New-York tribune., 1867-05-03
TILE L1ROR QUESTION:

THE LABOR QUESTION:
Whether Labor is a horse that cannot run its
course without a rider, is the gravcst question of
the day. 1t is one not to be argued, but to
be decided by actual experiment. If the work
man must have "boss," hc must pay for the
luxury there is no escape from that necessity.
That there have been laborers- generations,
millions of them-who could not or would not
work save under masters orders, we know
that such il still the fact, and must he with all
laborers, to the end OF time, we shall not read
lily believe. On this point, we appeal from what
has been to what must and shall be.
Let us state the case az lucidly us we can:
There is deficiency OF dwellings and other
structures in this City, as in most other
American cities. The Capital, Skill and Labor
required to build these houses are on hand;
but they are not readily brought into the requi-
site harmonious relations The Laborer says,
Rents are so high and food 80 dear that
"mgst have such and such wages" 80 no"
r6spoud Capitol aud Skill; Eve cannot afford
to pay 50 much 60 to work at the rates we
"namc and we will soon make dwellings 80
abundant that you will be lodged far cheap
ser" This is not deemed satisfactory so there
building of many houses 50 houses remain scarce
and dear, rents high, and all parties worse off
than they need or should be.
Now, we blame neither, and take sides
against neither. We affirm aud uphold the
right of the joumeyman to set his own price
on his own labor; we affirm the corresponding
right of the boss to pay that rate or not, as
he may see fit. good many iourneymcn have
been on strike here this Spring; we believe
none of them have attempted to c0crcc or I'M
timidate those who saw fit TO accept the wages
which they rejected. Never were strikes freer
from violence, bitterness passion, than are
those of Ncw-York (tlms far in 1867.
Still, a strike is war, and all wars are waste
ful-ruinous No class rcaps any direct benefit
from the existing anarchy but those who own
houses and draw rents therefrom. We sin
cerey trust that the struggle may not be pro-
tracted.
But why should strikes operate to paralyze
industry and production Here are some
thousands of mechanics and artisans who re-
fuse TO work for the wages offered by those
who formerly employed them Why should
this convert them. for the time being into
droncs, idlers, and scmi-paupersl Why should
to employ him on A. BIS own terms'
The Boot and Shoemakcrs, the Tailors, the
Carpenters and other trades, are talking Of Co
operation and some delight in representing 1t
as scarcely more easily said than done. We do
not regard the obstacles so lightly; but they
surely are not insuperablc. Here are, say five
thousand men, who seek to live by making
Boots and Shoes here are Half Million work
ing men who buy their Boots and Shoes: why
should not the Cordwainers, in case they disagree
with their late employers as to WAGES, begin
at once to make Boots and SHOES DIRECTLY for
consumers9 Why not unite to hire store and
shops, buy stock, advertise that they are ready
to make all manner of outer footwear
promptly, at fair prices and ask the public, but
especially the aboring class, to buy OF them
So of Tailors, Hatters Bakers, &c. &c. We
are not urging that they would earn more than
hitherto, OF sell their wares cheaper, nor that
any special advantage would accrue to any class
in particular. But suppose the co0perators
should earn even less than now, is it not better
to do that than to stand idle and do nothingf
Nay would not craft on strike be far more
likely soon to attain their end than II they
stood idle and earned n0thingf
There Is greater dlfhculty IN building by CO.
operation; but, even here. it is not insurmount
able. Suppose one hundred, one thousand, or
several thousand carpenters, masons, plasterers,
roofers, &c. &C., were to form guild or COM
pany, choose their own officers, hire an office,
and give notice that they were ready to build
houses or stores on reasonable terms, what is
to prevent their success The notion that those
who want houses would not employ them is
sheer absurdity. Hundreds who want buildings
put up would rather employ such guild than
a boss. They should have leaders who could
make close calculations of cost, and be anxious
to do their work promptly, thoroughly, and at
fair prices. Fearing no strike, and always
strong handed, they might contract to build
in less time than any boss could with safety.
Having no profits to pay, and few incidental
expenses, they ought to be able to build
cheaply. What bars the road to successi
We are not urging that they could make
higher wages than now: let experience settle
that point. We presume they would be obliged,
at duh seasons, to take jobs quite low In order
to keep all their members ip work. But their
employment would thus be rendered Tar steadi6r,
surer than now; while their necessary (roWth