The Evening critic., 1883-01-10
THE LABOR OUTLOOK.
General Reductions in Wages Ex-
pected, and Many Strikes Pre-
usAAA

correspondent of the New York TINS tele-
graphs as follows from Cleveland, Ohio, In re-
gard to the labor outlook:
SIT Is anticipated among workingmen, and
especially such as are employed in the manu-
facture OF steel and Iron or the mining of Iron
and coal, that great many strikes of more or
less magnitude will occur throughout the
country In 1888. Those that occurred last
year were generally for an advance of wages,
while those of the coming year Will be to meet
or prevent reductions that seem almost cer-
tain TO be attempted. 1t is no use arguing
that the present, stagnatton in the steel and
iron market and the scarcity of orders are
due altogether to the expectation OF
Gn sSeS rails Will be reduced TSe fact IS
that not so many miles of railroad VIII be
built In 1883 as there were in 1882, no matter
The expectation that the next Congress may
reduce the tarin OF course has an effect on the
roads already in existence, preventing them
from entering into contracts for the future, or
relaying tracks in cases where business Will
allow OF delay. All of these things are ap-
parent 10 the workingmen as they are 10 their
employers, and they can forecast the future
as ably as can any one. In CONVERSE
tion with the local representative of
large labor organization, he expressed
his opinion In something like this manner:
1T is not at present the purpose OF any of the
iron or steel laborers to encourage any strikes,
or even TO talk OF any-especially at time
when the mills had about as lief stop as not.
And beyond the mere present dullness, do
not believe there is any desire 10 enter Into
any contest for higher pay. But from. indica-
tions that have dritted down to us from the
management OF the Cleveland Iron Mills,
from the action OF the operators OF the Mas
sillon coal mining district In ordering re-
duction In the price of mining, from word
that have received from Pitt5burg, and from
other incidents In the way of warning, l am
sure that general attempt Will be
made to cut wages next summer, and if II
stops In Iron or coal alone IT Will be surpris-
ing. II is more likely to strike the railroads
and n number OF the trades. In that case there
will be vigorous stand made in opposition.
With meat, provisions OF all kinds, clothing
and house rent at present figures, there are
very few OF the trades that can stand reduc-
tion. In case 1t Is generally undertaken there
will be quiet but firm movement among tho
men 10 hold out for what they feel rightfully
belongs 10 them-enOugh OF the profits to en-
able them 10 live. The labor element OF the
county is better organized than II
was year ago, and better able by
such organization TO prevent disorder
and rlotlng during strikes 10 the loss OF the
public sympathy ana moral support. One
thing may be counted on-that tho working
men OF Ohio are 10 have more of n voice In
politics than they have had In late years. by
this is not meant tho dictaton otany order or
trades union, nor even tho participation OF
any such order or union In political matters
or movements. What / mean Is that the
workingmen individually arc beginning %
learn their power, and that they Intend that
hereafter fair proportion OF those who make
aud execute the laws shall understan and be
In sympathy with the cause Of American
labor