The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-07-10


acteristlcs had n prominent place, and
when it is comprehcnded that our
movement springs from the immedi-
ate necessities of the workers. whose
environment precmdes only limited
| opportunity as yet to attain helpful
| knowledge. the wonder is that our ac-
uvitios have yielded such benetcent
results
The scheme of nature has not yet
revealed a state Of perfection, but
there is an inherent something which
accompanies every human endeavor
that guides us in the Improvement OF
our past methods. Radlcalism. in Its
accepted sense, means rapid trans
formation from the existing state to
another, and rarely accomplishes the
results predicted This can be ac-
counted for by the fact that changes
I'm human Affairs are controlled In
large part by the characteristic hu-
man instinct, which is invariably slug
glsh i'm IT'S operation, The ship
wrights In tho early part of the last
century. began an agitation for the
ten-hour day. but forty years elapsed
before the goal was reached-thus
practically 10 years have elapsed in
establishing partially the eishthour
day among the tradesmen OF our
country
The present-day necessities. how
ever, arc OF equal concern with the
achievements Of the past, and we must
predicate our future and present en-
deavorS upon the experience CLEANED
in our former efforts. 1t is not TO he
understood that antiouated methods
are TO be employed On the other
hand. il is urged that modern usages
are to be employed In the accomplish
ment of our aims. Conditions which
surround us must be carefully scru-
tinized and taken advantage of The
knowledge of the time when 10 act Is
as important factor as the courage
to act
The successful labor official of the
future must be fortified with a gen
eral knowledge OF commercial condi-
tions. with acumen sufficient 10 take
advantage Of favorable circumstances,
as well as TO be strong enough TO
check any tendency toward too much
speed and radical action.
The present industrial outlook de
mands careful! study for labor men,
The tendency today in the CONNER
cial Hold is reccSsionary and no inStl-
tuition formed BY mankind can sue
cessfUlly change the course Of the
commercial tide when recession be
gins. Commercial laws are as immu-
table as natural laws. The commerce
OF this country has made giant strides
i'm Ihe last decade and the momentum
attained was of such velocity and vol
in pursuance TO natural law horse
driven at brcakneck speed is unable
10 travel a great distance, but at Il
moderate pace will place many miles
to his credit Our commerce has trav-
eled at high speed and as a result the
reaction is at hand. The entire force
and ability of every labor official. as
well as every member Of our local
unions. should be directed toward
maintaining the conditions which now
obtain I'm the various crafts The
time is not propitious for making ad-
vances. but the unions should be
steadied by closer afhliation and inter
nal development.
Our membership cannot be diSmay.
cd by adverse court decisions or at
tacks made by antagonistic associa-
tions. for its foundation Is laid too
deep and strong in the hearts OF the
workers. But by unintelligent meth
DDS we may be temporarily hampered.
IL Is no sign of organic weakness TO
squarely face the present outlook and
take precautionary measures. On the
other hand It Is an omen of strength
for II the labor organization can ac.
quire facility in adjusting Itself to the
changing conditions, It's future is Sc
cure and greater strides can be made
in the future than have been achieved
in the past
By a study Of the commercial oc-
currences of the past IT Is noted that
the laws governing trade are natural,
a season of great activity always be-
ing followed by season Of sluggish
ness. The period OF brlskness has
been experienced in recent years. and
toe operation Of industrial enterprises
VIII now slow down in conformity with
reasons stated above The price OF
Iron IS the thermometer of commerce.
When iron is high in price we inyar-
iably find an upward trend In all oh
er commodities, with business enter
prises expanding, but when iron be-
Sins 10 sag in price It will carry with
it eventually 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 arc In a period OF falling
prices. 1t is quite true tAat reductions
have not as yet appeared generally.
but whom il is stated that The reduc-
ell price Of iron has not simulated
buying it is plain that commerce is
declining. The transition from per.
iod or cycle OF high TO low prices is
not accomplished in an erratic man.
/ ner By reference TO our former gen
eral industrial depression tae acute
stage was reached in 1893. Two or
three years prior to this, however, the
trend was downward. and when tho
bottom was reached in the wear nam
ed and commerce commenced to take
the upgrade Il required q number Of
years to again reacl normal con-
ditions.
If the logic OF events I'm the Dast
can be depended on, and every lndi-
cation points In that direction al this
time, we are within two or three wears
of a general Industrial depression. The
government deficit; the falling price
OF iron; the large number Of unem-
| plcyed; a cessation of the expanding
of enterprises and a general reduc-
ton of wages in the iron Industry.
with but few large undertakings be-
ing promoted. suggests that the slow
ing down process is upon us.
If labor organizations can but real
lze this important phase Of the gencr-
| al situation and act in accordance
herewith il will be possible to main
| tain in large part the conditions VIC