The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-05

manufactured products In the United States
exceeded by $3.50. 100000 the combined output
or textile fabrics. hardware and sundries OF
the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Rus
STA, Austria, Spain, Belgium and the Scan
olnavlan countries. See Page 100.
States is given at 1850. 600. coo; that Of the
United Kingdom at $50. OBS 900, 900. The
wealth of the United States, in the census
ing an increase between 1860 and 1896,
period Of thirty-six years. of So, 490. $50. 932
These statistics reveal the marvellous
showing that, in this brief period of time.
the Increase of wealth in this country ex-
ceeds the total wealth of Great Britain by
s6, .3SS9 32. / have seen the statement that
the English statistician. Mr. Mulhall. places
the aggregate wealth of the United States
in 1899 at s92. 600 000 600.
The exports from the United States IN
each of the past two years exceed any for
mer years by over 800. 00, 900. Each of these
years went beyond 81. 225 100000 in the aggre-
gate.
SIGNIFICANT LESSONS.
Without dwelling on these statistical facts.
which reveal the mighty growth and match
less prosperity of this country. without dis
cussing the wonderful results that have
come to us in the building of 10000 miles
of railroads in less than two-score years.
let us study the significant lessons they
teach. and thereby learn to honor and the
better to appreciate the toiling people whose
us pre-eminently above all the governments
of earth.
1t is safe to assume that one-half Of all
the working people of the United States are
engaged in some of the departments of agri-
culture. Most of them are owners and pro-
prietors or managers of the interests that
engage their attention, and hence not al
fected by the conditions that confront en-
ployes in large enterprises, factories. mines
or other industries where men are employed
in large numbers.
In the early history of our country large
establishments were the exception and small
industries the rule. The hand loom was
found in the home, where the fabrics for
where likewise, shoemaking and mending
was carried on. / was a good-siZed boy be-
fore / was ever clad or shod In anything
else than home manufactured and home
made wares. Under this regime competition
was at a minimum, as in each community,
almost without exception. from the hand
loom TO the shoemakers bench, all the
wants of the people were supplied by home
artisans, whose competitive influences did
rot extend beyond their respective neighbour
by the local blacksmith furnished the farm
implements But these conditions have
changed.
urated. Associated capital, labor-saving
machinery and improved mechanical appl-
ances have enormously increased the out
put of manufactured articles in all depart
ments Of industry, often far beyond the de-
mands of competition and trade. These
conditions have created competition In its
most intensified form. Efforts to reduce the
cost of output of finished products becomes
a principle. In these efforts. reduction of
wages Is one of the first means to the end.
Here trades unions find necessity for
their existence. They are the legitimate,
necessary and logical outgrowths of the
factory and competitive system.
WOrkingmen fOresaw the danger of the
overcoming tendency toward reduction
Of wages to meet the demand Of sharp COM
petition in the overstocked markets of
trade and without some means of Self-de-
tense labor would be reduced to pauperiSm
and serfdom. Do l put this too strongly?
The a, refusal Of large contractors contract" to pay
and the Importation of cheap contract labor
from Europe reveal the corporate greed
that would dishonor American manhood,
and emphasize the need. Of labor organ
iZationS.
GROWTH OF UNIONS.
At first, trades unions in this country
were organized solely to secure and main
tain better wages, but they have broad
ened the purpose and enlarged the useful
ness Of such organizations. There is being
interviewer into most labor organizations,
especially the older and most progressive.
fraternal features These purposes will
widen with the lapse of time, and through
discussion and enlarged experience greater
ends will be sought and grander achiev
ments attained. The home must be exalted
and efforts put forth to elevate it's stand
ard Through the labor organizations, and
by laboring men not members of such or
CARNATIONS, there should be constant effort
to promote the interests of working people.
This can best be accomplished by elevating
the standard of intelligence. by intoxicating
among workingmen the important truth
that the employe who best serves his en-
ployer likewise best serves himself. The
employer who wins the confidence and CO.
Qn1nl0VaG
treatment. displays sound economic wisdom.
Fair dealing, cooperation and profit-shar-
boycotts and lockouts. Here is field for
capital to display fine executive ability,
sound economic wisdom and progressive
philanthropic spirit as we'll. The National
Cash Register Mandatory, conducted by
the Patterson Brothers. at Dayton, o., is
the brightest. grandest example to be found.
says 1t combines utility and philanthropy,
1t makes money and happiness at the same
time. In this country and parts of Europe
rated, and capital is being invested on the
cooperative and profit-sharing plan. The
number and influence Of these associations
give promise to revolutionize our Industrial
system. In the full fruition of this new
system, when firmly established, wherein
each workman in his associated capacity
becomes his own employer society will wit
ness the end of that trio Of gigantic evils.
the strike the lockout and the boycott;
Of organized laborers in the United States
at 10000 These workmen are divided into:
first, Federated Labor; second, knights of
Labor; third. non-federated trades unions
These great organizations. under WISE con-
sentative leadership. can be a power in pro-
noting workingmen's interests. The strike
the lockout and the boycott are losing favor
In the public estimation. All methods tend
ing. to engender strife and promote discord
will meet with public disapproval. Indis-
Greet leaderships engender the bitterness
that eliminates In lawlessness ending
sometimes in bloodshed and destruction of
property. Such leadership will prove de-
structive to the cause 1t seeks to promote
Men in all the walks Of life must learn that
others have rights to be respected.
HINT TO STRIKERS.
Each individual has a right to freedom Of
choice and action so long as he does not
impinge on the rights Of others No in
dividual or organization has a right to forci-
bly, disturb the amicable relationship that
exists between any other individuals in their
capacity as employers and employees. The
keen sense of fairness and justice that ac-
tuates the American citizen will not long
tolerate any infraction of the rights that
belong to every citizen of our country. We
must ALL sooner or later, learn that our
rights end where the rights of others be-
gin, even If We learn the lesson Old the
bully from the little Irishman. A stav art
six-footer took a position on the sidewalk
and with his long arms proceeded to knock
everybody who came in reach, declaring
MY rights extend as far as the arms God
has given me can reach" A little Irish
l.