The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-05-25
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,5:;.,,, contest impending.

Present. Indications l'o''t w >~.'
- oortipary proportions between the irol
'n,U"ta%,nTsss nUu' aud the amalsamated asso
ua' a;.,ion Of iron and steel workers. Thu
s~n ,'.'n n ,his struggle It would be useless tt
ls"s lSa,,,, % ,o predict. The minds of bott
@, .I," soom to be made mp. They have OK
s,,," s,.".p,l ul,imatums, and MS in cases OF M
,ion. t''r' baye rsor,ed to 'thc last argument
:" IIJJj Iins," w. Which is the gage Of battle
u nu, @ mike the wars Of nations, it is to be,
,'a ,'s' ,ru.t, y tloodless battle, and, ms we
%oro va can further say, one not TO be
,"e a"Sn characterized by bad.blood in
s,," e"y D,nicuar 50 iar ali tho de-
ia" tails h,ru progressed as such dii.
1 I.,rncs should progress, on a well recog.
n;,J sriect right to differ with each
o,r., & The two sides are wide apart in
,Lcit views, and these views have been
y,en to the public by the press. Tho man
racturrr, claim ,liat they cannot afford 10
nav the wages demanded, and the Amalga-
nation Association claim that their do
nauds are nothing more than fair. Both
sides have agreed that their dilleren-
c,s are uncomfortable, and that nothing
remains but to leave the result to the
wear am! tear OF m actual test OF endurance.
To say that this issue, thus joined, is n
matter greatly to be regretted is 10 express
the situation quite moderately. indeed. It
NAV be necessity, but it is one that prom
ises to be OF great moment to the commu-
mites directly and deeply interested, one Of
which We are. 1t means the drying up Of
4 great flow OF money in our channels OF
,rale-money that will be lost to this COM
munty not fora week or Il month, but for
ever. It means the consuming OF the ac-
cumalations and savings Of the past, rs
well rs the loss OF current earnings to both
sides in the shape Of profits and wages. 1t
does not mean 4 local contest, but one oi
widespread extent, embracing all the prin.
cipal iron industries west OF the mountains.
0icoune tie cloud that lowers upon US
just at this time has, like almost all clouds,
its tingc OF silver lining. The business ol
the country may possibly require this sort
Of an electrical disturbance to clear up the
atmosphere and impart healthier and
more decided tone TO trade. There arc
those who contend that we are upon the
limits Of over production, aud that au
adjustment is needed between labor and
capital witha view toa new and more stable
condition Of affairs. For weeks past tho
volume Of trade has been shrinking anG
the list OF failures lengthcning, which is
attributed to the disappoiutments Of the
spring trade on the part OF those who over
bought themselves in the winter in cx
yectatiOn Of increased activity. Large
stocks Of goods have either remained or
hand or been sold ut = loss. TIL,
summer will. clean out these stock!
and PERHAPS prevent a disastrous breal
in prices. The market, in other words
will have chance to rectify itself. w,
shall then see what we shall see. At al
events both sides will then understand til,
situation more clearly, and possibly be bet
terprepared ior negotiations on II satisiac
tory basis. It is plain that no agrecmen
Is possible now. The men have ha
4 long season OF work, have made
good deal OF money, and rathe
relish the idea OF a holiday. The manu-
lecturers have repairs to make, IN accour
Of stock TO take, and cleaning up Of odd
and ends 10 look after, and, in addition
are confronted with Il dull and declinin
market. Therefore both sides arc quit
willing to suspend operations until the
know more OF the future. Let us hop
that they will continue, aud eventual
come together, in the amicable frame {
mind in which they part.