The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1917-01-19


Trouble Breeders and Agitators.
A better public understanding and
appreciation Of the needs and problems
Of our American industries Is conceded
on every side to be one Of the impor-
tant national requirements for the de-
velopment Of our future industrial
prosperity. Few people seem to IN
derstand that the majority of our busi-
ness men are fair minded, reasonable
beings, legitimately engaged I'm the de-
velopment of our economic resources.
In the opinion OF our business lead
ers this misunderstanding leads the
public, through the legislators, into
thoughtless and unnecessary acts of
reprisal against all branches OF indus
try, which are often inimical to the
best interests of their own community.
To cure this lamentable condition 1t Is
cooperative action for the common
good be established between en-
ployees and employers. The first step
In this direction is to eliminate the
selfish, destructive agitator. This hap
by event would greatly facilitate a
general get together spirit among en-
ployers and workers.
The Work That Men Do.
The nation is confronted with more
work than ever before-ships to build,
factories to enlarge, railways to COM
plete, new foreign business to be at
tracted and help to be extended to the
unfortunates on the other side. There
are about30, O00.OO0men at work If they
work ten hours a day that is 100000
600 hours a day or 96,600,000O00 hours
a year. If they work eight hours 1t Is
74,SSO,OO0,000, or a difference Of 49,
720,0OO,0O0 hours q year. At eight
hours q day this means that about
100000 more men must be employed
to do the work that could be done by
the 100000. and where are they to
come from?
During the past year there has been
a unified and standardized banking cur
rency system tried and not found
wanting. But there are yet other steps
to be taken before the ideal OF eco
nomic unit is worked out
There are 662,O0O stockholders OF
railroads In the United States. A large
proportion of them depend on the earn
ings of the carriers for a meager in
come. Many Of these stockholders
have less than $1,000 a year income,
and they are unable to earn more, be-
ing elderly persons or women. Thou
sands Of them are former employees of
the railroads who depend upon their
stock dividends to pay their rent and
their grocery bills.
Labor and Capital Are Partners.
The manufactured output OF the
United States amounts to $4,000, 0O0,-
900 in value per annum. This Is three
times the amount Of the yearly output
of the ranches, farms, orchards and
gardens; It is a dozen times the output
Of the mines; it is larger than the COM
bined manufactures of any two for
eign nations. Labor received, as its
share of the fruits of industry. wages
amounting almost to seven billion dol
lars In the single year of 1914 Does
not this prove that the interests OF
employees are joint with those who
employ them and that a real partner
ship exists?
Today there are over 100,OOO,OO0 peo-
pie in the land who must be fed,
clothed, sheltered, kept warm and
many of whom travel for health, pleas
ure and business. The railway systems
are in many places overtaxed in doing
this work
What will be the conditions when
there are 15O,OOOOOO people to be
served?
This means an addition Of at least so
per cent to the number Of tons of
freight moved one mile and the num-
Der of passengers moved one mile.
There was a total mileage of Al ,9SS
in the hands OF receivers in 1915, the
total capitalization OF which was 81
264, 100000. In that year alone 20,143
miles of road went into the hands OF re-
ceivers, and these roads had total cap
lLdllZaJlOD OF Sl,UlO,oOo,OSo. luis Gull
pares with 1920 miles in 1914 with
total capitalization of S199,571, 446, in
receivers hands. This is not healthy
condition; 1t is a malady that affects
directly and indirectly every one in the
country.
Railways do not belong to few rich
men or bankers. There are at least
100000 owners Of the securities OF
American railways. There are 1,SO0,-
600 men approximately employed In
the railway service. The insurance
companies have $1.500,O00, 900 invested
In railway securities representing 3d.
100000 policy holders; savings banks
have $SO0O00,0O0 invested in which
banks there are 100000 depositors.
From 1909 TO 1913 the States enact
ed 60,001 and congress enacted 2,O13
new laws which involved the consid-
Grafton of more than one-half million
legislative propositions, or an annual
production Of over 1900 new laws
to be assimilated by the business