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Editorial
June 11, 1887
Wichita Eagle
Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas
What is this article about?
Editorial criticizes labor union strikes as harmful to workers and community, arguing they are a luxury only affordable to higher-paid men (2-5 dollars/day), not low-wage earners (80 cents/day).
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
ABOUT STRIKERS.
Those who are opposed to "strikes" by labor unions are constantly parading before the public the fact that the men who are engaged in these strikes are the very men who are getting the best wages. We do not believe that one strike in a hundred ever benefited the laboring people. On the contrary they usually do great injury not only to the men engaged in them, but to the entire community. We are bound to confess, however, that if we are to have strikes the men who are making from two to five dollars per day ought to do the striking.
"A strike" is a luxury which the man who is earning eighty cents a day cannot afford to enjoy. The man who earns, say two dollars and a half per day, can, by husbanding his resources engage in a strike once a year and be able to extract a large amount of enjoyment from shutting down some important enterprise in his town and throwing brick bats at the "scabs" who attempt to work in his place. But to ask a man who is only getting eighty cents a day, to engage in such a proceeding, is something which shows the unreasonableness of a cold uncharitable world.
Those who are opposed to "strikes" by labor unions are constantly parading before the public the fact that the men who are engaged in these strikes are the very men who are getting the best wages. We do not believe that one strike in a hundred ever benefited the laboring people. On the contrary they usually do great injury not only to the men engaged in them, but to the entire community. We are bound to confess, however, that if we are to have strikes the men who are making from two to five dollars per day ought to do the striking.
"A strike" is a luxury which the man who is earning eighty cents a day cannot afford to enjoy. The man who earns, say two dollars and a half per day, can, by husbanding his resources engage in a strike once a year and be able to extract a large amount of enjoyment from shutting down some important enterprise in his town and throwing brick bats at the "scabs" who attempt to work in his place. But to ask a man who is only getting eighty cents a day, to engage in such a proceeding, is something which shows the unreasonableness of a cold uncharitable world.
What sub-type of article is it?
Labor
What keywords are associated?
Labor Strikes
Union Opposition
Wages
Working Conditions
Economic Impact
What entities or persons were involved?
Labor Unions
Strikers
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Opposition To Labor Strikes
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Strikes, Ironic Defense Of Higher Wage Strikers
Key Figures
Labor Unions
Strikers
Key Arguments
Strikes Rarely Benefit Laborers And Often Harm The Community
Only Well Paid Workers (2 5 Dollars/Day) Can Afford To Strike
Low Wage Workers (80 Cents/Day) Cannot Afford Strikes
Strikes Are A 'Luxury' For Higher Earners