The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-26

Ilence can be prevented only BY rei
moving the causes OF violence; indt1eS
trial peace can rest only upon indus4
trial Justice.
& The origin Of violence In con]
nection with Industrial disputes cal|
usually De traced ITO The condition1
iprevaii'ng IN the particular industry
IN times Of peace. or to arbitrary acj
ton on the part OF governmental ofl1
Gals which infringes on what arr
conceived TO be funda nnental rigfltaI
Violence and disorder during actual
loutbreaks usually result from oppres{
sive conditions that have obtained III
q particular shop or factory or In :
particular industry. Throuehout hisI
tory where people or a group hav{
been arbitrarily denied rights which
they conceived to be theirs. reactioyI
has been inevitable. violence is
natural form of protest against iniusI
itice.
5. Violence IN industrial disputes q
not immediately the product OF indusy
trial conditions, but of the attitude 81
the parties to the dispute after erievy
ances or demands have been pref
scented. The principal sources Of Al
attitude leading to violence are:
(a) Arrogance on the part Of thu
stronger party. This may result im(
IuGutdtety HI NiOfcHCC tthOo8A WV -
of force for the suppression Of thy
weaker party. The force used MAJ
be physical or Industrial Physica,
force may be and Is used by boil
employers and employees, through I'M
Itimidation, assaults or attacks o.
property. Such physical aggression u
seldom used by employees. as they arr
strategically the weaker party. ana
the results are negative: only undeI
exceptional circumstances can an emf
ployer be coerced by the use OF forcS
or intimidation. The exceptions seen1
TO lie in the use OF. secret means. suc !
as dynamite. with the object Of weak
ening the employers resistance.
The use OF force by workers ID mort
mally directed. not against the perscl
or property of the employer, bud
against ke-breakers and suardsI
Many instances OF the use OF physi}
cal force by the agents Of empioyerA
have. however. come before the conn
mission. indicating a relatively wild
use. particularly In isolated commu5
mites Such acts of violence usuaiIz
take the form of assaults upon thu
leaders of the workers or upon orr
gamers
The instruments Of industrial forcI
belong chiefly to the employer becAusf
OF his control OF the Job of the work.
er. Their use Is more common an%
more effective than any other form d
violence at the command Of the emI
ployer. The most powerful weapo(
is the power OF discharge. which mad
be used Unfortunately upon merl
suspicion. which under certain condiI
tons may be almost a. potent, eitheI
in use or threat. as the power Of lifl
and death. 1t In the avowed police
OF many employers to discharge AMI
man who gives any sign OF diszatisi
faction on the theory that he NAL
become a trouble-maker or aEitatof|
The only corresponding weapon 4
the hands OF the workers La sabotags
In the form either OF malicious de-
struction OF property or of interfesI
ence with production. The field OF III
use il much more restricted In pracI
! tice than in theory and its results q
best are negative and produce in thu
employer only blind resentment and
lundiscriminating hate. Sabotage ~
policy shows no signs of developing
/ in American industry.
tb) Equally productive of an attI
| tude leading to violence Is the denia|
of the use of peaceful methods OF ADJ
/ justing grievances or the creation o,
a situation in which their use hecomeI
| impossible.
On the part of the employer TIL
arbitrary acts which may be classe
under this general head are:
! Denial OF the right to organize.