The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1909-12-16
THE GRANITE SITUATION.
Huntington Clipper.)

whoever is responsible 1Or II, the
situation in the granite district is de-
plorable. That 5000 men should
stop working at the beginning of win
ter and become idlers-non produc-
ers is a serious matter to the COM
munity. The effect is not confined
to the men themselves and their en-
ployers. 1t extends to every bus
mess concern in the territory. The
merchants of Barre and Montpelier
as well as those in the smaller places
of the territory have organized their
business with the possibilities of the
section in view. They have fitted up
their establishments with an idea to
serve the people as they desire to be
served when they are prosperous and
happy. If their establishments were
insuffioently appointed and they were
not able to care for the business of
the community, the men who are now
striking and those who have shut
down their shops would be quick to
complain.
In the present situation, however,
little is thought about the business
men not directly concerned in the
struggle. Many no doubt would go
so far as to say that they should not
be considered. We do not take that
view. We believe that they have
rights that should be regarded and
protected. Society and business are
so closely organized nowadays that
what concerns one concerns many
and no man can say that he lives for
himself alone.
When men are thrown out or en-
ployment as result of some unfor-
tunate and unavoidable accident no
people are more prompt than our
people to sympathize with them and
to give them material aid. If the
| results reach other lines of business
and the men engaged in them suffer
loss, they bear it cheerfully and VIII
lingly, reasoning that they are aid
ing the unfortunate. When, however,
idleness is enforced upon an army of
men as result OF the selfish differ
ences between employers and en-
ployees. as it is in the granite dis
trict today, it is entirely a different
matter and they are justified In pro-
testing even if they do not protest.
We do not know enough about the
situation in the granite industry to
venture an opinion as to who is to
blame the men or the companies. 1t
is safe to say in all probability that
there is blame on both sides just as
there is in every dispute from that|
which leads to fight between twoi
boys on the street to that which leads
two nations to war. AS broad print
ciple it may be safely stated that the
trouble is unnecessary and that "
should have been adjusted before the
omen breach came. All the loss that
is being entailed is needless. All the
bitterness of feeling that is being
engendered, all the suffering that IS
being endured by the families OF the
men, all the worry that is being put
upon the business men of the district
all these things are unnecessary
and foolish.
Sentiment is this country is grow
ing that war is unnecessary and that
it should not be- This is not confined
to war between nations where men
are killed but war of any sort. War
between industries which result in
the curtailment of production and
affects the supplies of the land, war
between capital and labor which af-
fects directly the wealth of the coun-
try and the happiness of its people
in any kind of war-it is the INNOCENT
which suffer most. They have nttl1
to gain, no matter how the cont9
terminates, but their loss is distir
and immediate.
Capital which employs and mel
who work have been too careless of
the rights of others in their disputes
among themselves. The time is
coming when this will not be allow
ed. Either an enlightened public
sentiment or some phase of federal
control will make a situation like
that which exists in the granite in
dustry impossible. 1t cannot come
too quickly. In the meantime the
parties to this controversy should
keep in mind the fact that they are
not the only ones interested and that
they are tampering with the rights
OF a great many others who have
!. done nothing to bring ON the trouble
and who can do nothing to settle
it.
No man may live unto himself
alone.
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