consulting as to the terms of peace; but until they
arrive at some decision we must wait to know the fate of Greece.
* * * * *
The striking tailors have not gone back to work yet. Most of them have
been brave enough to stay out and resist the temptation offered them by
the masters to go back to work at the old terms.
A few, however, have been unable to bear the strain, and have gone back
at any wages rather than be idle and in want.
It is these weaker people that the strikers always fear. The success of
a strike depends on all having the courage to wait until their demands
are granted.
When the tailors found that some of their number were at work they were
very much enraged, and for the first time since the strike began became
riotous and unruly.
They formed committees to go the rounds of the various factories, and
see if any tailors were at work in them. Those who were found in the
shops were threatened, and ordered to leave off work at once.
The contractors got angry in their turn when their men were called out,
and many fights occurred, the police being kept busy arresting the
strikers and protecting the contractors.
When the feeling had grown very bitter on both sides, a contractor
appeared in the street where most of the tailors' shops are situated.
This particular man was much disliked by his workmen and the trade
generally. The moment he appeared in sight the anger of the mob broke
loose. Men and women attacked him savagely, beating him and throwing
stones at him. Fortunately for him, he happened to have a pistol with
him, and he was able to hold the crowd at bay until the police came to
his aid.
It is to be hoped that matters may be settled without further violence.
Thus far the sympathy has been altogether with the strikers, as the bad
pay and long hours of the tailors have been well known for a very long
time.
The attention of the Government has been directed to the present strike,
and Mr. Gage, the Secretary of the Treasury, sent a committee to inquire
into it.
He had been informed that the poor pay which tailors earn was due to the
fact that there were more workers than was necessary; and the trade was
over-crowded by Russians and Poles who are willing to work for
starvation wages.
Mr. Gage wished to find out whether too many Russian immigrants were
being allowed to enter the country, and whether he ought not to restrict
immigration for the protec
|