The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-03
a. G. Pierce, Leader of the Mill Owners.

ent, and it is said that may of the man.
ayers and stockholders were disposed
to do so. But there was one strong
minded man, leading spirit among the
owners, and he insisted that the re-
ductlnn must be made. His influence
carried the day, and the strike result
ed
In this strike at the present time,
about 10000 men are involved. There
are fully seventy thousand more in
the state who are watching the OUT
come oil this strike and who will be
governed by its results. 1t is true that
the stockholders have received the low
es: dividends this year that they have
ever received, but this fact it is urged,
does not warrant them in reducing the
wages below the living point The
combination of the operatives Is de-
scrlbed as being just what might be ex-
pected, where an attempt is made to
live on starvation wages. The tene-
ments are owned by the companies, and
most of them are in a filthy and un-
healthy condition. 1t is nothing un-
usual to see families living in crowded
quarters in total disregard of the sim
pliest regulations of health. If the
strike is prolonged terrible suffering
must follow, for the operatives have no
money and the resources Of their
friends and supporters are limited.
Every moment, be it a strike or a
political contest must have a leader
The organized strikers have their lead
er, and among the mil owners there has
arisen man OF iron nerve and an un-
yielding determination, who is now de-
pended upon to keep the weak among
his associates firmly set in the decision
not to yield to the demands of the
workmen. This man is Andrew Pierce.
who is pictured by the press as a hard
and unmerciful taskmaster. However.
this may be, he is most cordially hated
by the employees, and If the scenes of
disorder continue his life may be in
danger. Conflicting stories are put forth
respecting the amount that has been
paid in dividends to the stockholders.
and the amount that is earned by the
men. From the best obtainable inform-
alton 1t is evident that the stockhold-
ers are not now reaping very rich re-
turns, but it Is thought that in view of
the very large dividends that have been
earned in the past. they might con-
tinue the old prices while longer even
1t the profits are small.
The census of Japan was taken Dec.
18th, 1896, and the returns are now
partially aggregated. The population
of the empire exclusive of the island of
Formosa, acquired since the war from
China, is 42,70S,2G4. This makes a re-
spectacle aggregate and demonstrates
the power of Japan pretty we'll. The ma
tion has benefited so fast in all that
modern civilization can offer, and has
added so much to her military and
naval equipment, and extended its re-
sources so much by foreign trade that,
despite the fact that China outnumbers
1t in population 10 to l Japan is the
principle power in asiatic seas. It's in
sular situation compels it to depend
largely on its navy and in that respect
1t is fast becoming the England of the
Orient.
The contortionist is getting in his
tricks on railroad companies. A few
months ago at one of the stations near
indianapolis a man fell on the plat
forEl, having caught his heel in a crack.
. The result was dislocated hip Ply
sicians including the company sur
gcon examined him and decided that he
would be cripple for life. The rail-
road settled .or $1,000 and his laweyrs
fees, and did other things to make him
comfortable. One day last week a man
fell from the platform of a railroad sta
tion in Virginia and dislocated his hin
The company investigated the case The
rocr fellow was badly hurt, that was
plain to the physicians, and they were
about to recommend a compromise
with the company when up came an
eye witness who declared he say the
mcn looking for crack in the plat
form. A travelling man recognized him
as the Indianapolis unfortunate. The
case was investigated and the man was
:ound to be professional contorionist.
It was bad day for him, he will COLI
lect no more indemnities from rail-
roads.
Sanger, the great English menageric
ma has lately acquired an elephant
tia the Prince of Wales rode in India
when he visited that country. early in