Evening journal., 1919-09-29
"uNoRG,NIzED LABons VIEW. /"

xuYHLE Delaware Is not affected directly TO any ap
w preclable by the Gig steel strike. that sruss
will surely affect it indirectly and in many directions II
it be prolonged
It is important therefore that the people Of state
shall keep well posted relative TO the underlying excuses
for The strike Here editorial entitled "Unorganled
Labors View" from the New York Evening World that
should be Of interest TO everyone:
How could the great majority of wbrkers in the United
states be expected TO see justice in The present steel
organized labor as reckoned in the membership Of the
American Federation Of Labor represents at most less
han four per cent OF the couniry's population.
Even taking the high estimates Of The strike leaders,
the total number Of steel workers who have quit their
jobs is not much above 10000.
OF Tie than 100000 toiers OF ten years Of age
and upward who, e tells engaged In gain
fu occupations the United States how many have had
anything approaching the increases OF pay that have
come TO these warfayored steel employees in the last five
How many lbookkeepers clerks cashiers accountants
and workers in score Of other classes Of them
occupying positions OF trust and responsblltyhave had
their incomes increased i3i per cent. since 1915?
Yet i3i per cent IS the average increase Of wages in
the steel industry since the second year OF the
What must be The feeling OF clerical and other
workers whose Incomes have not doubled and more
than doubled 60 meet the rising cost Of living
whose standards of living have been forced merci-
lessly downward but who nevertheless have not struck
or sackened-wha must be their feelings when they see
a class Of earners TO whom war brought unprece-
denied bonuses and benefits using their advantage TO grab
for more power cost what may In loss Of national pro-
ductiveness7
For tnt is what this steel strike is prmarlya strike
for power
These steel strikers are no gasnt desperate men who
strike for living while their starving children cry
for bread They not pretend that they have not been
getting higher pay than they before OF
getting, Nor they deny that the country
more ready TO listen to their grievances and their claims
and TO demand permanent readusment OF their rela
lions with their employers.
The power they want-or rather the power their
leaders want is not The power Of impartial fairness and
Justice The settlement they look for is not the settle
ment they might expect from the industrial conference
only two weeks ahead for which they to walt
More important 10 their leaders than any pressure
which public opinion and authority might bring 10 bear
upon employers in The steel industry to establish new
basis Of dealing with their employees is am out and out
hght which shall. II possible, put the steel industry t.
self in The power OF those who direct The policies and
formulate the programs Of orsanzed labor
That, from the point OF view OF radical labor leaders
would be a master Stroke.
But what about the unorganized workers Of the
What is the outlook for them in a future in which
comparatively small favored groups OF organized
wage earners, pressing hard the advantages war has
Drought them striking forcing up their own wages
and sackening production shifting the consequent bur
dens OF high prices and depressed living 20
favored workers on whom the load falls hardestg
Are the executive councils Of organized labor with its
10000 or less to become powerful enough to decree
economic ruin for such other industrial sections OF the
sovereignty2
That is the question forced upon the Nation with yet
more ominous directness by the steel strike
Organized labor in the United States has won great and
deserved benefits for itself and for all labor
Ihat is no reason why it should now go mad and let
its leaders threaten TO throttle an industry unless they
can dsplace liberty and rule despots
That is 'sn editorial utterance that VIII appeal pro-
foundy 70 American lovers OF farplay matter whether
they reside within without the strike conyused dis
ircls
When employees who have received average wage in |
reases Of i3 cent since the second year Of the war
attempt TO Tie up The steel industry they strike blow
not only at their employers but also at the American
people at large