Evening journal., 1907-01-21
Monday, January 81, 1907.
UNoRcAN1zED THEY ARE HELPLESS.

UNORGANIZED THEY ARE HELPLESS.
TN MARKED contrast with the Pusey and
4 Jones Company Harlan and Hollingsworth
Corporation, Belts Machine Company, Charles
Warner Company and other manufacturing con-
Germs OF our city in sharing with their employees
their present prosperity and big earnings, is the
action Of one of the largest manufactures in our
city, which few days ago promptly discharged
an employe for starting petition asking for an
increase OF wages. That concern, il we are cor
rectiy informed has been and is now making a
larger per cent of proht on its enormous output
of textile goods than is made BY any other mill,
factory or mandatory in our city. The New
England manufacturers in the same business
have granted increases of wages averaging about
20 per cent. to their 175,ooo operatives. That
big increase was possible and justified by the far
greater proportionate increase the employers are
receiving for the manufactured products, and
such increase was necessary because Of the higher
cost of living
To some extent the New England employers
may have yielded to that better spirit OF wanting
those who produce their increasing wealth to
share in the prosperity. Cotton fabrics Of all
kinds have increased from rs to 100 per cent. in
the last few years, and the employers OF labor on
cotton goods can we'll afford to make substantial
increase of wages to their workmen. A large
concern in this city employing many hundreds
of men, women and children is reapng an enor-
nous harvest from the great demand and high
prices received for their products We are in
formed that the scale OF wages paid is abour the
same as ten years ago, and considering the pres
ent increased cost of living is on a starvation
basis The president of the concern. which cam
not afford to grant even small increase of wages
10 its employees and promptly discharged one Of
its men for agitating the matter of higher wages,
we are informed is paid a salary of 100000 a
year twice as much as the President of the
United States, and other officers salaries are in
like proportion
How is it possible that in these times manu-
featuring concern can pay its head, in addition
to a very large dividend on his stock holding, an
annual salary of 100000, and make its employees.
many Of whom have large families work for
$40 week? There is something wrong, not
only in the heart and soul OF the employer, but in
the heads Of the employees. The whole trouble is
that the employees have not studied their condi-
ton and organized themselves as body to stand
together for their rights and to defend them
selves against wrongs. The New England man
ufacturers increased wages not solely because
they were able to do So but because the employees
were organized and therefore able to demand and
enforce their rights Would New England
cotton goods manufacturer have dared to dis
charge one Of his employees for discussing with
his fellow workmen the question Of fair wages
Never Why? Because his employees are or
ganized to protect each other, and such an out
rage would have been met by every employe
quitting work and stopping the mills.
There can be no longer any question as TO the
advantage to workingmen of their being organ
lied. The manufacturers and employers are
banded together to keep wages as low and prices
Of their products high as possible Against
the unfair treatment and impositions OF the en-
ployers the worldngman can protect himself, Sc
cure consderate treatment and fair wages only
by organization. We venture the statement tha
in those cases where wages have been increased
nine-tenths Of the employees have been organized
and in those cases where higher wages have beer
refused and men discharged for making the re
quest the employees are unorganized. Does no
that fact teach its own powerful lesson to every
workingman, not only in this city, but any othe
place in the world1