The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-10
ANOTHER VIEW OF THE CARNEGIE
MOVE.


A gentleman who is exceedingly we'll
| informed in such matters. discussing with
us the action OF Andrew Carnegie, com
| mented on by US yesterday, IN directing
| his agents TO take all orders from ell
| quarters without regard to price, said
| he did not think Mr.. Carncgie's action
| in this matter was primarily for charity.
only by keeping his own men employed.
His view Of the case was this: Carnegie.
said he had n great contest with the
labor unions eighteen months ago at
the Homestead works. in which he COM
pletely overthrow and defeated them.
Since then he has employed his labor as
he pleased according TO the requirements
OF the labor market under the law OF
demand and supply. He Is. therefore. able
10 manufacture now. not according TO
a scale Of prices arbitrarily established
by the labor unions. but at such prices
as those who want his goods find 1t TO
their interest to pay. The real meaning
OF his move IS war to the death upon the
AmaIgamated Association Of Iron and
Steel Workers. His real object is to
break that labor association down by
forcing the establishments that employ
members Of that union 10 manufacture
at the prices at which he sells or to so
out of business.
We are unable TO say whether this Is
Mr. Carnegie's object, or whether it is
not. We simply give IL as the diagnosis
of a thoroughly Informed and intelligent
man, and for the value of the probability
that 1t carries on its face.
If this be the true purpose and intent
OF Mr. Carnegie's act. its far-reaching
influence and effect may be beyond
conjecture. Everything except labor has
past thirty years. while labor has steadily
risen In value and skilled labor has risen
enormously. AS We argued few days back
our increasing mastery of the arts and
sciences is making production every day
easier and cheaper. This being the case,
can skilled labor maintain its present
rates Of wages? Under the natural opera
ton Of the law Of demand and supply |
therefore. il will be through the opera
ton and effect Of the labor unions. If |
Mr.. Carnegie succeeds in what he is
TO have undertaken, he Will
break up the power Of the labor unions
IN all those branches of business con-
lected with his operations. and prices Of
articles in his line will fall under the
influence of the law Of supply and de-
nand, unaffected by the actions and
lecrees of the unions. This may be n
natter that demands the attention Of
hose who control in the councils Of
abor. and their most earnest attention.
L is for them to consider, nationally and
Without passion, whether it is wiser in
hem to attempt TO hold the price Of
killed labor up at arbitrary figures or 10
ali into the swim and take part in that
general readjustment of economical
conditions which is evidently upon the
world. BY standing on one side they
nay run a serious risk of being totally
eft. BY going into the general discus
ions and submitting their claims TO the
General verdict and Judgment they are
ertain 10 secure that position in the
NAL scale which the law Of demand and
upply entities them to- a recent in
made by Deems Review
If many thousand cases shows con-
llsively that the falling of in business.
with what business was 4
car ago. is in manufacturing and not
a sales. This proves conclusiyely that
here is something in the way OF the
What can IL be but
he price OF labor. 1t also sug-
ests. however. that We cannot be far
n from revival Of business. Consump-
on is going ahead. and in a natural
tate. Production must very soon move
, meet the demand upon it.