Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-03-20


perience that God helps 0aIy thuSe VIII"
help themselves. Therefore they propose
in future Ia take hand in shaping things
for their OWN good, and our friend can con
tinue Ia perform the part of a Spectator
aS long a. il pleaseS him 10 d. 81.
WuEKER.
Conservative View of the Labor situation.
To the Editor Of the Globe Republic.
There seems TO be a constant effort ON the
part of many those in position Ia WELD an
effective influence to antagOmize labor and
capital. They seem Ia disregard the fact
that the day never has been. and never will
be- that either labor OF capital will be heme
fited by bitter strife. Those who encourage
capital to fight labor. or labor Ia fight capi-
tai. are imjuring both, and check the pros
perity of our country. The laborer and the
capitalist each have rights that should be
protected by Just. conservative laws and by
public sentiment. \ combination Of manu-
features to dictate prices of Labor and cundi-
| tionS OF employment is not right. and as a
rule. is damaging Ia their interests: neither
is il right for labor organizations to assume
the right tu conduct and control other per
sons business; and the experience of the
past fully demonstrates that strikes have
brought tenfOld more suffering and actua!
injury than enjoyment and benefits 10 work
ingmen.
Has not Springfield been remarkably free
| from labor troubles from its earliest history
t" this day? Can any one name a manu-
featuring town OF city in this whole land
where there has been less conflict between
| capital and labor: where the workingmen
| have received better pay and more steady
work; where there Is a greater proportion
"f workingmen owning their own homes:
where there l. more intelligent and de
~Irable class of wurkingmen. than right here
| in our Champion City? Did labor Organiza-
I om and strikes produce these good results?
Even the Knights of Labor must in our
opinion answer ne. These good results have
been largely produced by the pleasant rela-
| tiun> existing between manufacturers and
| their men: the former being just in treat
/ ment and compensation. and the latter rem
dering good and faithful service. The past
few wears have been disastrous to almost all
| kinds Of business interests, especially 81 in
| the manufacture of agricultural implements
| This is Springhrd's important industry.
Even after careful management close
| economy and reduction in all expenditures.
| including price of Labor but few
manufacturers have made any money
during the past two years. and
many have met with an actual
| loss. Those who have closely watched the
| condition OF trade certainly will not assert
| that manufacturers of Springfield should
have paid more for labor. Indeed. it is a
| tact that the reduction in the price OF labor
has been much less than the reduction in
| the selling price and the profit on manu-
factured farm implements. II is also to
| be remembered tha: the reduction in wages
has been accompanied with great re-
ductiOn III dry goods, groceries, provisions.
| and other mrceSsarjrs. The blow most felt
| by wOrkingImen, and that has produced the
greatest suffering. has been the reduction of
working hours per day. and. in some cases.
working days per week. Men who have
| had steady work. even only eight hours per
| day. hIy" received wages to enable them 10
| live in a comfortable manner during the
| past two years of depression. hut those hu
| have had work only a part Of the timr have
| been unfortunate. and should have the ~yUI-
| pathy of all persons. But. in extending
sympathy, do not do injustice to the man-
utactuTerS ut our city who paid fair to good
wages for actual service rendered and have
made every effort Ia increase. their bllSimt>,
and give steady work. Daring the past
year more than one manufacturer continued
! tO run their shops some weeks longer than
| their business demanded, mainly tn give
their men work. Yet. judging from
PARTON of our city press and other in
tIWrntial sources in our city. Springfield
manufacturers have iron hearts and no
| sympathy or interest in their men.
The recent conflict between theWhitelevs
and a portion Of their men is Ia br regret
ted. The demand for higher wages was
made. Was the demand if not granted. to
{" be- followed by general strike? White
leyS have been running on full time for
months. and felt that they were paying aS
high wages As the times and their business
Justified. They seem satisfied in their own
minds that if they did not comply with the
demand made, the Knights of Labor would
strike here as elsewhere in like cases.
TheWhitrleyS considered the conflict opened
and decided to settle with dissatisfied men.
and finally discharged others belonging Ia
an organization which proposed to compel