Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1895-01-24

all the cattle in the commonwealth not
more than ten per cent are thus affected.
WAYSIDE TALK.
The past week was an uneasy one in
labor circles and all attention has been
given to the trolley strike in BROOKLYN.
1t seems to us that a wise administra-
tion of the affairs of the trolley COM
panies might have averted the present
troubles, but in this we may be mis-
taken. There is great deal of sympa-
thy expressed for the strikers. This
comes in measure ON account of the
unpopularity of the trolley manage
ment. 1t is the unfortunate part of
every large strike that the loafers and
bummers of the section where labor
troubles arise make haste to get to the
scene of action and by word and deed
stir up riotous feelings among the more
hot headed of the strikers. We suppose
the leaders of all great strikes intend no
violence and deprecate anything of the
kind but here the danger comes in. A
weak police system, as is the case in
Brooklyn, fails to preserve order. The
militia is called upon, not to take part
in the war between the trolley roads
and their striking employees, but to pro-
tect property. At this writing about
10000 men are under arms to preserve
the peace and to protect the rights of
property holders. There can be but
one outcome; law and order will pre-
vail. The principle involved in this
and all similar strikes is the bone of
contention. Will organized labor al
low capitol to employ unorganized la
Dor? 1t seems not. Undoubtedly if
the trolley roads of Brooklyn could run
their cars without molestation they
would not be "a hours in having all
lines fairly well operated. This, organ
lied labor does not willingly agree to.
1t is not strange that the old employ
es take the matter of losing their places
seriously and that the socialstic ele-
ment easily finds opportunity to get in
! its work.
Such demonstrations as were made
liz Chicago last summer and are now
Ding on in Brooklyn do not augur any
eyyllg good III the labor field. The nation
al questions which have been agitating
the country to it's great detriment for
the last two years and which now hang
like a wet blanket over returning pros
perity are nothing compared with the
labor problem of the day. OF late capi-
tai has taken the brunt of the battle;
dividends have been cut down and in
many eases passed; individuals and
corporations doing business in a small
way have been content to get along
and pay expenses while they have seen
their property depreciate in value. Yet
in the face of all these things wages
have held remarkably firm and to-day
| employees, as a rule, are getting well
paid for their work, while on the other
hand the purchasing power of dollar
is largely increased. The former
in the west has to pay the same wages
to-day with wheat at so cents per bush
ell as when he got one dollar. True, he
can buy his clothing cheaper, but so
can his employe. He can purchase his
| farming machinery for less money than
| formerly, but this usually affects only
the manufacturer, not the workman.
| There should be wise legislation wise
| leadership in labor organizations, and
| large corporations must select their
managers with particular reference to
their fitness to deal with men as well
as finance. We have always found that
| the general treatment of employees has
as much to do with successful opera
| I'll ms as the wage question. If mana
gers and superintendents would take
more pains to become better acquainted
with their leading workmen and would
deal with them and through them for
the better conduct of labor organiZa-
/ tions, and tie the interest of both en-
ployer and employe as closely together
as possible the machinery in many a
company would go easier. There are
men and companies who are taking adj
vanced steps in the management OF
their affairs and they have no trouble
with labor. They have thoughtful,
earnest employees around them who
zealously guard their interest and such
men and companies prosper. When
the employe thinks he has part in
making an undertaking successful he
| is contented if properly recognized.
The principal troubles arise in corpora
| tions which have large capital and
where the workmen are made up from
many lands. We believe that capital
will go into large corporations more
slowly than in the past. The tendency
of the times is towards the outstanding
of local resources and for local develop
ment.
Our future prosperity is largely in
the hands of the labor element. Work
ing men should study the conditions of
| the country and lend their influence
for a labor organization based upon
higher principles than many of the
present ones have. An organization
thoroughly American and educational,
whose policy shall be to place as leaders
men who are God fearing, industrious
and thoughtful. Men who have some
other object to live for than to subsist
upon other peoples money. There
should be no friction between capital
and labor, but SO long as the former is
in anyway oppressive, or the latter
domineering we can not hope for better
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