The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-19
A DISTURBING FACTOR.

According to Bradstreet the one dis
turbing factor in the prevailing condition
in the commercial world is the spirit of
unrest showing itself through prevailing
labor troubles. The alarming situation
prevailing in Albany up to yes
terday, and the threatened strike
among the machinists operate to create
q feeling Of nervousness on the part of
investing capital, and interfere with
otherwise entirely favorable conditions
Considering how important a part the
question of the wages of mechanical
operatives plays in the cost of produc-
ton, it is surprising that there has been
so little of the feeling Of insecurity
which Bradstreet refers to- No accept
ed method of adjustment has yet been
agreed upon to any great extent in the
settlement of difficulties between employ
ers and employees in mechanical pursuits.
The demands of organized labor con-
tinue The organizations themselves in
crease in strength each day All ETA
forts put forward by corporations from
time to time to suppress them have
proven unavailing in all but the unskiIIed
callings. And even in such cases, only
the aid of the police and military powers
of the state and municipality has suf-
feed. Street car corporations and other
employers Of unskiIed labor determined
on destroying unions among their en-
ployes have had in every case to appeal
to the Intervention of public authority
to accomplish their end
Such a state of things as this cannot
continue. It is to all intents state of
war between capital and labor. There
can be no real security. The creation Of
a state of public and private turmoil Is
a possibility at any time. Any industry
is liable to become paralyzed in its ,ener-
gies within twenty-fodr hours.
Except the growing. tendency among
employers. and employees to agree upon
conditions of employment for specific
periods there is absolutely. nothing to
save the country at any time from
recurrence of strikes and Iockouts. Even
in cases where periodical agreements are
made the same fear of disturbance arises
at the opening of each years business
season. Men and masters approach
each other carrying concealed weapons.
There is no thought of friendIness. Each
party appears bound to get all it can
out of The other by any and every means
in its power. Each believes the other
to be unreasonable and to he bent on
its impoverishment. All that is ever
needed is the presence OF frebrand or
two among men or mas-els to render
even such agreements in any given case
impossible
Public opinion is demanding the estab-
lshment Of some recognized means of
settlement between the organizations Of
labor and employing caplcai. 1t Is not
difficult to secure It if the effort is en-
tered into on reasonable lines AS
matter Of fact each recognizes that the
other is necessary to its existence. and if
the feeling of mutual suspicion could
be removed. a great part Of the indus
trial problem would be settled.
The man or men in business or Of
fetal life who will evolve means for
dissipatins the threatening situation
which exists today in industrial life in
rhe relations of labor and capital will
render great and enduring service to
American society. The American Indus
trial league is thus far the only body
which seems at all capable of meeting the
d-iiiculties Of the situation.