Strikes and Rumors of Strikes
By L. E. F.
DESPITE the fact that this is the most prosperous period in American history, and wages were never higher nor as high, yet there were more strikes and lockouts in the United States during the first six months of 1916 than in the entire year of 1915. Authoritative statistics compiled by the government's Bureau of Labor show that between December 1 and June 1, 1,432 labor disputes were reported, while during the entire year of 1915, the number was 1,405. In the month of May alone, 496 strikes were started. On every hand, we see and hear of strikes and rumors of strikes. The conflict between capital and labor grows keener with the rapidly passing years. Hope of permanent and equitable adjustment seems as far away as ever. Even now there are prospective strikes of menacing proportions. Little do we know of the grave conditions that lie just before us. But this one thing we do know,—every word recorded in Sacred Scripture concerning these last days will meet its fulfillment. For many years, we have maintained that the strained relations between organized labor and consolidated capital will grow more intense. And the rumblings and mutterings of the industrial volcano are growing more frequent. They are becoming more violent and ominous. Some day, they will burst forth. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Some day, and that soon, there will be a fearful harvest. We base our belief upon these succinct, unequivocal statements of Holy Writ: "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the Judge standeth before the door." James 5: 1-9. Could language be more concise, yet explicit? "Rich men" in the "last days," with their "heaps" of gold! Then, the "hire of the laborers" "kept back by fraud"! And with what result?—"Miseries" that will cause men to "weep and howl." The comparatively severe industrial conflicts of to-day will reach their superlative degree before long. Let us not forget the admonition: "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. . . . Stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." Great wrongs will never be righted by the commission of greater ones. Violence is inconsistent and unbecoming for the Christian. Vengeance belongs to God. He will repay. This is the counsel we give. Let us live the Golden Rule. Let us stand unmoved amid the coming industrial conflict, with feet firmly planted on the immovable principles of the kingdom of Christ, unswayed by the surgings of human passion and hate. L. E. F.