Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-14
Rejoicing Over Defeat.

Throughout the anthracite region
there is public rejoicing over the end Of
the strike. When the word came that
an agreement had been signed at Phila-
delphia between miners and operators.
the church bells We're rung, i'm
promptu parades We're started ana
men and women danced in the snow.
Happiness was universal The peo-
pile could not have been more eNuber-
ant if tidings of great national
victory in war had been received.
This jubilation, however. was not
ever a victory. 1t was inspired by. a
feeling of relief that the priVation
which they have been enduring was
to end. They were rejoicing, not over
any triumph, but over their rescue
from suffering. Perhaps in a vague
way they felt that they had won some
thing out of the strike. Possibly their
leaders had assured them that what
ever the terms of settlement they
would gain some advantage. But in
their swift reaction they were CON
scious of only the passing of the men
ace against their physical welfare.
Perhaps today the miners who yes
terday shouted and paraded and sang
in rejoicing over the end of the strike
are reckoning up their gains and
losses from the long suspension of
work Those who can read. and I'M
derstand what they read, can find lit
tie gair if any in the settlement.
Those who cannot read, aud there are
many such in the anthracite region,
will take their understanding of the
settlement agreement from others.
and if their informants are honest
and truthful they will get little com
fort from the.recital.
Nearly half a year of idleness, when
steady work could have been had.
Wages amounting to $17O,O00,0 200 lost
and savings spent. No glory. no
gain. nothing but anxiety and hunger
and concern for their families to show
for the unwise leadership which they
have followed SO faithfully during
these many weeks.
1t may be that there Will be reck.
ouing of responsibility for this loss.
If the miners realize that they have
suffered an almost total defeat in con
sequence of the stubborn refusal Of
their representatives. 10 adjust differ
enCes on "a reasonable basis they may
demand a reckoning. They may ask
for reorganization. They have spent
their all in futile fight into which
they We're ordered, and they have a
right now to require an account of
stewardship.
In this fight that has just ended
with the defeat of the miners there
was no vital principle at stake. The
"closed shop was not an issue. The
only material question involved was
the manner in which wage adjust
ments should be effected, and whether
The contract should terminate at a
fixed period or should be renewable,
with the terms of renewal TO be de-
termined by arbitration. The miners
themselves did not wish to have the
check-off principle established. They
have never wanted that. The check
off is the device of the union officials.
who wish to keep the ranks filled on
n paying basis with the company act
ing as collector of dues.
So the strike ends. with rejoicing
throughout the hard coal fields and
with d sad reckoning of costs mount
ing into the hundreds of millions. with
the miners and their families paying
the greater part and getting the least
in return.