Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-04

Considerable discussion has been
raised recently throughout the labor
world with regard to the statement
made in Chicago not long ago to the
effect that the employing class. are
cutting off the workman who has
reached the age of As as they regard
him no longer as available material to
properly meet the demands that are at
present being made in the present rush
for commercial and industrial suprem-
acy. An article which appeared in the
last number of. the Cigar Makers
Journal with regard to this matter is
OF considerable interest to the labor
ing people and treats the subject in
the following manner:
If there is desire on the part of
the employing class to get rid OF, a
workman after he has reached and
passed the age of % years, it is large
ly due to the desires of a money-mad
people to become possessed of great
wealth. Social snobbery. aristocracy
measured by dollars and cents and UNI
satiable greed are contributary forces.
The recent rapid Introduction of i'm
proved machinery and new ideas into
trade and commerce is also RESPONSE
Bile. What sad commentary it is on
our present civilization that honest,
loyal citizen whose labor, skill and in
uustry have made our country the
greatest known, should be told at the
prime of life that there is no more
work for them; that they can steal,
beg Or live on charity. And those who
reap the profits are hiring houses at
an enormous cost on streets adjacent
to where King Edward will be crown
ed. Tits is edifying to the "old man"
who at the age of As years can look for
ward to q residence in the county poor
house. %
Are Living Too Fast.
Perhaps we are travelling too fast
in the mad rush for commercial and in
dustrisl supremacy, and who knows
but that some day we may reap not the
full rounded life of Industrial, social
and commercial contentment, but in
stead shall harvesta spent life, wreck
ed on the altar of mammon and selfish
greed. While believing inindustria and
commercial progress consistent with
the needs of great people, we unhes-
itatingly say that progress in that di-
rection which calls for the sacrifice of
honest worlingmen and women for no
other cause except the crime of having
managed to remain alive until they
reach the age Of As years is burning
shame and disgrace to American civ
| iliZation!
Mans Condition Most Important.
question is one that Gale for the
serious consideration of all thoughtful
citizens. We OF the trade union school
of thought and philosophy hold that
human beings and their conditions all
| through life rs of more importance
than the piling up Of mere sordid dol
lars that have been ground from the
masses. Great financial fortunes built
with the bones Of premature old men
and cemented with the life blood of in
nocent children may dazzle and seem
great, but it isn't substantial civiliza-
tion and cannot stand.
Seek Cheap Labor.
Some have proposed the idea of gov
eminent pension for the natural bread
gentleman wants to do something or
If the government is to take hand in
this matter let them urge a law that
will drive the children out of the fac
tories and into the schools. The great
trouble just now is that these corpor.
atoms and captains of industry are
looking for cheap labor. To cur mind
it is not SO much question whether a
man at the age of 45 years is capable
of going ahead but rather the one OF
cheap labor. The real trouble is that
improved machinery instead of being