The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-07

In many important respects the interests
of labor are identical throughout the United
States. Thanks to national legislation, pro-
lection of American industry, the efforts of
organized labor and the general similarity
of economic conditions, wages average
about the same in all parts of the country.
There is also general similarity in the labor
legislation Of the different States, though
not all are as advanced in this respect as
Indiana. But for some reason or other this
State has been particularly favored in the
general contentedness of its workingmen
and in its freedom from serious labor con-
troversies, and especially from strikes and
lockouts. Perhaps there is something in
the local atmosphere that is conducive to
reasonableness and unfavorable to strife.
However that may be. it is doubtful if any
other State with anything like as many
wage earners has been as free from labor
troubles during the last few years as In
diana, or any other city as Indianapolis.
This is the more remarkable because dur
ing the last few years the manufacturing
interests have grown by leaps and bounds,
causing a large addition to the population
of the State of persons who had never
worked together before. From 1890 to 1900
the number of manufacturing establish
ments in the State increased from 12,34 to
1905, and the total number of persons en-
ployed in them from ITO, $50 to is, $50. OF
course, these figures include only a small
proportion of the persons engaged in man
ual labor, but they constitute a consider
able element. While the population of In
diana increased Is per cent. from 1890 to
1900, the number of wage earners increased
Al per cent. during the same period. In
this city the number of manufacturing
establishments increased from 1,1S9 in 1880
to 1910 in 1900, and the average number Of
wage earners from 16,027 to ISL. 1t is sur
prising that this rapid growth was not ac-
companied by more friction. From Janu-
ary, 1881, to December, 1900, there were in
Illinois 1910 strikes, affecting $50, 500 en-
ployes; in Ohio 1871 strikes, affecting Ais, 651
employees; in Pennsylvania 2.S46 strikes. af-
fecting 1,66G,Oi3 employees, and in Indiana
SOP strikes, affecting 132. Si4 employees. Dur
Ing tie SAINT ptTlOu tHeIc were ~ 1illuOla
So lockouts, affecting 132, 900 employees: in
Ohio 50 lockouts, affecting 20,Ss6 employees;
in Pennsylvania III lockouts. affecting ST.
AS employees, and in Indiana 16 lockouts,
affecting 2,432 employees. OF all the strikes
that occurred in the United States during
the period named. IL per cent. occurred in
Illinois. Z per cent. in Ohio, II per cent. in
Pennsylvania and 2 per cent. in Indiana.
Making due allowance for all other condi-
lions, the figures seem to show better re-
lations between capital and labor in this
State and less disturbance among wage
earners than in the other States. The con-
dition is one for general congratulation.
Strikes and lockouts are serious Interrupt
tions to the productive industries of a State
or city. and sometimes result in permanent
disaster. Admitting that they are some
times unavoidable, all must agree that il
is better to avoid them if possible. Organ
lied labor has done much for this State
and city, and it is to be hoped its influence
may continue to be exerted for industrial
peace.