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suffices。
It is only now and then； after long periods of silence； that the labor
movement puts in its claim for notice。 All is quiet。 The kind old world
spins on； and the bourgeois masters clip their coupons in smug
complacency。 But the grim and silent forces are at work。
Suddenly； like a clap of thunder from a clear sky； comes a disruption
of industry。 From ocean to ocean the wheels of a great chain of railroads
cease to run。 A quarter of a million miners throw down pick and shovel
and outrage the sun with their pale； bleached faces。 The street railways of
a swarming metropolis stand idle； or the rumble of machinery in vast
manufactories dies away to silence。 There is alarm and panic。 Arson and
homicide stalk forth。 There is a cry in the night； and quick anger and
sudden death。 Peaceful cities are affrighted by the crack of rifles and the
snarl of machine…guns； and the hearts of the shuddering are shaken by the
roar of dynamite。 There is hurrying and skurrying。 The wires are kept hot
between the centre of government and the seat of trouble。 The chiefs of
state ponder gravely and advise； and governors of states implore。 There is
assembling of militia and massing of troops； and the streets resound to the
tramp of armed men。 There are separate and joint conferences between the
captains of industry and the captains of labor。 And then； finally； all is quiet
again； and the memory of it is like the memory of a bad dream。
But these strikes become olympiads； things to date from； and common
on the lips of men become such phrases as 〃The Great Dock Strike；〃 〃The
Great Coal Strike；〃 〃The Great Railroad Strike。〃 Never before did labor do
these things。 After the Great Plague in England； labor； finding itself in
demand and innocently obeying the economic law； asked higher wages。
But the masters set a maximum wage； restrained workingmen from
moving about from place to place； refused to tolerate idlers； and by most
barbarous legal methods punished those who disobeyed。 But labor is
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War of the Classes
accorded greater respect today。 Such a policy； put into effect in this the
first decade of the twentieth century； would sweep the masters from their
seats in one mighty crash。 And the masters know it and are respectful。
A fair instance of the growing solidarity of labor is afforded by an
unimportant recent strike in San Francisco。 The restaurant cooks and
waiters were completely unorganized； working at any and all hours for
whatever wages they could get。 A representative of the American
Federation of Labor went among them and organized them。 Within a few
weeks nearly two thousand men were enrolled； and they had five thousand
dollars on deposit。 Then they put in their demand for increased wages and
shorter hours。 Forthwith their employers organized。 The demand was
denied； and the Cooks' and Waiters' Union walked out。
All organized employers stood back of the restaurant owners； in
sympathy with them and willing to aid them if they dared。 And at the back
of the Cooks' and Waiters' Union stood the organized labor of the city；
40；000 strong。 If a business man was caught patronizing an 〃unfair〃
restaurant； he was boycotted； if a union man was caught； he was fined
heavily by his union or expelled。 The oyster companies and the slaughter
houses made an attempt to refuse to sell oysters and meat to union
restaurants。 The Butchers and Meat Cutters； and the Teamsters； in
retaliation； refused to work for or to deliver to non…union restaurants。
Upon this the oyster companies and slaughter houses acknowledged
themselves beaten and peace reigned。 But the Restaurant Bakers in non…
union places were ordered out； and the Bakery Wagon Drivers declined to
deliver to unfair houses。
Every American Federation of Labor union in the city was prepared to
strike； and waited only the word。 And behind all； a handful of men； known
as the Labor Council； directed the fight。 One by one； blow upon blow； they
were able if they deemed it necessary to call out the unionsthe Laundry
Workers； who do the washing； the Hackmen； who haul men to and from
restaurants； the Butchers； Meat Cutters； and Teamsters； and the Milkers；
Milk Drivers； and Chicken Pickers； and after that； in pure sympathy； the
Retail Clerks； the Horse Shoers； the Gas and Electrical Fixture Hangers；
the Metal Roofers； the Blacksmiths； the Blacksmiths' Helpers； the
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War of the Classes
Stablemen； the Machinists； the Brewers； the Coast Seamen； the Varnishers
and Polishers； the Confectioners； the Upholsterers； the Paper Hangers and
Fresco Painters； the Drug Clerks； the Fitters and Helpers； the Metal
Workers； the Boiler Makers and Iron Ship Builders； the Assistant
Undertakers； the Carriage and Wagon Workers； and so on down the
lengthy list of organizations。
For； over all these trades； over all these thousands of men； is the Labor
Council。 When it speaks its voice is heard； and when it orders it is obeyed。
But it； in turn； is dominated by the National Labor Council； with which it
is constantly in touch。 In this wholly unimportant little local strike it is of
interest to note the stands taken by the different sides。 The legal
representative and official mouthpiece of the Employers' Association said：
〃This organization is formed for defensive purposes； and it may be driven
to take offensive steps； and if so； will be strong enough to follow them up。
Labor cannot be allowed to dictate to capital and say how business shall
be conducted。 There is no objection to the formation of unions and trades
councils； but membership must not be compulsory。 It is repugnant to the
American idea of liberty and cannot be tolerated。〃
On the other hand； the president of the Team Drivers' Union said： 〃The
employers of labor in this city are generally against the trade…union
movement and there seems to be a concerted effort on their part to check
the progress of organized labor。 Such action as has been taken by them in
sympathy with the present labor troubles may； if continued； lead to a
serious conflict； the outcome of which might be most calamitous for the
business and industrial interests of San Francisco。〃
And the secretary of the United Brewery Workmen： 〃I regard a
sympathetic strike as the last weapon which organized labor should use in
its defence。 When； however； associations of employers band together to
defeat organized labor； or one of its branches； then we should not and will
not hesitate ourselves to employ the same instrument in retaliation。〃
Thus； in a little corner of the world； is exemplified the growing
solidarity of labor。 The organization of labor has not only kept pace with
the organization of industry； but it has gained upon it。 In one winter； in the
anthracite coal region； 160；000；000 in mines and 600；000；000 in
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transportation and distribution consolidated its ownership and control。 And
at once； arrayed as solidly on the other side； were the 150；000 anthracite
miners。 The bituminous mines； however； were not consolidated； yet the
250；000 men employed therein were already combined。 And not only that；
but they were also combined with the anthracite miners； these 400；000
men being under the control and direction of one supreme labor council。
And in this and the other great councils are to be found captains of labor
of splendid abilities； who； in understanding of economic and industrial
conditions； are undeniably the equals of their opponents； the captains of
industry。
The United States is honeycombed with labor organizations。 And the
big federations which these go to compose agg