The record-union., 1894-05-04
A MANUFACTURERS VIEWS
The Messrs. Studebaker = What the
Elder SAYS of the Hard Times.

The MesSrs. Studebaker = What the
Elder Says of the Hard Times.
Glenn. Studebaker and J. M. Stude-
baker, President and Vice President. re-
spectively, of the Studebaker Manufact-
uring Company of South Bend, Indiana,
were in the city yesterday. They leave
for the north part of the State to-day, re-
turning East through Oregon in few
days.
Both have been in tho State for nearly
two months and express themselves as
delighted with it. They have been OBJ
serving closely, making inquiries dill
gently and informing themselves upon
California's condition, soil capacity, eli
mate, production, industry, investment,
opportunities, etc.
They frankly say that they are de-
lighted with California, without, however,
any loss of attachment for their homes in
Northern Indiana. They look upon the
early future of this State as especially full
of rich promise as a fruit-growing State
and as an attraction TO winter tourists.
Glenn Studebaker was asked concern
ing business conditions at the East
He replied as follows, in substance but
more fully, that they are very much de-
pressed, though now showing signs of
revival. As to to the causes of depres-
sion they are various; perhaps, over
production was one thing, financial legis-
lation another-but there were many
causes which drove timid capital into
hiding and stopped the wheels of indus
try.
Why, he was asked, does this depres-
sion still continue? He replied, because
OF uncertainty. THERE'S money in plenty,
need to produce is great, the demand is
ready to be made, but there is such un-
certainty as TO tariff and revenue legisla-
ton that the operators of industries dare
not move one way or the other. Some of
them are suffering worse than the idle
operatives. That is to say, he added, the
struggle to keep on and save groups of
old and faithful workers from industrial
suspension has made many manutact-
urer suffer more bitterly than the world
will ever know.
81 know how 1t is,'' he added; show
III our business we have felt it all, and
the personal suffering we have under
gone.n
"What is your feeling regarding tbs
marching industrials?''
THAT the thing is exaggerated. 1t is
bad enough; pitiful enough. But it has
been much augmented by the news
papers; by sensationalizing the thing.
Some of the men in the armies have been
led astray; some are bad, some are
worthy; some will not work if ever so
good opportunity is offered. The whole
thing is a bad symptom, but not nearly
SO significant as some newspapers make
it.'
''You think, then, the disposal of tariff
legislation would give relief?'
''Yes, almost at once, [ know how
hard we try to keep our men at work
and what a struggle it is for willing cap
ital in these times. Money is timid and
f.ic hot, Is - 81,
worse for the workers. There is no diff
ference between the man with labor to
sell and he with capital to rent. Both
are capitalists in a sense. The man with
S100 saved is a capitalist. What we want
is to learn that providence, saving, liv-
ing within income, is the duty of men.
These hard times has taught that lesson
to so many that the distress is not with
out some compensation and business
hereafter of all kinds will be done on a
safer basis, with less of leaning on each
other and carrying of each other. That
is, self-reliance is being taught to men as
a need"
"You think uncertainty removed there
will be a return of good times?"
"Yes, capital wants to give labor full
opportunity to be Employed; it can't re-
main unemployed itself without injury;
but it is restrained by the conditions of
the present, and, to certain extent, by
the conduct of workers. The people
are buying only necessities now, and in
some lines economic on them by subst-
tuting the cheaper for the better article.
This is not without its good side, how
ever, and we may look for more saving
among wage-earners hereafter. Yes,
when the uncertainty that makes capital
timid now and ties labor's hands is re-
moved, you will see good times come
quickly"
The foregoing reflects the views of this
large manufacturer, but in much abbre-
waited form. Mr. -Studebaker is man of
very cool and careful expression, of
thoughtful mien, and is quite well adj
vanced in years. He has had very long
extended experience in the employment
of skilled labor.