Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Assignment

From the perspective of an American living in 1911 who has been following the news of the Triangle Factory Fire and its aftermath in your daily paper, tell me your reaction to the events. What actions (if any) do you think should be taken?

I am bewildered and livid at the lack of concern and greed of Triangle Owners Max Blanck and Isaac Harris. If the pair had actually cared about their workers and working conditions, this fire would not have even occurred in the first place. As a result of this tragic event, we need actions that will safeguard the vulnerable and the oppressed. First, we should distribute weekly pensions, supervise and care for the young workers and children placed in institutions of various kinds, and secure work and proper living arrangements for the workers after they recuperate from their injuries. We should contact the Red Cross and ask to collect funds from the general public on its behalf. We must lead a campaign to investigate working conditions by collecting testimonies from Triangle workers. Also, we must demand that Triangle owners Blanck and Harris be brought to trial. Having those two men put in jail would definitely serve them right!

How do the events of the Triangle Factory Fire and its aftermath tie in with what we’ve learned about the Progressive Era thus far?

The events of the Triangle Factory Fire and its aftermath tie in with what we’ve learned about the Progressive Era. One of the main goals of the Progressive Era was to end abuses of power. In the immediate years following the Triangle Fire, a flurry of legislation perfected old laws and introduced new ones, which somewhat improved working conditions. A Factory Investigating Commission was created and conducted a series of New York hearings that resulted in the passage of important factory safety legislation. Also, labor and management in the garment trades cooperated in the ongoing work of the Joint Board of Sanitary Control to set and maintain standards of sanitation in the workplace after the fire. The International Ladies’ Garments Workers’ Union (ILGWU) organized a rally against the unsafe working conditions that led to the Triangle disaster. The ILGWU, in concert with others in the labor movement and other progressive organizations, began a long and difficult battle to achieve the right of safe, decent working conditions for workers.

Prompt Response

Unions had little success during the period 1871 - 1900 in improving both the economic and social position of U.S. workers. Major public relation problems, the lack of cooperation among different unions, and U.S. government support for big businesses were key reasons why unions had little success in enhancing wages and improving working conditions.

One reason unions didn't have a significant impact in improving economic position was that unions had major public relations problems. Violent strikes led by labor union workers aroused fear among the American public. The Haymarket Riot of 1886 in Chicago was one of the most violent incidents of labor unrest in the 19th century. As this clash was occurring, a bomb, allegedly set off by anarchists, exploded, killing both police officers and labor union workers. Widespread fear of unionism and other radical ideas influenced most of the public to support harsh treatment for the rioters. During the Homestead Strike of 1892, a violent strike erupted after Henry Clay Frick, a high-ranking Carnegie official, gave labor union workers a 22% wage decrease. Frick hired the Pinkerton National Detective Agency to end the strike, but the strikers assaulted the Pinkerton Agency. The strike and vehement riots continued until the American militia arrived about a week later. A third strike that negatively impacted public perception of the unions was the Pullman Strike of 1894. Four thousand Pullman Palace Car Company workers reacted violently to a 28% wage cut with a strike. Once again, American soldiers had to come to end the tumultuous strike.

Unions also had limited success because existing unions could not agree on goals and work together. The American Federation, AFL, and the Knights of Labor were two unions with conflicting opinions. The American Federation of Labor accepted only those with skilled labor and had "bread and butter" goals such as higher wages and shorter hours. On the other hand, the Knights of Labor had open membership, regardless of race, gender, or skill. Their goal was to make "every man his own master..." and had several other lofty, idealistic goals. Eventually, support for these unions evaporated with time.

In addition, the United States government favored policies toward big businesses rather than unions and made it difficult for unions to improve workers' positions. While reformers and union leaders lobbied Congress for laws to improve the lives of the working class, the Supreme Court limited the scope of such legislation by narrowly defining what jobs were dangerous and which workers needed protection. For example, in Holden v. Hardy (1856), the Court upheld a law regulating working hours of miners because overly long hours would increase the threat of energy. Finally, courts regularly denied workers the right to organize and bargain collectively on the grounds that wages should be individually negotiated between employee and employer.