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 protection of the tailoring trade.

The result of his inquiries has not yet been learned.

* * * * *

A gentleman in Texas who has read about the sufferings of the strikers, and the poor wages they are able to earn, has written a long letter, advising them to go out to Texas, and start fruit farms for themselves.

He says the land is waiting for workers, and the labor required is light and pleasant.  He thinks it would be much better for the tailors to go where their labor would bring a good reward instead of starving miserably in cities.

This suggestion is much in the same line as one made by Dr. Senner, the Commissioner of Immigration at Ellis Island.

Dr. Senner does not think that the immigrants should be allowed to come here and settle down where they please.