The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-02-25
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From tho Pittsburgh Commercial. nf
Ono Of tho most remarkable circhnl.
stances connected with the "harl timcs'
which we are now experiencing, Is the
fact that large and intelligent body Of
skilled workmen should voluntarily 70.
main idle rather than submit to a reduc-
ton upon wuges which prevailed during
tho flush times, whom prices were high,
demand active, and labor in.constant re-
quest. We know that trades unions are
slow to accept the statements OF those for
whom they labor, ia TO the necessity for
n reduction In wages, and they are per.
llaps juStilnble in striking until entirely
satisfied Of that necessity. Our iron man
iifacturcrs declared, as Individuals and IA
n body, TINT they could not continue to
pay to their workhlen tho high wages
Which had been paid in the past, except
ut q loss, and that q reduction was abso!
lulely necessary In order TO keep tile
mills running. Tho putldlers, having
we!l-organizcd association, resisted
the reduction, for reasons which
have already been given to the
public. They could see no Justice In
q reduction, and refused TO submit to Il.
They evidently believed the manufac.
turers were mt In earnest, and wOnld re-.
sumg work at tie old rates after brief
lockout. The strike was inaugurated
about the first Of December, now over
two months and u hall, mud the mAnaiac.
turers are as determined IA ever, simply
because they prefer to have their works
lie idle rather than operate them at d
loss, The plIdllerF, As All organization,
still hold out, and in .Lhis action they viz.
tually assert their, belief that the mill
owners will eventually come to their
terms. This is the logical inference from
their acts as body, but II is extremely
doubtful whether a tilhe Of them, as In.
diviiunlS, hope for any sucli solution Of
the difficulty. What amount Of evidence,
then, will satisfy tile puddlers Union
that the statements Of the mill owners
drc truthful, and tleir, demand for re.
ductiUn reasonably Willitfepuire two
and a half months more Of idlsneSs, with
the increasing want which Is sure 10 re-
suit2
The files Of tie Commercial show that
$j43,l 100 worth Of muCk.bar and scrap
iron have been brought to this city, since
the strike, to supply the limited number
OF mills which are now running on Spe-
cialtieS. This half million dollars worth
Of Iron should have been manufactured
here, aud the profits Of the labor shared by
the puddlCfs and theft helpers. All lhis
ia m absolute loss, because others have
pOcketcd the ptoceeds Of the labor. But
this Il a mere incident, large IA Ii L,
because, II there had been no prolonged
strike, the iron business would have
continued through the winter with but
a comparatively small diminution IN
value. "A II Il, not only have all
other mill hands been thrown idle, "a
we'll "a puddlers, but the trade Of Pitts.
hitEh Il being diverted to other cities.
Purchasers seek the cheapest markets
and our fnilliownets, Uithefftom ditect
Of Che mills Of from exotbitant
demands for labor, compelling indirect
suspension OF work, arc unable TO CON.
pete with manufacturers who do not on.
counter thcB difficulties, they cannot long
maintain their trade! To destroy tho su1
premaCy d Pittsburgh d an Iron maHu'
featuring centre would be' fatal To- her
prosperity A. city. There are now be- |
tween $1,000 aud 10000 &otkmon en-
ployed on iron and steel industries alone