Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-09-17

where? Where has this octopus got
| possession OF somebody? On whom is
it acting? Where is its lair? We have
had here representatives of labor or
CARNATIONS who have been telling US
that wages are higher to-lay than they
have ever been. Certainly they do not
seem to suffer. We are told that 1T is
not the dollar that we want. but we
want the man. Well, what is the pur-
pose of the dollar if not to improve
the condition of the man? (%laughter.)
"If you want competition must not
| somebody succeed in it? Will you
suppress the man because he excels
another so far that he constitutes a
monopoly? Are you going to place
limits upon excellency?"
Now, Mr.. Morgan has called atten-
ton to the relations between employer
and employe.
You ask me what the functions OF
labor union are. l tell you it is to pro-
mote closer relationship and quicker
distribution. (Apblause).
Il believe when the time ONT that
the employers realize to themselves
that they are but captains Of industry,
that they are but part of the machinery
of production, that they are but direct
ing the energies of others, because by
that direction the energy is greater,
more fruitful and brings larger rewards
to each, that they will be glad to well
come the trades union as a means OF
free and simple interchange of opinion
between their partners and themselves.
1T is not a utopian dream that before
another conference of this character as
sembles the largest employers of labor
will insist upon their employees joining
unions and choosing representation in
them, realizig that it is a joint industry,
and that the man who works is just as
valuable as the man who directs his
work" (Applause).
A delegate: you have said we have
been disclaiming against the trusts and
that in the entire conference nothing
has been shown as to any evil commit
ted by them"
Mr.. Cochran: "Those that don't enjoy
any aid from government"
The delegates then quoted the Federal
Steel Trust as an example, claiming wages
had dbeen raised from 10 to % per cent. but
every product of the trust had been raised
100 to 125 per cent in cost to the consumers.
Mr.. Cochran: II have said again and
again on the platform that if a corporation
or al industry dominates the market by
any other reason than the cheapness of its
product, it is a public injury. Now, / say
that it can only maintain the prominence it
has once acquired by continuing to sell the
best articles. If you give it any undue
profits, or it abuses the advantages which
it enjoys from the excellence displayed in
competition and the government shows no
favor, nothing could prevent competition
springing up in an instant, and the case
mentioned of the Federal Steel Company
is one of the strongest instances of it. The
success of that company is causing to-day
the organization of three or four different
opposition enterprises"
A delegate: Your position is then, that
monopoly is impossible"
Mr.. Cockran: There is no way BY
which you can make a permanent mon
opoly without government favor except by
excellence of the service. While that ex-
cellence lasts,I don't object to your calling
it a monopoly. l say that the industrial
history of this country proves it, that there
is not a single monopoly which advanced
prices or which enjoyed undue profits with
out by that fact provoking opposition"
Great cheering greeted the conclusion of
Mr.. Cockran's speech. General discussion
was then resumd. Ex-senator Blair. of
New Hampshile, and VIM. Writ Howe, of
New Orleans, read short papers. Soon
afterwards. on the motion Of Congressman
John w. Gaines, of Tennessee, the con-
ference passed a vote of thanks to tn civic
Federation for the courtesy shown the Wis
ing delegates. A motion to adjourn sine
die was then passed.