Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-03-02
Trades Unions.

A great depression of trade prevails eve
rywhere-on the European continent as well
as in the United States an universal de-
gree of attention is being given to the SUBJ
ject. Wide differences of opinion prevail as
to tac cause of this unfavorable condition of
business atfairs-each person s views doubt
less being biasscd by his immediate sur
roundings = and equally various are the
propositions for relief that are advanced
one tavoring protective tariff, another free
trade, a third an expansion of the currency,
but ali agreeing that an early resumption of
ing the desired result With other indus
trial classes, mechanics of all kinds have ex-
pcrlcDced the full effects of the stringent
times, and hence it is that in the cities they
should form societies for the ayowed pur
pose of maintaining high rate of wages,
and OF otherwise benefiting their members.
II Is aquestion, however, whether those labor
pro'ectlv associations accomplish the OBJ
Jtct for which they are organized in our
country. Certain is it that in Europe they
have failed in their anticipated effect. In
some bra lches of trade, business has either
been destroyed or driven elsewhere by the
harrassments which have resulted from the
rules, regulations or strikes of the Unions
This was the case with shipbuilding on the
Thames France is now filling the orders
that used to come to England. A few years
ago, England supplied locomotives TO France,
Germany, Austria, Holland, Brussels and
Spain now France, Germany. and Austria
not only supply most of the Continental de-
mani, but even send them to England and
India. Golfers dictate the price of Goals :;
and bad and dear bricks arc forced upon the
whole building trade by the br;ckmakers.
In 1928 seven weeks strike terminated
in species of work (Gros de Naples, which
then supplied 400 hand loom weavers, leav-
ing its district and driving it to Lancashire
In 1878 anarticle (jet cords) employing on
an average 500 looms, was driven away for
similar causes. Since that time the manu-
facture offgured broad silks was attempted,
but given up and driven to Middleton, Ian
III iooi q lduCy FtlHeC was
being carefully cultured, but shared a like
fate with the above mentioned, and is gone
to Germany. Other kinds of business have
suffered in the same way And now the
English capitalist, if he has too much diff
Guilty with his workmen, quietly transfers
his business to some other locality, to Scot
land. and if that will not do, TO Belgium, or
Switzerland. He becomes rich by this ope
ration, whilst the workmen become propor
tionately poorer. That the Trades Unions
are the natural offspring of the concentra-
tion OF capital, and the formation of great
monopolies OF various kinds, is not to be
denied; but the facts above mentioned are
too significant to be passed by without
thoughtful consideration on the part of
those who compose similar associations in
the United States, and it is to be hoped that
a course will be pursued which will tend to
harmonize. instead of brinsins iu.o oonhicU,
the interests of labor and capital. This is
the correct policy, and if adopted cannot fail
to benefit all concerned.