New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-31
THE OLD YEAR INDUS1RIALLH.

The old year which ends to-day came IN with
cloud. Industry was sorely depressed three
hundred thousand persons were out or employ
ment in prominent branches of manufacture,
and the outlook for business was disheartening
The trade and the labor upon which the Droad
and shelter of millions depend seemed more
precarious than at any other time for many
years But the year goes out with much
better feeling prevailing. in this country, at
least and there are some signs OF hopetuness
abroad. 1t has not been altogether good year
for the millions, but it has brought distinct
and welcome change in the prospects OF trade
ana industry and though the Improvement mas
not yet become so general or so hrmIy cstaD-
lished that the best results are felt III the actual
condition of the people, there is strong con-
viction that the visible Frightening heralds an
approaching dawn.
Neither the profit of merchants nor the
volume of sales indicates with fidelity those
conditions of industry upon which the welfare
of the multitude depends. Much modern trade
is either miscellaneous speculation or I'M
warranted taxation; either gambling III
products which adds not penny to the world
wealth or an excessive tax upon processes OF
exchange between producer and consumer
which Injuries both. In times OF great activity,
it often happens that industries are emOar-
rassed, and the millions find 1t hard to MAKE
small gain in wages and work cover large
increase in prices. The past year has not been
pne of that sort. Much speculation there mas
been, but it has failed to initiate prices 10 the
harm of consumers The prohts OF dealings III
various branches of legitimate business have
been small, though the volume OF trade mas
been but moderately diminished, and that
means that the tax upon consumers or pro-
ducers for the services of exchange and trans
nortation have not been excessive, but moder-
oto Hence while speculation has much IN
tlated bank exchanges at few principal cltles'
merchants generally speak with but moderate
enthusiasm of their past business, though their
hopefulness is in remarkable contrast with the
oloomv spjrit which darkened the holidays
year ago.
The surcst indication of the actual condition
OF productive industry is found III the move
ment OF tonnage. Such statistics sho" thaC
the decrease during the first half of the year
was not great, and that the volume Oh tramc
and of production, measured III quantities.
WAS not far below that of the best years. Inc
later months have shown an increase ranging
from 10 to 20 per cent, in comparison with the
latter half of last year. Thus the actual
tonnage moved by the trunk lines both ways
duriny eleven months was 1O,19O,OOO tons III
1855. against 9.937,0O0 in 1851, and
1O.OS9. 900 in 1888, and / 100000 In 1857,
and IL $4,000 tons i'll 1881. Better than any
other records, these figures show how Httlc
tbe actual transfer of products from producers
TO consumers has fallen behind that OF the most
urosnerous years of our history. Bank
exchanges have shown a much greater decline
But that is because the average of prices IN
1888 has been lower than i'll any other year OF
which fall records can be obtained. The
millions do best when prices are low, if the
volume of productive industry is fairly main
tanned.
The year has been marked by many severe
strikes, and contests between employers ana
laborcrs. Some of these, the strike OF coal
miners in the Monongahela Valley, FOL example,
and the strike Of glass workers, have been OF
unusual duration. Great suffering has resulted,
and il is one of the most hopeful OF the signs
which brighten the horizon that the disposition
to settle disputes by arbitration has grown
RAPIDLY of late. Neither mlllonanes nor Con-
crosses can do as much for labOIels, to make
the coming year a happy and prosperous one
for them, as they can do Tor themselves If they
will insist upon that mode OF adjusting dls-
| putes The year closes with labor generally
| well employed, excepting where contests are
| in nropress and with the outlook for industries
decidedly more hopeful than it was year ago.
!