The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-14
WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER IA, 1903.
THE THREAT OF LABOR.

THE THREAT OF LABOR.
Thomas / Kidd, vce-presdent Of the
American Federation of Labor. after an
investigation OF the damage suits winch
tho American Anti-Boycott Association
and Employers Association have filed
+, against trades urions within the last
three months, says that organized capl-
tai must stop It's raid on the savings
of the trades unions or the union men
will withdraw s3o0,oooO0o from the banks.
He intimated that it was within the
power of union labor to throw the coun-
try into a financial panic by taking from
circulation the $500, 100000 which he says
labor controls.
But suppose this threat should be car
ried out, what possible advantage could
It be to union labor7 Rich men might
be hurt, but poor men would be hurt
worse Men who are dependent upon
their wages for a livelihood are more
interested than capitalists in keeping the
country in prosperous condition. SO tar
as their efforts may do SO, and 1t would
be suicidal for them to do anything to
disturb business conditions.
Already it is intimated from various
sources that the present depression In
some branches of industries. notably in
the iron industry. is due to strikes and to
unreasonable demands on the part of
organized labor. A special just se.yt out
from Chicago says:
Building operations in the principal
cities of the United States have fallen
off materially during nine months OF the
current year, as compared with the record
of last year for the same period De-
mands for higher wages. strikes and at
tendant deterrents to structural activity
are given as the substantial causes. The
following table has been prepared as
showing the shrinkage in these opera
tons in the time specified:
CHICAGO NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. .Sl4.ocurU
New York (Manhattan). ......... 100 600
philadelphia ............... 100000
PittsburE observation-disclosures. 5Vp,Op
ct Paul .......... 1900. 900
MINNEAPOLIS ,.,..,........ 2,O00,0 900
ST Louis Observation-Disclosures. go. 900
WASHINGTON .................. 1000 0c0
The earnings OF the United States
Steel Corporation show marked falling
off, and there is a moro significance
in the falling off In orders on the books
for new work. "Cuthbort Mills" one Of
the most intelligent financial writer's in
New York. says that had not the almost
universal strikes stopped construction
work and unsettled allied Industries the
steel corporation would have gone along
another year, with but slightly dlmln-
fishing trade.
Several days ago. there was meeting
of the iron manufacturers of Pennsyl-
van!a at which 1t was agreed to curtail
production because there was n decrease
In the demand for the crude product.
In speaking Of the matter, Heron l.
Crane, Of the Warwick Iron Works. of
Pottstown. said:
1.-THE present overproductjon is plainly
traceable to the action Of the labor
unions. It seems as If they had con-
spired to prevent the production of iron.
There was period of healthy. prosper
Gus trade. and there was no reason why
1t should not have continued
Iron was produced: It went to the
mills. where ii was forged into struc-
turnl shapes. These have been loaded
on cars and sent to various points.
There they remain, unerected on ac-
count OF the stand taken by the labor
unions. This naturally intmidnted
contractors, and consequently structural
works are affected. They in turn shut
down, and the demand for pig iron be-
came less"
The entire Vanderbilt system OF rail-
roads has issued an order by which Is
per cent, Of the employees in the car
shops. repair shops and round houses will
be laid off indefinitely. This means that
800 men will be thrown out of en-
ployment. with hardly minutes notice,
Recently the Pennsylvania Railroad laid
off many of its employees. and 1t is clear
that there is less and less demand for
labor.
Whether or not the laboring men are
IN any way responsible for this condition
We 90 not undertake to say, but the as
sertion has been made and reiterated by
those who are in position 10 know, and
1t seems TO US that 1t would be the par,
OF wisdom for laboring men to come &c
reflection and 10 make honest investiga.
tions as 10 the truthfuness Of these
assertions. II they are true; If the labor.
Ing men themselves are depressing trade
and industry, surely 1t is time for then
OF turn about. Labor is the backbone OF
the country. The land Is prosperous wher
labor Is employed. There can be no gen
eral prosperity where the mills are idl,
and the workmen are out OF Il Job,
===-==-I-a==---
ROOSEVELT AND LONG.
ne Hon. John D, Long. who was Sec