JNF-The-Working-Class-Struggle-of-Half-a-Century

sinned against the Factory. Theirs was not to reason why. Their audacity
in inconveniencing the Factory, the mighty god of this Island; their
rudeness in doing anything but accept the terms and conditions of labour
prescribed by their absentee employers in London must be visited
with chastisement, not with whips but with scorpions…. The decree
went forth that the terms and conditions of reinstatement are that the
deduction of one penny in the shilling shall be increased to two pennies
in the shilling...
If now we represent the total reduction in wages in percent we
will place it at 33 and one-thirds, a reduction that amounts to exactly
one-third of their already very meager wages. But what was their sin,
that they have been so punished? Their actions interpreted, they told
their employers that there was no reduction in the price of bread, flour,
meal, rice, fish, clothing, house rent. They told them that last year the
factory profits amounted to over £50 000; that it was by the sweat of
their brow they should eat bread and that although they gave and were
giving already obedience to this Divine decree, by sweating and more
sweating, they were still underfed and partly naked and otherwise living
(no, not living, but existing) under conditions that were hellish, and so
were their innocent wives and children; that they desired the opportunity
to live like human beings...
The owners of the factory did not lose even a screw, a bolt or a
washer from their plant. There was no disorder. Police were at hand
to take care of the King’s Peace… All will be well that ends well. The
strikers have been reinstated and at a promise of reduction, because
they have sinned in asking to be allowed to work for bread. O, that
bread be so dear, and flesh and blood so cheap!
The Union Messenger could have dealt with the episode in no
other way. Its fondest hope had been shattered for the moment. Nor
could the situation be otherwise, for there was not yet any industrial
organisation for unfortunate workers to look towards, no facilities for
collective bargaining; no protective labour laws.
A Changing Scene
51