The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-04-06

The EFouDleS Among the Iron. Hen.
{ From The Phts6tz0h Commercially Hetferdav.)
We regret to see that as yet no gem
eral arrangement has been effected be.
tween the manufacturers and the en-
ployees, by which our great workshops
can be put in operation. Surely there
must be some well grounded cause for
this, otherwise the vast amount OF cap
iial, machinery and skill would not be
lying idle as at present. As far as we
can learn from ourexchanges, the same
dullness prevails throughout all the
manufacturing districts ofthe country.
One point seems undoubted, that the
siderably less than Is offered to the
woTkmen West OF the mountains. We
are also satisfied that the staple manu-
features of our city are being sold much
below the published quotations, the de-
termination of our factors being, as at
all times, to meet competing markets,
and in doing this we must believe they
are sustaining losses. That the whole
community IS suffering in consequence
OF the present strike, there can be but
little doubt, as the amount which the
labor involved in it would have earned
since the stoppage cannot fall short
of two and a half millions OF dol
| AaA5- Ne bhNeu CdPLlaA Vi LAE
employed has been drawn upon proba-
| bly, to the extent of at least a million.
These are facts worthy, we think, OF
the consideration of every person, in all
departments of trade.
| We state the case thus: If the manu-
facturers are requiring the hands to
I work at less wages than are paid for
like labor in other districts throughout
the country, then they cannot shield
themselves from the conclusion that
they are in the wrong. Ii, on the other
\ hand, the workmen are demanding
more at the points with which our pro-
ducts must compete, then the workmen
are clearly wrong in their position, and
no thinking person will attempt to JUS
tify them. How is it2 Well, we have
before stated some facts as to this, and
now, after further investigation, we re-
Affirm them generally. The Brady's
Bend Iron Company has been running
all along and Is still in operation at
seven dollars per ton for pud-
ding. The Cambria Iron Works, at
Jamestown, also in operation, pays
considerably less than seven dollars.
Further east the price is no higher, and
in most cases lower than these rates.
Right at home here, this price is rscog-
nized as equitable, as one of the mills
in Pittsburgh, and one in Kittanning,
near by, have portion of their works
in operation at seven dollars for pnd-
ding, while three or four other estab-
lishments here are carrying on the
heating and rolling branches at rates
corresponding to the reduction pro
posed for pudding. Now these facts
being no longer in question, what is the
conclusion? We fear ii resolves itself
to this, that the great body of employees
now idle fare permitting themselves to
be led into an unjustitiable position by
"A few designing persons who are not
the greatest sufferers. Indeed we know
that many are anxious to be employed,
considering the rates offered as salts
| factory, but are hindered through fear,
or otherwise. This is wrong, amount
ing to n crime, and should not exist
longer.
The point we would desire to press
Is, that every workman, with his fami.
ly, is interested in the permanent pros
perity of our city; that this prosperity,
involving our supremacy as an iron
center, can only be sustained by such a
schedule OF wages as will furnish our
wares at such rates as will compete
with any other point in the country,
and that spirit OF compliance with this
principle will furnish steady employ
ment to all, ut prices CORES ponuent 10
any other manufacturing district.
We are satisfied that if the more
thoughtful of the workmen would con-
slider their true interests, they could
bring about satisfactory adjustment
l OF this most deplorable difference,