The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-01-19
SPlTEEuL PROPHETS.

SPlTEFUL PROPHETS.
1t is a remarkable coincidence that
too such men as John D. Rockefeller,
reputed to be one of the richest men
in the world, and Mr.. Leslie D. Shaw,
who is practically the financial head
of the treasury department of our gov
eminent, should select almost the
same date to voice their dolorous
croakings of impending financial de-
preston and general business dis
aster.
ANOTHER. We might add to the
two, the name of James J. Hill, thus
making a trinity Of disgruntled croak-
ers, whose prophecies are not based
upon any evidence present or pros,
pective
SURVEY OF THE SITUATION.
The absurdity and baselessness Of
their predictions will at once be ap-
parent upon a moments consideration
of present conditions. Q) The treas
ury Of the United States is overflow
ing with coin and the balance Of trade
is largely in our favor. Every indica-
ton at home and abroad points to a
steadily increasing export trade for
years to come. (2) The unprece-
dented crops of the year 1906 have
practically congested the railroad traf-
fic of the country to degree, which
according to Jim Hill, himself, has
disarranged all schedules, and the
railroad corporations have been COM
PEELED to give orders for rolling stock
which amount to hundreds of millions.
CD Our resources are boundless, and
our prosperity is absolutely without
limit. The morning of Industrial rev.
olution, and of just compensation to
the millions who produce prosperity
is only just in it's dawn. The great
Industries Of our country today are
not able to satisfy the demand for
their products, at home, to say moth
ing of the demand abroad. AS was
we'll said in last Sundays Chicago
American: 1--WE don't need to worry
about the wealth or prosperity of this
country" Mr.. Rockefeller need give
himself no uneas1ness over the prod.
igal impulses now prevailing in the
national life"
MOTIVES. We do not have to 20
very far, or be very keen of observa-
t1on or Intuition to know what mo-
t1ves are actuating Mr.. Rockefeller in
prophesying evil for his countrymen,
If they had only suffered him to con-
tinue to pillage and rob them, without
protest or restraint, all would be we'll,
and we never would have heard one
word Of his pessimistic forebodings.
But the people have called a halt on
his dishonest and remorseless machi-
nations, and he feels sore, very sore,
at being interfered with. He is trying
to retaliate in the only way that he
can, by saying mean resentful things
about the people who put a stop to
his stealings. That's all there is to it.
JIM H1LL-He has also undergone
some discipline, and in consequence is
somewhat disgruntled, and a trifle
v1ndictive. He is mighty shrewd
however, and takes good care to con
ceal his motives by making his spite
full utterances do duty in the middle
OF some paragraph pertaining to a sub
ject plausible enough for discussion
In that respect he is cutter than Rock
efeller. But alas for both, the presen,
: generation can't be fooled any moro
, LESLIE D. SHAW.-As a membe,
} of the cabinet he sang his "swa,
song" in speech before a gatherin,
} Of rich manufacturers. He was ius
. idiotic enough to say that a continu
ance of our present unparalleled con
ditions would necessarily end in dis
: aster, and that we should pray HEAVIER
l. to save the nation from it's prosperity
: You better be careful Mr.. Shaw. Tn
, time has gone by when officials of tn
government can, with IMMUNITY, cor
spire or connive With unscrupulou