Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-09-01
MILL MATTERS.
General Talk OF work-An Impartial
Opinion.


There was no talk afloat yesterday indi.
eating any change in the situation of the
strike. The opposing sides are as wide
apart and confident as ever. Manufactur.
ers are inclined to the belief that il will
take but eompatively shortwhile TO make
skilled laborers of the greenest hands-that
is, labor sufficiently skilled to run the
mill; while the men say that not only Is
this unture, but even ordinary non-union
labor viii be unsatisfactory from It's want
of skill.
It has been Just three months, to-day,
since the strike began, and some men
think il is likely to stretch over a period
three months longer, while the manufac-
turers talk as though next week will see
every mill in operation. Such Is the situa-
ton.
- AN IMPARTIAL VIEW. 80
In discussing the general situation OF the
strike, YESTERDAY, merchant, who claimed
to view the trouble with impartial eyes
quotes generally his opinion. Said he:
ifCapitaIs Observation-Disclosures an independ-
emit sort of fellow. He puts his strength
and skill into the business, and claims INV
ideuds enough to keep himself fed up TO
working trim and TO feed and clothe his
wife and children. Capital, In his thought-
full mood looks admiringiy upon his sine,
WV associate, and begrudges him none OF
his fair share of their joint profits. But as
dividends multiply. and all come into the
hands of the senior partner, he sometimes
becomes greedy and grasping. He lives IN
q palace while his partner lives in howell.
He takes his sons and daughters
to Europe to return on brief visits
as the lords and ladies OF our land,
while his begrimed partner sees but
"looped and Widowed raggedness" in his
darkened home. The multitude who toll
are Just now making motion for such a
distribution Of the profits as will reduce
this great gulf between the employers and
the employed. They do not ask that the
owner of the capital shall live as they do,
but they demand an increase OF wages
which will enable them to live at the In
creased prices OF living, even If the en-
ployers shall accumulate wealth little
less rapidly. 1t takes two sides 70 make a
bargain. The labor system under which
one side makes the bargain for both is sla'
very. II the strikers demands can
not be met the employers should
be able to make that clear TO the
chosen leaders of the former. II those de-
mands can be met without disturbance to
reasonable profits, the strikers should be
sustained. A fair return on capital invest
ed, and fair days wages for fair days
work-these are the respective demands Oh
Capital and Labor. Each must sometimes
yield portion, but there should be mutu-
atty about it. II either side is driven to
the wall, the submission is but sullen.
Willing labor is the cheapest at any. price.
Capital cannot be permanently safe in
csuntry disturbed by the discomfort OF I'M
derpaid labor. The present labor troubles
are serious, and are Increasing. If capital
does not make every exertion possible IN
favor of lust arbitration OF differences it
will be guilty of the supreme folly Of neg
lecting its own interests"
General Notes.
Sometimes the news can learned away
from home better than elsewhere. For in
stance, the Chicago Journal says: The iron
strikes throughout the country are collaps-
ing Two nail mills at Wheeling, w. Va,
are about resuming business without
signing the scale
And in the midst OF the difficulty the
VIII taker mill steadily pursues the even
tenor OF its way.