The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-05-20
RANK and FILE
IN CAPITAL HAIL
GENERAL STRIKE
Veteran Recalls A. r. u.
Strike of '94
BY LAURENCE TODD,
Federated Press.

| WASHINGTON, May 1S.-American
labor is thrilled by the example set it
by the British workers general strike.
1t may not, for many years yet, fol-
low that example, but American labor
is glad that the British unions have
dared to try out their massed strength
and have found that they can stop the
industries of the mightiest power in
Europe when the ruling class attempts
to degrade the condition of the work
ing class. For the courage of the Brit
ish workers in blazing this trial Amer
lean labor is grateful 1t will not for
get, and 1t knows that American en-
ployers will not forget the proven fact
that the masses still have power over
the machines.
Talks With Scores.
That is the unofficial sincere, un-
edited opinion Of the conflict in Brit
ain which your correspondent has
gathered in talk with scores of work
ers in the capital-trade unionists
whose first anxiety is to say what
they think, and not to worry over how
they may be quoted.
The reaction among federal en-
ployes, shop workers, railroad men,
machine operators and streetcar mo-
tormen is pretty much alike-they say
that the British general strike has
proven that millions of intelligent
modern workers can quit their jobs
in concert, without serious disturb.
ance to their own lives, in order to
protect their standard of living. If
enough of them quit together, and
stand together for a constructive pro-
gram, any government will have to
listen and redress their grievances.
And they do not believe that Ameri.
can or British employers will ever
again be so arrogant toward organized
labor as they were before this walk
out.
Recalls '94.
ut is very much like the American
Railway Union strike of 1894" one
veteran railroad mechanic said. "That
strike was called hastily as sympa-
thetic strike on the railroads to aid
the Pullman shop strikes. 1t was
strike of goodwill and enthusiasm,
and on the far western roads it was
fought with an intensity that no later
strike has matched.
''The strike was last, and yet it put
the whole labor struggle in this eoun-
try on a new basis. The fear of God
was put into the hearts of employers,
and a lot of self-confidence was put
into every branch of the labor move
ment. Labor began to have CUTS when
it walked up to a lot of bosses.
This British walkout is going to
give more self-confidence to trade
unionists all over this continent, and
it is going to make the Judge Garys
watch their step"
Contrast to Officials.
These opinions are in contrast with
official statements from executives of
the American Federation of Labor and
various international unions, who as
sure the public and the employers that
American labor stands first of all for
the maintenance of wage contracts.
/ AuAh lnpAACu ACJCSLAOh VI bhS pO0of
bility of future sympathetic strikes is
in part due to the belief that Ameri-
can employers are far better organ
lied than is American labor, and that
labor must, in consequence, be very
inoffensive and placatory in its ap-
proach to all bosses. European labor,
confident of its strength, proclaims its
intention to nationalize industry and
remove the capitalist system.
American labor, aware Of its weak
ness, denies any ambition to become
master of the tools with which it pro-
duces the wealth of American indus
try. That is. official American labor
denies ambition for mastery. Indi-
vidual American workers, free of the
cares of office, throw up their hats for
the advantage the British strike has