Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1909-05-14

"A fsnff Made City What it does for
its Werkmen.n she means Pittsburgh,
and the burning Indignation which
she shows is founded on two facts-
first, Pittsburgh is city whose cher
inds stries are bullded on high tariff;
second, recent investigation shows
the most awful condition OF poverty
and overwerk among Pittsburgh work
lug men. Miss Tarbell ,hen goes on:
among the worst illustrations of
these typical conditions are certain
properties owned by the very corpora
lions who are reaping wealth from the
term protected products. These bsne-
nciaries OF the generosity Of the Amer
lean people, these gentlcmcn who when
they see the taxation In their interest
threatened hold up the Iaborer and b is
goodasa reason for continuing 1t, what
do they say when these conditions are
pointed out TO them;--'we dent wart
to go into housing business. We are
not real estate dealers.
We may be forced to build houses ia
certain new districts in srdsr to attract
and hold labor, but in an old, settled
community let the iaboring man take
care OF himself. We don't believe In
paternalism.
"ihey have no more interest In pre-
serving the lives of the men who do
the terrible toll necessary to toher
wealth than in glving them decent
housing. For years the death rate from
typhoid fever In Pittsburgh ha. been
the highest Of any city la the civilised
world. Everj body knew II. Every
body knew why. There was no supply
Of pure drinking water. A filtration
plant was needed. Did any Pitts
bursh millionaire offer to build tin.
sist that the industries which called
the vast army OF labor 10 Pittsburgh
should build 1t? No, they left cor.
rupted ely government to fgst over
the appropriations for the W ork and
scattered in endowments and in institu-
ton IN other cities and other states,
many times the five million needed In
Pittsburgh TO save the lives OF the
workmen. They hold up To the world
for admiration, their love OF great ma
terial problems--tAey argue with the
American people That their skill In
solving these problems is good and
sufficient reason for continuing gen
eral taxation in their favor. But
problem which worked ont would
benefit nobody but the humble two
dollar-a-dsy man who sweats cut his
life IN the heat of their profitable fur
naces does not interest them. II might
SAVIOR Of paternalismi
"fhis Pittsburgh Survey IL the most
awful arraignment of an American in
stitution and its resulting cla,s pro-
neuneed since the days of slavery
1t puts upon the Pittsburgh million
aire the awful stamp of Greed, OF Stu
pidity and heartless Pride. But what
should we expect Of him? Heis the
creature of special Privilege which
for years he has not needed. He has
fought for 1t because he. fattencd on
it.ss He must have it because have it
for labor. But look at bin and look
at bis laborer and believe him If you
can.
Justice. takes a. terrible revenge on
those who thrive by privilege. She
bl'nd DIS their eyes until they no longer
see human misery She dulls their
hearts until they no longer beat with
She Der umbs their senses
until they respond snIy to a.
narrow horizon Of what they can indi-
vidually posscss, touch, feel She
makes, as she has in Pittsburgh,
generation of mon and women who
day by day can pass hundreds OF tum-
bled down and filthy homes, in which
the men aud women whe make their
wealth live, and feel no shock; who
can know that deadly fsvers and
diseases which are preventable are WHIP
ing out hundreds Of those who do their
tasks, and raise no hand. Little child
rem may Ole or grow up stunted and
evil within their sight and ne penny
of their wealth, no hour Of their leis-
urs ~ given them. Women may pass
hours Of ineeshant toll and die broken
and unhonored within their sight, and
they rate no hand. Wealth which
comes by Privilege kills. The curse Of
Justice ON those whe will not reeog-
nized injustice is the sudden mind,
the culied vision, the unfeeling heart.