Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-08-11
VIEWS OF henry CLEWs.


NEW YORK, August 10.--Wall stree,
has been almost entirely dominated
by the great steel strike. the steel
stocks themselves having discounted
the influence more perhaps than the
general market. This shows how seri-
ously capital views the question nj is
sue. The struggle Is not for wages
or hours The men are generally well
employed and are earning good wages;
hence there is little suffering except
what is self-inficted, and the strikers
have thus far received little public
sympathy except from the radical ele-
ments of trades unionism. The strik-
ers wish to compel the steel manage
ment to employ union men at some OF
its mills. whether It Will or no II aims
to solidify labor into trust of the
mightiest and most tyrannical sort, and
deprive employers OF their rightful lib
erty to employ union or non-union
labor as they see ft: 10 compel non
union men to join forces OF lose their
occupation. In short. IL aims to do
nothing less than run the mills them
selves, and assume dictatorship more
tyrannical and dangerous than that
ever conceived by any combination OF
capital. II successful there would be
a wholesale migration of capital. There
may be some trade combinations which
possess Objectionable features. but
none whose managers have given
thought to such unjust measures as
the Amalgamated Association is at
tempting.
The right of labor to organize is free
ly admitted. and labor leaders must
learn that employers have the right to
utilize union or non-nnion labor as
they see fit. 1t Is a mistake to say the
life of unionism Is at stake In this
struggle; should the strike fail. as 1t
probably will unions will exist as be-
fore, but their attempt to wrest con-
troll from the owners OF property must
be defeated or the country would face
. crisis and depression too dangerous
to be contemplated Labor Is sadly in
need OF wise and capable leaders. II
has suffered grievously from reckless
and malicious demagogues. men who
for their own ends preferred to stir up
envy and strife to seeking fair play and
mutual respect between employer and
employee. OF late labor has put forth
as leaders men who meant well and
men whose personal character was be-
yond reproaeh, but they have not been
men OF high order OF business or ex
ecutive ability. Usually they are sen
timentalists and signally untitled by
nature to lead in matters 80 complex
and practical as those surrounding the
modern industries. Strikes rarely sue
coed; they accomplish less than any
other method. In the vast majority OF
cases they inture rather than benef1t
the workingman, and labor's chief
progress In the way OF wages and
hours has been through the path of
rational negotiation. II there were
more leaders with the ability and wis
dom of Chief Arthur. of the Engineers
Brotherhood, our Industrial history
would contain fewer dark spots than
1t does; and better relations would ex-
ist between capital and labor. The
more harmonious these become the
better for the country at large, and
public opinion should denounee those
who embitter the differences between
employer and employe. Both sides
would gain by working on basis OF
mutual respect and fair play.
The stock market continues in a
waiting attitude. Beyond crop and
labor troubles there is little to say. The
money market is In an easy condition,
and likely to remain SO until crop and
trade requirements begin to be felt.
The demand on speculative account 10
limited, and liquidation has undoubt-
eddy helped to swell the bank reserves.
There is some talk of gold exports.
which however cannot be very heavy
with the outward movement Of cotton
and grain close at hand. We are al
ready shipping heavy quantities OF
wheat to meet foreign requirements. /
Gold from the Klondike has been COM
ing in considerable quantities, and the
African mines will soon be resuming
operations on a scale OF increasing
consequence There is no reason for
anxiety concerning the future. The
market is resting from period OF ex
cessive speculation. and prices are set
Ting down to more normal conditions.
Quotations were~fn many cases I'M
reasonably high, and. If they are al
lowed TO drift to still lower. basis, 1t |
will only make the subsequent recov-
cry the more substantial.