STRIFE BETWEEN CAPITAL AND LABOR.
By J. W. Collie
IN recent years the struggle between capital and labor has been growing more intense, until at the present time it is breaking out into open revolt, and it is only a question of time until there will be a general uprising throughout the entire country. The writer does not express the above statement from a pessimistic standpoint, but from a standpoint of personal observation. The rich are growing richer, and while the plea is made that better wages are being paid than ever before, it is a fact that the smaller merchants and manufacturers are being forced out of business by the larger concerns, and gigantic trusts of to-day are in a position to manipulate not only prices, but wages as well. Men of good minds and executive ability have been swallowed up by their competitors, or forced to accept some minor position that does not allow their full development, and thus a growing discontent fills their minds. In the last few months we have had a noticeable illustration of the strife between capital and labor, in the city of Cleveland, Ohio. The street-car employees to the number of 800 went out on a strike because of certain well-defined propositions. The company were not disposed to listen to them, and other men were employed. Then began a series of disturbances on the part of sympathizers, that has placed Cleveland in a very bad light before the world. Riots of the most serious kind have occurred; cars blown up by dynamite; thousands of dollars' worth of property destroyed; and yet no concessions have been made by the company. A general boycott was ordered against the company by labor organizations, and the receipts of the company fell short about $3,000 a day. Merchants were told that if they sold goods to persons riding on the cars of the company, they would be placed under the ban of the relentless boycott. Wagons of all descriptions were placed in service to parallel the street-car lines, and yet the company has gone along quietly, as if there was no such thing as this disturbance, right in their midst, and directed against them. What is the reason for this?—Capital can stand the great pressure brought to bear against her, for her weapon of warfare is a mighty one. The weapon of the laboring man is already wearing itself away, and in a short time will only be a matter of history. Our sympathies are always with those who are oppressed, but not to the extent of the use of any unlawful means. The Word of God says, "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord." That is the only thing that will settle these perplexing questions, and we say, Hasten on, glad day, and bring deliverance to the sons of men. Cleveland, Ohio. J. W. COLLIE.