Marshall Field on Labor Disturbances
Much prominence is given by the Chicago Inter-Ocean of June 5 to statements made by Marshall Field of that city, the world's greatest merchant prince, regarding the meaning of the present labor disturbances. If not soon stopped, he declares, these disturbances will end the present period of prosperity, and will inaugurate a reign of lawlessness. To an Inter-Ocean reporter he said:— Certainly, the weakest point in the government of the country to-day, and the one that is destined to bring us the greatest trouble, unless we have immediate change, is the lax enforcement of law. The trouble is that the young people of the land are growing up to have no respect for law and order; and why should they have when they are not made to respect it? There is nothing we need in this country so much, I repeat, with reference to the labor question, as an enforcement of law. I know of my own knowledge that we would have had a much greater increase in manufacturing industries in Chicago during the past five years had it not been for labor troubles in Chicago.