Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1877-08-23
arHRRE MILLIONS or IDLE MEN,

s
- %Eak - ea -
Three millions of men out of work.
What an announcement Add 10
this number say eve millions more
who are dependent for support, and
we have these startling figures, 81
600. 900 persons calling for help. Is
1t any wonder that the labor ques-
ton Is being pushed steadily and
boldly to the front =? That it is de-
manding consideration and investi-
cation, and is daily assuming more
importance Mleness, poverty and
failures, bank ruptcy and crime
spread over our fair country, and
there does not seem TO be any one
capable Of devising ways and means
of bringing about % better state of
affairs. Strong and brave men wear
out their hearts as they see wives
and children In want, and after
months Of vain searching for EN-.
p.oyment, too often are tempted to
crime or maddened to suicide.
Yet this great land is broad
enough for all, and millions Of acres
which will yield a sure subsistence
to patient workers lie waiting for
any man to till them. Our cities
are overcrowded. While the rural
districts have been neglected. .and
we may say measurably despised, the
towns have overfowed until the
supply of labor far exceeds the de-
mapd., Notwithstanding the con-
tinaaI warnings given through, the
newspapers and i'm other forms, !
there is a continual rush into the
cities Some come because they
think city life is easier than country
life, and should they fail to- obtain
employment the Dorcas organiza-
tion will not let them want, and
thus they crowd and crush each
other fighting desperately for the
work which is not enough for all
and wasting no small share Of the in
dustrial force and productive power,
which, rightly distributed. would
add TO the nations prosperity.
Beyond all doubts this overcrowd-
ing OF civic employments, this dis
massing Of the popu-
laSton I'm places where hundreds of
thousands must struggle In vain fer
work, has been an important cause
OF recent prolonged disasters. Com
petition in any business is an excel
lent incentive, but competition Of
ten ruins business. It works in
two ways; it stimulates production
and consumption, but it also re-
duces profits, often below the point
of safety, and then come long cred
it's, losses and failures. The best |
stste OF society is that I'm which all I,
can be employed with fair remu-
neration. Extreme low prices either
for labor or goods haze no perma-
nent advantage. UnquestioDably a
large part OF the present difficulties
Of the country are the result OF over
stimulated labor. During the war
many new industries were started,
the demand for labor was great,
high wages were paid, not only for
skilled labor but to inferior mechan-
les; men were induced to leave their |
rural homes and crowc into towns !
and cities where these industries |
were calling fer them. And this |
industry, this abnormal
growth of labor was carried through |
out every department. of business. |
1t was fictitious, feverish and un-
healthy. All men could see plainly |
that the demand for iron could not |
always last, aud that gun and cart
ridge factories must eventually be
shut up, but they could not see that
boot and shoes, clothing, and all |
the ordinary trades would be affect
ed as well: that there would be a
demand for sewing ma
chimes as well as for diamonds, for
food as well as for luxurieS.
But the fact that there are three
millions of persons out of employ