The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-01-04
VERY BAD YEAR FOR LABOR
WAGES GENERALLY REDUCED
And Trades Unions Disorganized.
Leaders Hope for Better
Times.

The year 1903 will 90 down as one OF the
most trying for organized labor trades un.
ions since the foundation Of the once grand
organization OF Knights Of Labor in Oct,
1859, up TO the present date. With over
one half Of the industrial classes OF the
country unorganized and working inde-
pendent Of the united crafts. extraordinary
conditions have arisen which have operated
against the wage earners without regard TO
class In particular may be mentioned the
money panic, with its contraction Of credits
and general restriction Of business opera
tions, entailing idleness and reduced in
comes TO the laboring masses. Prices for
the staple articles Of trade have ruled alb
normally low for the last six months OF
1898 leaving the margin Of profit very
narrow and 10 enable the employer TO re-
main in the race for business the employees
were necessarily compelled to bear part OF
the burden. Wage reductions, according to
the belief 81 prominent labor officials, while
afiording temporary relief have been prac-
,icei 10 such an extent as TO diminish the
purchasing power Of the laboriDg classes,
and have closed up markets for a very large
proportion ofthe couutry's products. Thus
while the means Of production are abundant
the large class Of working people who have
suffered by the business depression have
not the means to consume, or they have
been compelled 10 reduce :heir wants 10
bare necessities.
As for trades unions II can be cain they
are stonger numerically at the close OF the
year than at the beginning. The officials OF
the big natiOua, trades unions located in
Pttsburg, Pa say that in times OF prosper
ity the working classes become apathetc in
their support Uf the union, but turn TO II
when ihe war against wages is commenced
Financially the unions are many thousands
poorer than when they commenced the
year In many crafts big strikes and lock-
/ outs have occurred and the unemployed
have been drawing relief, Unorganized
/ worknen who have been forced out OF en-
/ plOyment have nothing TO fall back upon.
Generally speaking, wage'earncrs of every
/ class have suffered during the year, In no
/ craft have wages been advanced, while the
/ trades that have succeeded in maintaining
the rates paid the previous year are rare eN'
Ceptons to the rule. The trades maintaining
/ 1892 rates are among the best organized OF
any ai.d even those workmen have been un-
able 10 secure regular employment. These
. trades persevere ia the idea thatwage Teduc-
/ tuns Oeneht no one III theend ana VIII mol
. make any coDcess ions regardless of COndi'
tions oi trade which would seem to warrant
reductions Tor the time beng The stand II
taken by the Oldest and most successful
trades unions that the lmpoverishment ol
the wage Garner works distress 10 all classe:
ii persisted IN long enough and light every
movement In that direction.
This Is the platform OF the National Asso
citation Of Window Glass Workers AMI IN,
American Flint Glass Workers union with
out exception the strongest national trade
union in the United Ssa,es, the former tn,
bulwark Of the knights OF Labor, and tn,
latter the leading national uades union o
the American Federation ot Labor. otl
organizati ons renihrmcd ls0!.t wages 10
lslI W.. ~. 80, -, ----l-a -. 81