Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-07-01
COOPERATION.

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cases the love of self is, directly or in
directly, the source of all action and is
force acting constantly. We toll that
we may have food, clothing and shelter,
and that our desires or tastes may be
gratifed; or we stea1t that these things
may be supplied. The attainment of
what is desired is the aim of all, but the
means employed vary with each indi-
vidual.
The so-called ''labor problem" resolves
itself at once into a simple question of
self-interest. The capitalist, in his de-
sire to add to his accumulations or to
retain what has been amassed, refuses
to pay more for the labor required, or
endeavors to secure it at a lower rate
On the other hand, the laborer, in his
desire to secure more for his services, or
to retain the accustomed wages, refuses
to render them unless his demands are
complied with;
Just here then lies the cause of all
Strikes simply self-interests acting
antagonistically. Are these forces ne
eessarily opposed, or is it that by Gus
tom, ignorance or intolerance they are
out of unison? Evidently the forces
are the same, and act against each 9TH
er by reason solely of their application.
Therefore, it remains only to harmonize
their action. It is well known that a
common danger unites the most incon-
gruous elements for mutual protection,
and that personal antagonism are for
the time forgotten. What greater dan
ger can be imagined than that which
threatens our entire community? Vast
accumulations of capital, controlled by
powerful meaopolies on the one hand,
and an army of brawny armed toilers
on the other, stand arrayed in fratri-
cidal war, each forgetting their common
ancestry and fighting for they know not
what.
The glimmer Of the coal miners lam
tern is no longer seen, nor the sound ot
his pick heard. The long lines of coal
cars stand freightless on the sidings,
and the idlers stroll hungry and aimless.
The iron furnaces are going out of blast
for want Of coal, and general manufac-
ture is impeded. No sound of the throt-
tie is heard from the mills; the warp
hangs in the loom, and the spinner aud
weaver go about the streets. And this
because capital and labor do not join
hands. Theirs is common cause, but
not Of contention; the ends 10 be at
tanned are identical, and neither can be
successful without the aid Of the other.
The profits or losses resulting from the
expenditure OF SO much muscle and so
much money are the legitimate couse-
quences of the venture, and should be
TO each in proportion to the risks.
This is no strange doctrine. There
are frequent instances Of CO. partnership
in which services are rendered in lieu
of capital, according TO a mutual agree
ment, and in which the profits or losses
are equitabiy apportioned. This under
lying principle may be applied to any
case where labor is employed as contra
distinguished from cafital-cur min.
ing or manufacturing Industries, for
example.
The owner or owners Of a coal mine
or mill, who proposes to develop or run
it, hoping TO realize from the produc-
ton interest on investment and such a
percentage over as would remunera.e
for time, talent and energy expended,
must first hire engineers, miners, Ia
borers, clerks and mill operatives. In
stead Of agreeing to pay only such mo-
ney for 90 much labor, let it be stipu-
lated that from the annual profits, after
deducting interest on capital, pro rate
share shall be divided to each non-cap-
italist, based on his annual earnings as
fixed by contract.
But, Il may be asked, what l. 20 be
gained BY thus parting with share of
profits when the labor may be occurred
without this concession? Much every
way. The moment one becomes con-
,ingently interested, he. that moment
becomes conservative. Instead Of care
lessness and Indifference, would be en-
ergy and interest Every nerve would
be strained to accomplish the best re-
suits because a portion Of the profits
would accrue to this extrs individual
enterprise. Economy would take the
place Of wastefulness, and capital. in
stead Of being a loser, would benefit by
the increased production and dimiru.
ton Of wastage. =.
This is not theory. From the best