A dispatch from Wilkesbarre, Pa., relative to the strike of the stationary firemen says:
More mines were in operation and more coal was hoisted in the Wyoming valley today than any day since the stationary fireman’s strike began. Despite any action that may be taken by the officers of the United Mine Workers’ association, the fact cannot be denied but that the United Workmen as a body are anxious to get back to work. How long they can be kept out by the executive heads is entirely problematical.
History is repeating itself in the matter of union dictation to men who would work if they were not interfered with.
Debs On the Steel Strike.
Eugene V. Debs in a speech at the Kankakee, Ill., Chautauqua last Saturday had this to say on the question of the steel strike:
“There is no use for the Federation of Labor to bluff, for it simply injures the cause of labor with the American people. The Federation has not two million members. It has not half that number. When it says it can raise $500,000 a week, it is simply bluster and blow. It cannot raise $5,000 a week. I have had experience in raising money for strikers. It is not thus that strikes are settled.”
Eugene ought to know what a strike bluff is and seems to speak honestly this time.