The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-29
CAMPAIGN OF
EDUCATION
Necessary to Resist Wage Reductions Threatened
Present Industrial Out Look and
Court Decisions.
Campaign of Agitation and Organization Should
be Promoted with Renewed Interest To-
in the Labor Movement

mayed by adverse court decisions
or attacks made by antagonistic
associations, for it's foundation is
laid too deep and strong in the
heart of the workers. But by I'M
intelligent methods we NAV be
temporarily hampered. 1t is no
sign of organic weakness to square.
ly face the present outlook and
take precautionary measures. On
the other hand, it is an omen Of
strength. for if the labor organi-
cation can acquire facility in ad-
Justlng itself to change conditions
its future is secure and greater
strides can be made in the future
than have been achieved in the
past.
by study Of the commercial oc-
currences of the past is noted that
the laws governing trade are
natural, a season of great activity
always being followed by a
season OF sluggishness. The
period Of briskness has been ex-
perienced in recent years, and the
operation of industrial enterprises
Will now slow down in conformity
with reasons stated above The
price of iron is the therm ometer of
commerce. when iron is high in
price we invariably find an upward
trend in all other commodities,
with business enterprises expand
ing, but when iron begins to sag
in price it will carry with it event
ually all other commodities This
is not theory, but is sustained by
history.
During the past few months iron
has fallen in price, which indicates
that we are in a period of falling
prices. 1t is, quite true that re.
ductions have not as yet appeared
generally, but when it is stated
that the reduced prices of iron has
not stimulated buying it is plain
that commerce is declining. The
transition from period or cycle
of high to low prices is not ac-
complished in an cratic manner.
BY reference to our former gen
eral industrial depression the
acute stage was reach in 1898.
Two or three years prior to this,
however, the trend was downward
and when the bottom was reached
in the year named and commerce
commenced to take the upgrade it
, required number OF years to
again reach normal conditions.
If the logic of events in the past
can be depended on, and every
indication points in that direction
at this time, we are within two
OF three years of a general indus.
trial depression. The government
deficit; the falling price Of iron; the
large number of unemployed; 4
cessation Of the expanding of enter
prises and Il general reduction of
wages in the iron industry, with
but few large undertakings being
promoted, suggests that the slow
ing down process is upon us.
If labor organizations can but
realize this important phase Of the
general situation and act in ac-
cordance Herewith it will be pos
sible to maintain in large part the
conditions we have so valiantly
fought for. But we forget or re-
fuse to take cognizance of prevail
ing conditions serious consequences
will follow. From this time on
during the coming few years it
should be the constant aim of
every labor official to promote
good fellowship in the movement.
avoiding conflicts wherever pos
sible, and by all means RELOCATING
jurisdictlonal questions. There
are many ques tons, it is true.
which require settlement-prim-
arlly that of two organizations in
rha ~,