The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-01-29

through the gates or hoist up to the
windows.
There is no liquor for anyone.
For, while there is no objection to
the strikers having a good time
during their siege, the objective is
too precious to risk what even one
lone striker might do if he were
mot himself.
Discipline in some plants APP
proaches military standards. The
rules, self-imposed, are rigidly
obeyed; the few attractions are pun
ished swiftly and severely. The old
fraternity house method is used in
the majority of cases; the non-con-
formist is made to assume the an
gle'' over a table or box, after
which his fellows vigorously apply
barrel slaves upon the strategic
spot. The offense is seldom repeat
ed.
The orderly conduct of the strik-
ers is aptly illustrated by one plant.
Men DO Own Washings.
A bugle call arouses the men from
their slumbers at a. m. Some take
advantage of the shower baths pro-
vided in the plant; everybody
washes well, behind the ears and
all. Forty-fve minutes later in the
company cafeteria the breakfast
sent in by the women folks is served
fruit, cereal, milk, coffee, rolls
and doughnuts. For lunch there will
be stew, dessert and coffee. At
night meat, potatoes, vegetables,
coffee and dessert.
When they have finished break
fast, the men patrol their assign
ments. The plant is kept almost as
clean as it is when there is no
strike on. They do their own laun-
dry in some cases; the conveyor
lines resemble back yards on wash
day. Some of the men, of course,
send their laundry home.
Time is not allowed to drag. When
the work is done the strikers may,
if they wish, attend classes which
are conducted under the auspices
of the union officials. Here they
may be instructed in public speak
ing, economics, physical culture
and, to be sure, labor problems.
Propaganda With Entertainment.
There are generally two i'm
portant meetings every day. The
strikers executive com m t t
meets and discusses the progress
of the movement at noon; later on
there is general meeting at which
all the strikers are advised as to
what is going on.
After dinner at night there is in
variably community entertainment,
such as might be found in boys
camp. Radios provide music for
community singing part of the time.
In addition, a not-haf-bad orches-
ira can usually be rounded up from
the ranks of the strikers.
In the regular employees meet
ings and parties" when there is no
strike on, the company seldom fails
to include propaganda designed to
promote happier relations between
employer and employee. And in the
parties of the strikers there is plen-
ty of propaganda supplied by the
leaders to keep up enthusiasm for
the strike. Mixed in with the
''swing" music and hill-billy songs
is an occasional paraphrase of a
familiar ballad-a new lyric re-
minding the strikers of the advan-
tages to be gained if they will con-
tinue to be persistently patient.
Perhaps the importance of the sit
down strike as weapon of labor
depends upon the very discipline
which has been developed and main
tanned. It is not hard to see that
an idle mob, banded constantly to-
gether for days, might get out of
hand, act rashly and by some act
of violence defeat its own ends.
o Western Newspaper Union.
- ss---. ei--->-- - -