Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-07-26

have not materially decreased in num-
Der or volume, while the artificial con.
ditions of finance which the system
itself evolves are still favorable to a
further enlargement of the field Of activ-
ity. 1t is true that in few branches
the state of affairs is not as satisfactory
as present circumstances would seem to
warrant This Is particularly the case
in the wooden industry OF the Eastern
States, which for some unknown reason
is generally prostrated and greatly
disturbed by failures. A very large
proportion of New England spinning
machinery is idle, and the prospect, ac-
cording to BradStreefs, is not for an
early revival. In our opinion this in
ddstry suffers from extreme compe.
tition and is now undergoing that pro-
cess of bankruptcy which precedes reor-
ganization in a concentrated or "trusti-
fed" form.
Singular to say, anthracite coal,
although thoroughly monopolized, is
next to woolens, the most inactive of
products. Considering the enlarged
requirements of industry, by the side Of
which those Of the no usehOld for fuel
are insignificant, it seems logical to pre-
sumo that the causes of this inactivity
are largely artificial and might be found
in a combined action of the coal barons
to curtail production this summer in
order to reduce stocks and advance
prices next fall. Should this be the
case, the contemplated strike of the
coal miners, by order of the American
Federation of Labor, for a shortening of
the work-day, will prove an overwhelm-
ing success.
Some complaints are also heard among
manufacturers in the iron and steel in
dustries, but they seem unfounded, for
there is an unprecedented quantity of
iron going into consumption every week
and the steel rail mills have orders
enough to keep them employed for
three months to come. The cotton and
leather markets are very active. The
boot and shoe factories are extremely
prosperous; their product has never
been SO large and it is a matter Of sur
prise to us that the wage workers en-.
gagged in this industry do not improve
the finest opportunity they have had for
many years Of lettering their condition
We may safely say, Therefore, that,
taken as a whole, the situation warrants
and promises steady movement of
labor in the direction of organization
for the next six months at least, and
probably for the whole fiscal year.
Without any plan or systematic effort,
but by the mere force of circumstances,
the unions are steadily increasing in
membership and enforcing various de-
mands for higher wages and shorter
hours. While the employers in nearly
every case make at least a show of
resistance and in few instances fight
stubbornly, they are compelled to yield
after having by their heartless and
stupid conduct widened the ohasm be-
tween capital and labor.
III CONCLUSION, then, we relterate the
advice which we have persistently given
to the organized trades for six months
and more. Wait no longer. Act
promptly. Demand as much as the
circumstances of your respective trades
may permit Above all things, under.
take to systematic agitation and Or
ganization. Strengthen yourselves in
all possible ways and with a view to in
dependent political action, keeping in
sight the great object, -emancipation
IA