Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-08-31

suits that must follow such a combina-
ton of circumstances the day after cleo
ton.
In this county, there are not fewer
than five thousand men, usually EN-
| ployed by the Steel Trust, who are feel
ing the inconvenience of the suspension
of pay day, if not the hardships of that
suspension. Besides these five thous-
and men directly affected in their peck
cts, there are butchers, bakers, ETC., who
feel it fully as much or more. Where
trade has not ceased, it has very large
| ly gone to a credit basis, which, in
many instances is less agreeable to the
merchant than a total suspension would
be.
The politicians are wise enough to see
that the men on strike and those ham
pered by their idleness are rapidly
floating into a state of discomfort that
is not rendered less acute by the fact
that among the strikers it is self-im-
posed. Already, the men, who, a year
ago, were saying that the trusts had
given them good wages, and in most
mills, better treatment than the former
owners gave. are denouncing
Aggregntions of capital
that grow inso,ent and autocratic with
growing power and increasing means
for enforcing their will. The trust
problem is before the people more
plainly than ever before, and working
men are giving it thought and are
reading books that profess TO point out
the merits to better control these Br0b-
%dingnagian corporations. The whole
State has been flooded with pamphlets
from the Antitrust League, and other
similar bodies, and not one of them has
a kind word to say for the Republican
powers that have allowed, although In
full control of the national affairs, cap
i~talistic combinations to multiply in
numbers and strength to the ill-being
of society.
The politicians know full we'll, that
ever if the Republican party were not
blamable for the conditions that ex-
list, that party being in power IN state
and nation is the one that will suffer
from the discomfort that is growing
daily, and which can only be mendet
by the cessation OF the stringency the
strike is creating. Two weeks ago, 6
prominent member of
The Foraker Wing of the Party
in this county, wrote the Senator tell
ing him that things were in bad shape
in this county and in the tier of rivel
counties north of this, and urging hin
to use whatever influence he mign
have towards securing a settlement o
the difficulty between the workers ant
the trusts. Senator Foraker is said tt
have replied that he was not unmind
ful of the danger and that the Repub
leans are doing all in their power t.
. heal the breach. Since then, the Bel
mont county leaders have seen NOR
plainly the trend of affairs, and hav'
taken more strenuous means to brin'
before the big bosses the need for do
ing something and that quickly.
On Sunday last, by prearrangement
there was a gathering of Belmont coun
ty leaders near this city to discuss tn
situation. None of the small fry wer'
there, and some of the bigger ones VIII
are dangerously garulous were misses
when the invitations went Out. Sew
eral of them are candidates. and not
few are oficeholders. They did no
reach the place of rendezvous in
| body, nor was their coming togethe
/, known to any but themselves. The.
were not invited BIZ letter. but by per