Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-06-20
PHILADELPHIA.


Special Correspondence of the Appeal
PHILADELPHIA, June 1.-THE stoppage
of 120 large rolling mills throughout the
| West is the chief tepic of conversation in
| iron circles.
The manufacturers are animated with a
desire to crush out the formidable organiza-
ton of labor known as the Amalgamated
Association. II had its origin thirty years
| ago in Pittsburg, when four puddlers met to
devise how they could increase their wages
To day they number $4,000, and control
$3.50, 100000 worth of rolliDg-mill property
| almost absolutely as though they owned l..
What will be the outcome, is asked on
every side. A grand convention of manu-
facturers has been held.
They will fight union men and unionism
to the bitter end. The clouds in the labor
sky are ominous. Capital has taken stand,
and some one must give way.
The Eastern iron manufacturers expect to
profit by the strike in filling orders which
cannot be filed in the West. Inquiries are
already rushing in, but prices have not ad-
vanced.
Agents of Western mills are securing the
country for workmen, offering money induce
ments. Bsr-iron sells at two and six-tenths,
nails at So 40, steel rails at S4S@50, crude
foundry iron at S26, forge at S22.
The Schuylkill and Lehigh Valley furnaces
are all in blast.
The coal mines are turning out 600 600
tons of coal per week when not restricted.
Labor is organizing to strike on an extended
scale, as the iron workers are doing.
Eventually there will be one general strike
of labor all over the country--iron workers,
coal miners, furnace men, machinists, engin-
GERS and house builders.
This is no wild assertion; already it is
cropping out. The laborers are ,ining
knowledge, confidence and discipline.
They feel they are not paid the full value
OF their services, and are bent on organizing
one grand national crusade against capital.
Capital may as we'll be prepared. 1t is
nice thing to pirate about the harmony of
labor and capital.
The other day $4,000 mad workmen met
in Cooper destitute and uttered threats
which the newspapers were afraid to pub
lish. This is a cloud in the horizon no larger
than a mans hand.
The Knights of Labor are a powerful
organization, and they believe it 10 be their
destiny TO reorganizs the national govern
ment on a broader basis than that on which
it now rests They believe the present indus
trial and commercial system cannot endure;
that broader and better system must take
their place, in which the elevation Of human
ity will be thought Of first, the making OF
money next.
PhiladeIphia's 5000 workshops, mills and
factories are crowded with 100000 working
men-women, girls aud boys-creating $780,
100000 worth of wealth per year.
The Baldwins are turning out locomo-
tive every six hours. The steel mills are
turning out steel more rapidly than ever
before. The car works are ruuning night
and day. The merchants are getting up
grand bi.centennial to attract the people
from all parts of the United States, as they
did six years ago.
The city is expanding on all sidep. Two
hundred acres along the Delaware river are
being covered with ware houses and railroad
tracks to enable interior grain dealers and
shippers to export more cheaply, if possible,
from here than from New York.
There is a battle Tor commercial suprem-
acy between Philadelphia aud New York
that will not be settled soon. The ship
yards are overcrowded with ships, schooners
and tugs in various stages OF completion
The prosperity of the great interior of
America is IT hected in the prosperity OF the
seabosrd cities.
The coai-miners' strikes are being stub
borulY fought, but capital holds firm grip
and will not let go.
The Pennsy lvania miners are furnishing
coal that was dug here SO far by the Mary
land mineis. One class is hired to whip the
other. So il is in war. Capital divides and
conquers. This is an old adage, but true
one.
New pipes are heading for the seaboard at
the rate of mile day.
The new gushers in the oil fields. are keep
ing up panic among the SPECTATORS. The
mighty Standard is scratching its big head,
but is putting its uncounted millions in roll
ing mills, mineral lands and other perma-
nent investments.
We are entering stirring times. Labor is
putting on airs, and capital is getting a rod
in pickle. The banks full OF capital, ii
figures mean anything, and the railroad
builders are preparing Tor another squirt Of
activity.
Wages must come down is the fat of the
demigods that engineer affairs.
Politically, Philadelphia is in the throes
of revolution. Rings and ringsters must
die!" shout one side. "Stalwartism foreverp
shout back the other.
We are to have an electric railroad in
Paramount Park, like the Berlin road. A
company is forming 10 run locomotives and
stationary engines with stowed electricity,
but the world is full of doubters. So it was
in Morris's time.
Gigantic undertakings are brewing. There
are poolings of millions going on, and
big moves will be heard CT before the au-
tumn leaves rustic under foos D.