The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1909-09-28
The Aldricl Law NuSt be Repealed.


into effect Aug. 9. 1t has been
in operation a little more than a
month. Such limited time does
not afford a thorough test Of the
law, but a thorough test of the
law is not necessary to convince
most Of the people of its ultimate
result so far as they are con-
ceIned. Since the law went into
effect some things have happen
ed that are readily appreciated.
Attention is called to some of
them.
The iron and steel trade is re-
garded as the index Of business
Pig iron has advanced 50 ton
and steel is now quoted at S25.
Neither at the mines nor at the
mills have wages advanced a
cent Under impetus of the cot
ton schedule, New England man
ufacturers are charging old
mills, and building new, but flat
ly refuse to restore the ten per
cent cut in wages made in March
1903. The wooden industry is a.
gain active, but wages remain
where they have ccen for the
last ten years, while clothing has
advanced from 10 to 20 per cent
already. Hides are free. but
shoe factories compromise with
their employees, while shoes are
higher than they ever have been
The beef trust finds occasion for
advancing beef three cents on
the pound, while dairy products
and eggs are higher than ever.
There is not a denial of the fact
that the Aldrich law was framed
by trusts and combinations. The
charge was openly made on the
floor Of the Senate that cert ain
schedules were DATED by inter-
est they affected. These charg-
es We're answered cquivocably or
evaded completely. The paid a.
gents OF The spcciaI interests
had easy access to the finance
committee room, and constantly
thronged the Senate corridors:
the desire Of the people express
ed through letters to Senators
and communications to the press
got no farther than the waste
basket, unless forced upon the
Senate by 'insUrgent" members.
The enacting of the law was cell
ebrated only by its banefa:tors:
the people were unconyinced
and are less 50 now.
Of course, the favored inter
ests predicted resumption of
industry. They had to do so, to
be consistent. They had got
wat they asked for, and what
enabled them again 10 operate
their mills and plants pcofita bly,
to themselv es. Secure in their
positions, some Of them became
frank with the pub; Brutality
frank, among them ,rJminant
WOolen manufacturers who said.
Protection, why protection is
half turned to profit before it
reaches the employee That
statement supplied the KEY to
the AIdrich law, opening wide
the fact that from it the wage
earnec and consumer haze lit tie
to expect.
Inc only deduction permissible
is that the Aldrich law fayors
the trusts, combinations, geAer-
ally at the expense Of the con-
sumner. Railroads may order
millions Of dollars Of TAIL and
rolling stock; steel mills nay
work over time to Ell orders:
cotton mills and sl3, factories
mcy hum; aud wco,ou ui'.s may
run to full capacity, BIT If Labor
does not receive an ii1tcec ia
&ges or have the lcs.c living
Lowered, to what cl.A...sy to
him Mthe Aldrich l.,ol ofpro.
tectionN A tariff lly.lls mike
only q FEY men prosperous, en-
not make u men prosperous
when q few\are pr5spcrirg at
the expense Ok the ma.y andany
law which cnaNos ,l,n 20 do SO
stands I'm need Ok ameIimea
From the Atlantic to the PaciI-