The Tucson citizen., 1902-07-19

ucts than they have had in recent years,
but they are not receiving the still
higher prices now, because they have
no grain to sell The spectators have
it. The cotton crop. which is one OF
the foundations upon which national
prosperity must rest, has been fairly
up to the average, and has commanded
good prices. Factories are running
full time, and there seems to be no
reason for any compulsory idleness
among working people, Foreign trade
has grown. and there is 4 good demand
so far for the output Of the factories.
And yet, in the face of all these
things. which are supposed to consti-
tute an era Of prosperity, there is an
unrest and dissatisfaction in the ranks
of labor throughout the land which IS
strangely at variance with what We eX-
pect in prosperous times. Almost
every day brings its news of new
strike. of capital arrayed against labor
and labor against capital of employer
and employe confronting each other in
hostile array. Labor is dependent up
on capital for employment, and yet n
more than one instance the militia has
been called out TO protect property
from the laborers
What is the cause of this unra ST.
The wild ass does not bray when he
has grass, and the OK does not low
over his fodder. A laboring man does
not throw down his tools and engage in
a strike for diversion. 1t is a serious
step for him to take, and he knows IT,
He knows that in the best of times ne
seldom receives enough to lay by any
thing for a rainy day, but lives from
hand to mouth He knows tha: 10
engage in a strike and stop his Gaily
wage means to deprive his family Of
almost the necessaries of life for a
season. and to put hardship and suf-
fering upon his wife and children. as
we'll as upon himself. 1t may be very
true that sometimes labor strikes are
begun without sufficient cause. and arc
ill-advised. But the idea that, as a
rule, they are causeless may be dis
missed as incorrect. 1t is a serious
business. and the strikers understand
it as such.
Il is estimated that the cost Of the
necessaries of life has advanced 20 per
cent in three years. That Is to soy
that the laboring man who three years
ego could buy enough food to last his
family day for 81. must now pay FL 20
to buy the same amount Those who
were receiving three years ago just
enough to live on. if cir wages have
not been mere ased in the mean.lme
ara n)w receiving less than enough 10
live on. Therefore there is now N
rest III the RI nkS of labor. In some If
the industries wages have been in
creased. and where such an increase
has been made it has been widely her
aided as an evidence not only Of pros
perity, but of generosity as we'll.
There have. however, been only COM
paratively a few OF such announce
ments.
The advance in the cost of living and
ho
have been due largely to the rise of the
trust or combine. The object of The
combine. as the combiners themselves
say, is to cheaper the cost of produc-
ton. That this object is attained
there can be no doubt. and it is at
tained largely at the expense of labor.
After the cost of producing an article
is provided for. the price of that ar
ticle is advanced, and the corporation
proceeds to put into its pocket the ad-
vance of price. as we'll as the saving
in production. 1t has recently been
announced that of proposed issue OF
bonds by the United States steel trust
as much as $4,000. 900 IS to be paid to
}. Pierpont Morgan's banking fiouse for
financing" the transaction. This ten
million does not give one laborer in
that industry employment for single
day, 1t does not add to the plant of
the concern, or make provision fo. IN
creAsing the number of laborcr3 en-
ployed. And yet the annual interest
upon that vast sum must be wrung
from the sweat of the employees of the
Real national prosperity must rest
upon the contentment and happiness of
the laborer and farmer 1t does NOT
increase the common welfare. il does
not advance the nation, for a few To be
enabled to sail around the world IN
yachts while the masses of the peoDIo
are crying for bread
III fares the land, to hast ming ills
prey,
Where wealth accumulates and mar
decay.