day, the choking of democratic insti-
buttons and the coercive sway of the
employers have worked out more than
well organized industrial machine
| The flashes of indignation have died
away often, but each time the embers
have glowed little redder.
The steel worker sees on every side
evidence of an irresistible power. 1t
tells him what wages he may expect to
receive and where and when he must
work. If he protests he is ignored or
rebuked. If he talks it over with his
fellow workmen he is likely to be dis
charged. That the overwhelming ma
jority of St~l workers are bitter to-
ward their employers no one who has
mingled with them enough to catch
their spirit can deny.
Among the English speaking work
ers, from the standpoint of their atti-
tude toward their work, there are four
classes. In certain element among
them enthusiasm is forgotten. They
are the older men who have waited for
a revival of something like democracy
in western Pennsylvania. But "hOpe
deferred maketh the heart sick" The
years have done their work. These
men look dull eyed on world from
which the brightness is gone.
This group, while numerically strong,
is small compared with the whole body
of employees. Among the most there
exist varying kinds and degrees of
hopes.
A majority of the workmen feel that
it is only through their efforts and
that of the community together launch
ed against the opposing powers that
their industrial freedom is to be won.
There is still u firm belief on the part
of many that some day the mills will
be unioniZed. The argument is logical.
The situation is growing intolerable,
the workmen say; there is limit to
human endurance, and when that point
is reached the men will rise as one
organize and make their demands,
which then cannot. they hold, be safe
ly refused.
But years have gone by since union
ism was Overthrown. and every twelve
month has seen the control of the
employers grow more nearly absolute.
Under such conditions socialism is
making Roadway. This comes from a
turning away from a political organi-
cation that has invited the support of
workingmen, yet failed to interest it
self in any important legislation for
their benefit. If the workmen were
once convinced that there existed a
possibility of the election of the So
cialist candidates there would follow
more than landslide; it would be an
avalanche.
The last group l approach with hest
fancy, for many regard as sensational
any statement of fact that runs coun-
ter to their own experiences. There
Is Il group of wOrkmen in the steel
district whose social hope involves
physical resistance How widely they
NAV prevail I do not know, but it
seemed to me significant that some or
the most intelligent should hold the
view that the only way out of the sit
uation is through an appeal to force.
Some will deny the existence OF any
Injustice in the institutions of society
that may not be remedied by individ-
ual effort.
Those who defend existing condi-
lions in the steel mills also resort to
the high wage" theory. But men
are not recompensed according to the
degree of risk involved in their trades,
At best it is possible to determine a
class risk. not an individual one. and
the workman's problem is individual,
Rut were a man to consider himself
recompensed by high wages for long
hours and lack of touch with the
world and for extreme danger society
is not thereby recompensed. Thefe
must be time in the home for the dc
yelopment of sentiment not wholly
concerned with bread winning and FOR
the rearing of children strong in body
and mind.
There are three ways in which con-
ditions may be changed through OPP
position interposed by the workers
trade unionism, politics. revolution
Through either one or other OF these
there is bound to he revolution ere
long that shall have as its goal the
restoration of democracy to the steel
workers.
NJ lAtA