The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-07-26
A LITTLE HISTORY REGARDING
GENERAL STRIKES.

The paralyzing strike that has been
in effect along the western coast since
in May and the general strike that was
called in San Francisco have been COM
manding the attention of the American
| people for some time. Fortunately the
general strike was called off before
much damage had resulted from it.
The decision to end the general strike
came probably from the conviction by
the labor leaders that it could not be
won
William Green, president of the
American Federation of Labor, advised
strongly against a general strike. He
and other students of labor problems
have stated a general strike rarely If
ever wins.
In view of these statements a little
perusal of strike history is interesting
at this time.
Back in 1926 a British general strike
was brought about by national lock-
out of coal miners and the refusal of a
Tory government to compromise. Three
million workers followed this action by
striking, including transport, docks,
printing, building, iron, steel, and chem
ical laborers Threatened by paralysis
of national economic life, the middle
class of England formed counter or
ganization. The courts declared the
strike Illegal The navy was employed,
one by one the unions deserted the
cause, and the strike was called off
after IL days.
The strikers met DISASTROUS defeat,
the miners were routed, but the rail-
road workers escaped in comparative
good order. 1t is said the government
suffered loss of two million dollars,
the national revenue 400 million, and
trade-union funds were badly cut into.
1t is said unemployment was greatly in
creased for months after the strike was
called off.
A Berlin general strike in 1920 was
successful Monarchists sympathizers
seized the German capital and the re-
publican government fled. In reply to
the coup, worknen rallied, every public
utility was closed down, nurses left
hospitals, stores put up their shutters.
Berlin was city Of the dead. In few
days the monarchists were forced to
leave the city and the republican gov
eminent returned and took charge of
affairs.
China had two-months general
strike in 1925, directed largely against
japanese and European employers in
Shanghai. In this case the general strike
was both economic and political, and
had the sympathy, to some extent, of
the nationalist party, which now con-
trolls the Chinese government at Nan
king.
There have been three general strikes
in Belgium. in 1893, 1902, and 1913. In
the latter year 400, 900 participated. Uni
versal suffrage was the goal fought
for. This was obtained after the World
war. The third Belgian strike was
called after 10 months Of careful prep
aration and lasted two weeks.
General strikes in Sweden and Cata-
lonia were called in 1909. 1t is said GO
per cent of all Swedish workers met
defeat on the question of lockouts. The
Swedish government kept railway men
at work by threats of loss of pensions.
Many Spanish laborites went into South
American exile after a six-day tie-up
program in Barcelona.
Lowering Of wages after the war
caused general strike in Seattle in
1918. The A. F. of L. opposed this af-
fair. Nearly $4,000 workers took part.
The strike lasted only five days. Street.
cars, schools, restaurants, theatres, and
newspapers suspended business in
sympathy with $4,000 shipyard laborers.
The trouble spread TO Tacoma and San
Francisco A citizens committee took
charge Of mediation and the strike
ended in disasterous draw by which
it is said both capital and labor suffered
severely.
A general strike can seldom win be-