Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-12-05

them to maintain the present destructive
competition. The Germans are commercial
" the most active people st this time, and
are even surprising American manuaetur
ers in certain lines OF hosiery, hardware
cutlery and are threatening an inundati0r
in other directions.
Never before were the multitude o.
small industries 50 prosperous. The iror
and steel makers, bridge builders, pipe
makers, car and locomotive builders and
ship builders are all over-erowded with
orders and are working day and night.
Rails enough have been made to iay
:, GO miles of road next year. Money i:
abundant, interest is low, consumption Is
increasing. The coal trade is active MI
over the country. Wool is quiet aud
firm. Cotton has slightly declined. Dry
goods and clothing Of AL kinds are in
abundant supply, and mills and factories
are running full time. The European
sugar beet crop is the heaviest ever known
md manufacturers are afraid prices in
this country will decline in consequence
The English flour markets have only hall
rs much stock as they had year ago.
Wheat receipts inthe Northwest are fall
ing OF. Farmers are holding for higher
prices A general increase in commercial
activity Is coming, and the winter and
spring viii bring all the business that
the industries OF the country from one end
to the other end OF it can possibly handle,
-
The Pittsburg Labor Tribune in the last
Issue very sensibly and pertiuently says
There have been some notable failures
Of strikes recently, among the more prOmi-
nent being that Of the packers at Chicago
and the tanners at Peabody and Salem,
Mass. Would it not be better were work
men who contemplate striking for their de-
mands to consider with great care the
probabilities of the outcome? The par
OF the mixed condition of affairs
that followed so closely in the wake OF the
packers strike aud chung toit 50 Pertinaci-
OusIy, are fresh in the memory ofthe public.
The details of the tanners strike are not
so familiar. It was begun in July, and
was conducted with all the energy the as
involved could bring to bear, but
ended in an order declaring the strike oil
and instructing the men TO return to work
wherever they could secure situations.
The fact that all the places we're long since
filed by non-uniOn men argues that the
strike was premature If organization is
not to guard against rash strikes, Us we'll
as TO contest wisely conceived ones, we fail
10 understand its legitimate offices.
There should be official announcement
of the result of every demand made by or
ganized labor, giving the silent points, and
if unsuccessful the wherefore, in order that
all organized wOrkmen may learn from the
experience Of those who have been on strike.
such official announcements should be open
10 the honest criticism of all directly or in
directly concerned, that officials might re-
ceive the credit or diScredit the facts would
Justify. II is entirely too serious matter
that thousands or even hundreds oil
workmen should be ordered out on strike,
OF a majority not be restrained from 50 de-
ding, when 1t Is reasonably clear thaI
such action would result in defeat, the in
tervening loss of time, and the final trouble
in getting back Jobs. 1t Is, of course, very
exhiliarating 10 a crowd TO carry strike
resolution with whOop-hurrah, and ex-
hilaration is stimulating. but isn't Is last
ing rs a days wages, and doesn't run the
physical system beyond few hours.
Organization should be looked upon by
the members rs Z means OF securing Justice
without the strike; rs giving power which
enables the men 10 accord fair play, and to
insist upon having 1t accorded them. Or
ganization Is not to be used "a q mere con-
venience for striking. When this is forgot
ten for any length of time it means diSrup,
ton. There Is no place where practical
wisdom and tirmneSs and sincerity Of par
puse are more useful than in the official
who may have the deciding voice IN the
question. strike OF no StrIke!'