The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-09-16
HOW LABOR HAS THRIVED.
FOUR YEARS or ABUNDANT WORK
AND HIGHEST WAGES
what Sound Money aud a Vigorous Foreign
Policy Have Done for the workinEman
Under This Observation-Disclosures Fig
ure, Compiled by the workinzman Himself.

ure, Compiled by the workinzman Himself.
The Republican National Committee has
issued a document entitled The Prospect Of
Labor" which shows the remarkable improve
ment which has been effected In all lines OF
labor by the laws enacted by n Republican
Congress and enforced by a Republican Pres
ident. The figures on which the document il
based were taken from the official reports Of the
labor organizations in all parts OF the country
and were compiled by the American, Fedora
ton Of Labor for its statement on Jan I, 1900.
To make the statistical tables more impressive,
two quotations from statements Of President
Gompers were printed. In 1893 MIR Gompers
said:
Since August of this year we have been in
the greatest Industrial depression this country
has ever experienced. II Is no exaRgeration to
say that more than three millions of our fellow
toilers throughout the country are without
employment and have been So since the time
named. This lamentable industrial condition
Is attributed by many to various causes. and II
seems to me that the accurate statement Of
them here l. both requisite and appropriate. 40
that we may be better enabled to so frame our
legislation that II may tend to a proper solution
OF the problem dependent upon the wage
workers for solution. Never In the history Of
the world has so large a number Of people vainly
sought for an opportunity to earn a livelihood
and contribute 70 the support Of their fellows.
In a society where such abnormal conditions
prevail there must Of necessity be something
wrong at the basic foundation"
In January, 1898. Mr.. Gompers described
the beginning Of the changed condition Of af-
fairs. which was coincident with the success
Of the Republican party at the polls In 1895,
Here is what he said in part:
The terrible period for the wage earners
Of this country which bega in 1898 and which
has left behind il such a record Of horror, hunger
and misery practically ended with the dawn OF
the year 1897. Wages had been steadily forced
down from 1898 til toward the end Of 1895, and
It was variously estimated that between two mil
lion and Two and a hnlf million wage earners were
unemployed; 1t is agreed by all that the wage
earners are the principal consumers of American
products. and II necessarily follows that a re-
duction in wages involves a diminution in the
power Of consumption, and consequently
a proportionate decrease in production. and,
naturally, also In the force OF labor required
for the production. A reduction OF wages.
Of the unemployed. and any circumstances
or combination Of circumstances that viii
check reductions IN wixeSi ana hence me dim,
humane act, based on the soundest laws OF eco
Monies and Of progress"
On Dec. II, 1899, President GomperS de-
scribed the continued prosperity OF the work
ingmen at the Detroit Convention Of the Fed
Grafton Among other things he said then:
The revival Of industry which We have
witnessed within the past year IL a subject
for general conRratulation, and II should be
our purpose IA endeavor To prolonR this era
OF more general employment and industrial
activity In this effort no power Il 50 potent
a. ORGANIZED labor, II We but follow a right and
practical course Ii l. beyond question that the
wage~ OF the organized workers have been in
creased and In many Instance the hours OF
labor either reduced or al least maintained
The report which your officers are enabled 70
submit to this convention, 50 TAR a. the growth
aud progress Of our movement during the past
year are concerned. is Of a most gratifying
character At last we are realizing some oi
the fruits Of the years Of unCea~lug sacrifice,
devotion and uninterrupted work of our fellow
unioniStS-
The growth Of Mr.. Gompers's organization
j. shown by the following table.
Enrolment Jan. /, 1900 ,....,,,.......''. l,OOi,oOo
Gain In one year D., ..,..-,...u...,... 5Oi,uOO
Local charters ISSUED. ., ,..,...'.'y l,5up
In ms Ioral and nation al unions enrolled, rs
state unions and city trades councils ...,.. l4o
Charters issued I'm 1899 ............... 2,S64
In other organizations the showing Is as re-
markaule. The 70 lowing table gives the
number Of charters issued by the various crafts
during the year ending April I, 1900: