The Labor enquirer., 1885-03-28
arbitration and place it upon q perma-

Self-interest should be cast aside and
our mutual interest studied. That there
may be time when measures for self
protection against INSCRIPTIONS corpora
tions become necessary, 1 will grant
but cannot agree that this time has YET
arrived. And that the protection
should always come in. the shape of q
reduction in wages, to the men. is not my
version of that term, Justice" E
That reduction in wages, and con-
sequently in market prices, will increase
your margin of profits, or place you in a
more tenable position, is very uncertain.
The probability is that your position
would become relatively the same in a
short time.
You would find. the protection" you
seek inadequate to the necessity of the
case, and that such policy would only
sink us to lower standard and afford no
relief whateyer.
The consumer is the only party that
would be benefited by such procedure.
Understand me, that / do not take
those grounds by reason of the fact that
am the fgure-head of the opposite
party, and, that, as matter of course, l
must take opposite views to yourself.
1t does not follow in the course of reason
ing that because 1 am leading power
with the opposite party, that you and
myself must ofnecessity, or by virtue of
our positions, disagree By no means is
this the case. You win always find my
constituents and myself ready to concede
any just demand; but naturally do we
ask, why not seek the protection" or
the relief necessary from the
source that derives the greatest
(the lions share) profits out of
your operations? Strike the blow at
the railway monopoly that bleeds you,
and filches from honest toll such an eI-
orbitant proportion of the value of the
commodity produced, and you will be
doing the cause of humanity a service.
A reduction in the tariff rates of trans
portation is an absolute necessity to the
prosperity of the state, and justice to the
business interests concerned demands
this change, while, to take from the
miners a portion oftheir hard earnings
at time when they are not able to earn
sufficient to make both ends meet"
would be a cruel policy. To take advan-
tage of the time of the year to impose
upon men would not be humane, and |
cannot believe that your body will COM
nit themselves to such measures,
Do not invite tho elements of discon-
tent into our midst and provoke turmoil
and trouble. Our sympathies are with
YOU in the dullness of trade, but that
ksympathy cannot, by reason of our de-
pressed circumstances, take the form of
concession in wages to the standard OF
October, 1884
! could not, honestly, from nv knowl-
edge of matters at present. advise my
constituents to take the step you request,
and hence would very respectfully ask
YOU to reconsider your resolution.
am truly yours,
JOHN L. LEWIS,
Executive Secretary Coal Miners Anal.
gamatiun.
1t may not be amiss to mention that
the Colorado Caol and Iron company is
the prime disturbing factor in occasion
ing the alleged necessity of this move
among the northern operators. They sell
their coal so cents per ton below the
usual price and the result is, that of de-
moralizing the northern trade. While
am sensib e that there is great deal ot
truth in the statement, am at aeloss tC
know how far would change in prices
remedy the situation. One thing is
clear-and l wish to impress that fact
upon the minds of my constituents
that it is the COMPETITIVE SYSTEM that
brings about this crisis And we are the
victims The operators here will tell
me that If all companies would pull to-
gether in maintaining prices, that hap
pier state of affairs would exist; but by
reason of the fact that certain parties are
DISPOSED to rule or ruin" absolutely
that they are as much victims of the sys
tenn as we ourselves. And that, as con
sequence, our interest and theirs, II
meeting all such parties upon eQuaI
grounds, become identical. That we are
interested IN encouraging individual en-
terprises, and small concerns, l will
grant: and equally 30 in checking the
alarming growth of corporate power anc
monopolies but after all, 1t comes hare
upou us to concede so far in our sympa
thies as to say: 1--WE will accept of les
wages in order to meet the case" l
Hooks too much like inviting a simila
move on the part of the opposing corpo
rations, and If a concession on our par
would result in this, then the folly o
the move would be unquestionable. Ny
indoment in the matter may not be sount
bnt for the life of me l cannot come tt
sny other conclusion than tt
invite my constituents to acquain
me with their sentiments. 1 woul(
counsel deliberation in spirit that vii
ultimately lead us safely through tn
l nresent crisis.