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past。 His civil and religious liberty makes him a free man； and his ballot
the peer of his betters。 And all this has tended to make him conscious；
conscious of himself； conscious of his class。 He looks about him and
questions that ancient law of development。 It is cruel and wrong； he is
beginning to declare。 It is an anachronism。 Let it be abolished。 Why
should there be one empty belly in all the world； when the work of ten
men can feed a hundred？ What if my brother be not so strong as I？ He has
not sinned。 Wherefore should he hunger… …he and his sinless little ones？
Away with the old law。 There is food and shelter for all； therefore let all
receive food and shelter。
As fast as labor has become conscious it has organized。 The ambition
of these class…conscious men is that the movement shall become general；
that all labor shall become conscious of itself and its class interests。 And
the day that witnesses the solidarity of labor； they triumphantly affirm；
will be a day when labor dominates the world。 This growing
consciousness has led to the organization of two movements； both separate
and distinct； but both converging toward a common goalone； the labor
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movement； known as Trade Unionism； the other； the political movement；
known as Socialism。 Both are grim and silent forces； unheralded and
virtually unknown to the general public save in moments of stress。 The
sleeping labor giant receives little notice from the capitalistic press； and
when he stirs uneasily； a column of surprise； indignation； and horror
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 Hors