The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-07-08
LABOR AND PROSPERITY.

general and sustained prosperity in
this country, the craze to strike Is in
ereasing. Labor appears to be unreas-
onably restless. II manifests this in
every large city and the disposition is
assuming dimensions that strike terror
ID the hearts Of business men and all
taxpaying citizens. Labor leaders
seem to be imbued with the idea that
this is the right time for the present.
alton Of extravagant, If not arrogant
demands.
II they are wise. they viii hasten to
adopt a different attitude. If they have
any regard for their own interests. they
win drop all presumptious pretentions
and cultivate the best of relations with
employers. This. for them. is an ideal
" poor lime to go onstrikes. Working
men simply injure their own interests
BY the adoption of an attitude which
tends only to rouse anxiety in the finan
cial and commercial world. Authora-
tive observers are expressing opinions
which indicate that they are fearful OF
the approach Of sharp business reac-
ton. Rampageous strikes will only
accelerate this approach. because they
have q natural tendency to intimidate
capital and enterprise.
The present obstreperous spirit Of la
Dor is the result OF speculative pros
perity. II it is not curbed in time Il
win. undoubtedly. also mark the cui-
mination Of this prosperity. perma-
nently hurt the legitimate business in
terests Of the country. Labor leaders
can do a great deal towards postponlnS
the advent Of another severe business
depression. They have nothing to gain
by creating feelings of bitterness pc
tween employers and employees The
welfare OF the latter cannot be found
in methods calculated to terrify the en-
fire BUSINESS community. Labor mas
suffered much wrong in the past. II
has. in the past two decades greatly
improved its position, and generally en-
loyed the sympathy Of right thinking
people. It must beware, however, o.
crossing the Rubican which divides con
seryatism from revolution. II must
heware of the adoption of measures
vioIently in conflict with our political
institutions and laws, and designed %
hand the sovereignty Of government
over to a set Of men, which. WHINE
honestly and rightly striving still more
to better its economic position, makes
the chastity mistake of assuming that
whoever and whatever Is not in accord
with its pet theories and demands
,,,,,zt nerforce be wrong, and for this
reason. be fought and suppressed.
There should not and there must no'
u i disastrous conflict between labor
and capital in this country. In the ias'
few years employers have made many
ooncassions. They have increased
.,,o,tened the hours OF employ
n,ent and generally evinced a mos
eonciliatory and accommodating spifi'
towards their employees. II they ar
now determined to make no further cof
cessions. they must have cogent reasons
Tor It They may fairly be presumed
u he better informed OF actual con
ditions and prospects than are tne,
workingrnen. The general strikes thi'
year throughout this country have ha'
decided tendency to sap industr'a
foundations. The trouble Is that I'M
,nost of the strikers have not the vag
nest idea of the extent Of the inJur'
they are doing themselves. Wna' az
yantages they may seem to gain are Il
the main, temporary and illusory.
strikes are both foolish and fafuous
and particularly so in this country
where political institutions cannot 7"
supposed to favor one class at the eA
pense Of another. In the course OF tim
he American workingman wiil nifIisei
come to the conclusion that econom
warfare hurts him more than anyon
else, and that IT is within his poWe
10 destroy as well as to create weaitn
il is by the pursuit Of peaeeabie meth
cas, by an insistence upon his mrs
rights in lawful and reasonable nFai
ner ina not BY a brutal display Of fore
and hatred, that he can expect to a.
tain to that degree Of economic wei
being which advancing civilizaho
promises and justly owes him.
PATRIARCH OF CONGRESS.
49,. q, sanafot Allison.