Half The Strikes Are Won By The Men Who Strike

By Samuel Gompers, President American Federation of Labor

This is a great age when every new development of steam or electricity adds to the wealth of the country. THE PEOPLE WHO STRIKE WANT A FAIR SHARE OF THE FRÜITS OF THEIR TOIL. I do not want any one to think, however, that I am an advocate of strikes, though they are often necessary and justifiable. I have yet to meet a man in the labor movement in all my experience in that movement, covering a third of a century, who is an advocate of strikes. Tbis, however, ís different from antagonism to or denunciation of strikes. Neither antagonism nor denunciation has ever stopped one strike.

FIFTY PER CENT OF THE 8TRIKES ARE ABSOLUTELY WON, AND IN 25 PER CENT OF THE STRIKES PART OF THE DEMANDS ARE GAINED.

Even when the strikes are lost it is a benefit to others, for employers will be more chary in forcing strikes.