The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-09
Takes Issue With Mir. Nelson
 and Others
COST OF LIVING IS HIGH
MT. Nelson Had Nothing to Give Out Yesterday, But Said He Would Have Something to Say at
 Later Date.


 in Birmingham and the district.
 When seen yesterday afternoon MT. Nelson stated that he did not care at that time to give out an interview in re- ply to statements made by local leaders with reference to the resolution. He said. however, that he would consider the mat ter and would have something to say at later time.
 The card of MT. B. IL Ryder is as fol- lows;
 Mr. Ryder's Card.
 To the Editor of The Age-Herald;
 Kindly allow me space in the columns of your paper to join the ranks of my comrades who have preceded me in re- plying to the resolution introduced in the Commercial club, Friday afternoon, the 9th inst, by Mir. Frank Nelson, Jr.
 The resolution has brought about ex- 1 tensive comments among the laboring class, and I am very much pleased to note the many replies being given. The resolution and comments given by MT. Nelson, and members of the Commercial club, are calculated to place organized labor below the sphere In which 1t is sailing and poison the minds of the read ing public against organized labor. I take occasion to arrest, if possible, any im- pression made by this unealled-for resou- ton. In doing so 1t is not my purpose to create a newspaper controversy, nor assail the character of MT Nelson. nor any member of the club l simply desire to state facts as they exist In the city and district surrounding Birmingham
 Both Capital and Labor.
 In the first paragraph the gentleman claims this district requires both capital and labor to mantaIn the city of Bir- mingham and assure its future prosperity and progress 1t is clearly evident that | capital seems to be the dominant idea advanced by the resolution, and can be secured If the Commercial club can lnau- gurate some method by which the high price paid labor can be reduced; that | feature alone he claims is barring the 1 entrance of capital from our midst, and causing them to locate their industries in l Chattanooga, Atlanta and Columbus, Ga. | 1t would have been well for the gentle man to have first investigated the price of living in the above aaities, and com- pare results before bringing before the eyes of the public such an unfortunate l accusation. If MT. Nelson can prevail up on the club to devise ways and means of inducing property owners to reduce ex- horbitant prices in house rent and the other commodities of life, the skilled la bor of Birmingham would willingly sub init to an equalization of wages paid in the above named cities But so long as the rent of a broom cottage is $25 and water priveleges extra. Wages, of sure ty. must remain in line or the laborer will | come out in debt at the end of each month and will soom emigrate to cities | where the necessities of life can be pro- cured at a more reasonable rate. In my native city, Columbus, Ga, can be rent ed a broom cottage with all modern con- veniences and water prlveeges thrown in, for the sum of $l4 per month.
 Room for Many More.
 Birmingham Is a city of immense magni- tude, with many thriving industries o1 long standing, situated In the heart of the crude material adapted to their sev- eral wants. and yet there Is room for many more. and the labor organizations are ready 10 extend the welcome hand to all capitalists who will invest in enter prises in our midst. But If the present wages paid skilled labor is a barrier. we are ready 10 give you the parting hand with best wishes for your success in oth- CT localities.
 Many years less than a half century Birmingham was an open field under cul- tivation, but the development of her min eral resources encouraged the investment of capital, and with the aid of skilled labor Birmingham Is where she is today, the Pittsburg of the south. Capital of America might have concentrated here in full force, but would have amounted to nothing if the gates of entrance had been closed to skilled labor. Therefore, in the eyes of Justice give credit where credit belongs, and let not the condemna- ton of the reading public be hurled against organized labor who are today the backbone and slnew of any munich pality or the country at large.
 outgrowth of Parryism.
 It seems to me the resolution is the f,trff ,sf mind of MT. Nelson, and has aroused flaming desire in others who would, If possible, place skilled labor on a par with unsltlled labor in order that invested capital might accrue larger dividends. But skilled labor is organized, and stands together as q unit and All efforts put forth by Mir. Nelson and his colleagues for the interest of capital to the over throw of organized labor Is utterly use less. for we are here to stay, bullded upon a firm foundation, and our motto Is fraternity and protection.
 The interest in the citizens alliance Is decreasing very materially, while organ | ized labor is increasing daily, who be- lieve in arbitration, not strikes, only as the last resort and while our community unfortunately has had to pass through | such a dsagreeable experience not one charge of personal violence can be laid at the door of any striker. and to appro- | priate the language of carrol D. Wright, strikes grow out of increased intelligence. Fools. say he. do not strike, it is only men who have intelligence enough to recognize their condition that make use of this best resort as Il remedy We stand in defense. not defiance. which has been built upon the solid rock of con l servatism
 Natural Product.
 The trade organization Is a natural product of inter-relationship arising among human beings who come together in towns and cities. and is not the re- suit of short experience, TOT Josephus. the Jewish Historian tells us there were | trades unions among the Jews and Pho enicians 1900 years ago; and also Plu- | tarch. 1s00 years ago, tells of them in Greece. Roman soldiers subdued, organ ized labor built the Roman Empire, union men will build the future of America. | When organized labor ceases to exist among our people our nation will pass into memory, as Rome has done. Our union may be forced to kneel before a wave of commercial depression but they will rise against Gas after a period of resD and step upward into new honor and new power. B. H. RYDER,
 Business Agent Machinists Union.