The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-02-14
Why r THEY lDLE?

Why ARE THEY IDLE?
There has been q remarkable nan
in the Industrial situation In the Unit
ed States in the past five months. The
nation passed from the height OF pros
perity, a condition where there was
employment for everybody, where ev-
ery industry was worked to its utmost
~capacity. to one of idleness, where
scores Of factories were closed down
and where thousands of men, women
and children were facing starvation.
Had the prediction been made seven
mouths. ago that in less than half a
year such a change would take place,
the man who made the prediction
would have been considered crazy.
And the change was most sudden.
Why?
one Of the reasons is shown in an
interview credited to J. P. Morgan,
which he denies. But the interview
undoubtedly voices the sentiments OF
many Of the fnanciers, who are at
the head Of the great Industrial life
Of the nation. ut vas to teach labor
that it cannot control industry; it was
to bring about a reduction in the price
Of labor"
Another reason was the desire on
the part Of these same unAmerican
fnanciers, who would lower the stand
ard of American manhood by reduc-
ing the wages paid the workers and
consequently lower their standard OF
living, to discredit the president OF
the United States, who avowed inten-
ton OF enforcing the laws, without
regard to the political or financial.
standing Of the violator. They want
ed to show the political heads of the
nation and the workers at the same
time that the industrial kings of this
nation are supreme.
So in a time of prosperity they cut
eff the credits, they brought about
financial depression, they aroused a
feeling Of insecurity among the peo-
pie and thus caused a stringency in
the currency market by causing peo-
pie to hord their savings. They
sought to bring about hard times,
first that the administration might be
%discredited in the eyes Of the people
and blamed for the sufferings of the
families Of those WHO could not Sc
r work and consequently could not
properly provide for those dependent
upon them; and secondly, to force
the workers into a condition where
they would be willing to take less
wages.
There were stock fluctuations, fren-
zied finance, ,watered stocks, criminal
dealings, and q o Of other causes,
which incidentally assisted in causing
the depression, but when the condi-
tons Id this country are considered,
It can really be seen that they were.
only, incidental to the real cause for
the Industrial depression which swept
over the. nation--the desire on: the
parts:ef certain financial interests to
teach the president and. the. people a.
lesson: to attempt. to impress upon
them that the, financial leaders of
America were greater than. the polt-
ical leaders.
But the patriotism Of other men Of
wealth not connected with the CON
spiracy the demands, Of the people.
the action Of the federal government
In assisting to thwart q. panic, and
confidence. Of the common people
themselves, united with other causes
and thwarted the conspiracy. That
the depression is passed is evidenced
by. the resumption Of work in scores
Of factories and other industries. Con
dittons are gradually improving and
they will continue to improve.
The Gazette believes that the com.
ing year will as a result prove to be
one 81 remarkable prosperity. Espe.
cially will this be true in communi.
ties such as Billings, situated away
from the centers Of industry, where
the whims OF industrial magnates can
not affect prosperity.
Lr6hL $50 IAEL III G.E AH-LEH " -4 r