Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-02-10

l. EURSDAY EV EN1NG,
For this reason interest in strikes is
not quite so one-sided as was the case
a few years ago. Public sympathy is
usually with the under dog, but the
under dog turns out to be the con-
sumner quite as often as the wage
Garner.
! For instance, the proposition to
largely increase the wage scale of
the miners in the anthracite coal
field is receiving the careful con-
sideration of consumers of coal
throughout the country. These have
been given warning that any increase
in the scale will mean an increase
in the price OF coal to every con-
sumer large and small. So it is that
the contest is not entirely one between
the coal operators and their en-
ployes. 1t goes into every home
where anthracite coal is used as fuel.
An interesting incident of the pro-
posed change in the scale-the de-
mand for a twenty per cent. increase
in wages, an eight-hour day and
recognition of the United Mine Work
ers - is an attack upon the organ
ization and the methods pursued, by
Thomas i. Lewis, former interna-
| tional president of the United Mine
Workers. This attack appears in a
magazine published by Lewis, who de-
clares that the miners organization
is in a more demoralized condition to-
day than at any time during the last
fifteen years. lie says:
To collect and spend millions
or dollars in industrial con-
fltct seems to be a fad with the
leaders of the union. The mem
bership pays the expense, and has
to earn it by hard work. 1t will not
always continue. A fifty thousand
deficit in the publication of the of
fetal journal was treated with lit
tie concern.
1t must be remembered that there
are two sides to every question,
and 1t is not always the unwilling
ness, but the inability of the en-
ployer to concede the demands of
the employees and remain in busi-
ness. Any person can demand
thing; but it takes men of intelli-
gence. with a thorough knowledge
of the difference between the cost
and the selling price of a COM
modify, to prove that any demand
duct can succeed.
In the coal mining industry the cost
of producing a ton of coal and the
price at which it is sold will be the
determining factors in negotiating a
wage contract.
That the labor leaders are making
a more careful study of the funda-
mo a1e
pecially as these affect the relations
of employer and employe, is demon
strated every day in the discussion of
the great problems which concern the
wage earners of the country. The
tendency of the organizations of labor
is to avoid strikes and the other dis
turbing factors which initiate against
those Immediately concerned and the
larger third party represented by the
average consumer,
AS illustrating the more reasonable
attitude we quote from Progress
a magazine issued by the relief and
compensation board of railroad broth
erhoods with headquarters in this
city. Discussing Judge Gary's pre-
diction that the producers of this
country, including the wage earners,
would find themselves in commercial
antagonism with the most persistent
and difficult competition unless this
shall be prevented by laws that are
reasonable and sufficient, the maga-
zine in question says:
Certainly there is need of the
most searching examination of our
tariff schedules and consequent ac-
tion greatly resembling a measure
of defensive warfare: Special rea-
sons exist why the whole system OF
American tariffs should be over
hauled by scientific experts, by a
commission intent upon establish
ing a line of justice and fairness
between the producer and the con-
Sumer."
Thus it is in every department of
labor and industry, the mutuality of
the relationship between employer
and employe being emphasized more
and more as it is better understood
how closely and intimately related
are the interests of each in the well
fare of the other.
Strikes are no longer promoted by
level-headed leaders of labor organ
izations, save as a last resort. They
realize that the better plan is arbitra-
tion of all questions at issue to the
end that there may be no cessation of
employment and resulting loss to all
affected by the temporary suspension.
1t is a favorable sign of the times
that the big stick is less in evidence
in all dealings between capital and
labor.