The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-01

M1 HIcAGo is beginning to feel the
 S results of incessant labor wars.
 O There is an exodus of manufac- turers who seek cheaper sites and free dom from the unions. This state of af- fairs is an index of the workingman's power if nothing else, but it is also alarming to those who have the Windy Citys welfare at heart. For several years past manufacturing concerns have been gradually drifting away to other more desirable locations. Although their departure has caused general remark the dissatisfaction has just begun to reach a critical stage. Chicago is not only losing the corporations themselves but the workmen also, who form an im- portant part of the population The strikes carried on for the past few years and during the last twelve months, es- peoially, have been exceedingly bitter and have been stubbornly fought on both sides Each faction was supported by very good arguments, but there was also much that was unnecessary and unrea- sonable demanded from the manufactur- CTS. The people of Chicago are seriously alarmed over the present status of af- fairs. It is exceedingly hard to suggest a remedy, unless s guarantee that there will be no more strike could be given the manufacturers and disgusted laboring men who are leaving in such numbers. This seems at present to be an utter im- possibility.
 The astonishing presumption of Amer jeans is again illustrated by the purchase Of the volcano of Popocatapetl by syn dcate which proposes to convert the grim old mountain into a gigantic money making enterprise. Not content with dsfguring the volcano with huge mod ern hotel and a cog wheel railroad, a large electric plant will be erected on a neighboring peak for the purpose of gen e-ating power to operate the road, supply lights, and run machinery for getting sulphur out of the crater Elevators will be installed In the crater so that tour ists go down into the chasm and view it's wonders by eecric light Brid- ling volcano would seem to be the limit of presumption, but the natives of this enterprising country will undertake any task for money. It would not be at all surprising if Dame Nature should rise up in righteous indignation and topple the hotel over by an eruption of lava. It is hardly to be supposed that the new resort will prove very popular for nerv- ous people It is decidedly uncomforta- ble to be sleeping over a seethng, sub terranean mass of fiery liquid which is apt to be thrown into convulsion at any moment.
 Now the British generals are blaming Tommy Atkins for the woefu. blunders and mishaps that marked the operations of the English army in the Transvaal. The naughty commanders wag their knowing heads and bewail the fact that the soldiers are drawn from a low class of the population; that they ere ignorant, and compare very unfayorably with the troops of other countries This is mani festy an unjust criticism of the English soldier and one that is~rather untimely, coming from officers whose own mistakes were largely responsible for the disastrous campaign waged against the Boers. The reports made to the ministry reveal gross ineompetency on all sides. and the sug- gestion has been made that every one guilty should be promptly punisheds if it were not for the fact that honors and prizes have already been distributed. It would be a sad state of affairs if the commanders are attempting to defend themselves by laying the blame on sim pie Tommy Atkins. It is hard to see why an ignorant soldier should be such a poor warrior if he has capable officers to direct his movements Frequently the most savage and untutored troops make in domitabe fighters and are equally as successful as the better educated class when their general Is a man of military skill. For instance the negro troops i'll this country have always proven most ef- fective, especially during the recent cam paign in Cuba, because they are docile. obey orders, and believe implicitly in the ability of their officers. In justice to the