Morning journal and courier., 1885-12-12
CAPITAL AND LABOR.

CAPITAL AND LABOR.
 A Live Question And Paper On The
 Subject by Hon. N. D. Sperry-The
 Necessity For A National Depart
 ment of Commerce And Industries.
 From an able article on Capital and La bor' written by Hon. N. D. Sperry we take the following: After allusion to the import ance of this question, especially in the pres ent agitation of the subject, and after com mendation of trades unions, Knights of La bor and kindred organizations when they were honestly seeking to benefit, advance and ameliorate the condition of the working men, and after denunciation of those who
 were simply agitators and who might well be called enemies of both capital and labor, he referred to the fact that in several States labor bureas so-called had been established,
 and proceeded to consider the claim put for
 ward by workingmen that 'sthe national and State legislatures should take such steps and adopt such measures as would lead to a full investigation of the questions growing
 out of the relation of capital and labor" "
 and proceeding said: National investiga-
 ton to assist in obtaining such information
 as is needed has been also strongly advocated of late upon what seems to be just and req sonable grounds. The creation of the Ma
 tional Bureau of Labor Statistics, of which Carroll D. Wright is the head, was step ln the right direction, but it does not fully cover all that the situation seems to require
 If the federal government can go to the ex- tent proposed by the bureau of labor, why not go still further and do all that is sought for and create a new departure, one that will include commerce and industrial pursuits into which labor and capital enter"
 After alluding to the fact that the nation al board of trade has urged Congress to take immediate steps for the establishment of department of commerce and manufactures, and the collecting of the requisite statistics on the subject by the government, MT. Sper- " said: What is needed, therefore, to ben eft capital and labor is the establishment of a national department of commerce and in dustries. with an organization so perfected as to be able to give prompt and constant in formation to the public regarding all indus trial and commercial interests.
 We have what is called the National Weather Bureau, which collects it's data from all parts of the United States daily, and the results are telegraphed throughout the coun try and bulletined in every postofice, in forming us what kind of weather may be ex- pected during the next twenty-four or forty eight hours. This idea was sharply cr1tl- cised and even ridiculed at the time it was proposed to-day no one will deny it's practicability or question it's value. Why, then, may not the people in like manner be informed, through depart ment of industries collecting it's information from all the great centers of trade, of the ac- tual state of business in every branch as nearly as possible, whether there is an over production of this or that line of goods or agricultural products, or an unsupplled de mand for others?
 This information would stop capital from in business where there is over production, and would likewise lead labor into other and more productive fields. Such a department would also aim to advise the public whether there were too many men in the workshops and not enough engaged in agricultural pursuits.
 In order to make myself more clearly regarding the specific evil to be remedied, let me quote briefly from the st atement made by a prominent business man, who has devoted much thought to the subject we are discussing, before the committee, Con depression of labor and business"
 ''The cause of depression in labor and bus mess" " said he, lis that we have made too much of certain things and not enough of other things" In order to show that his an swer was correct he selected thirty-seven ar ticles of the largest production in the United
  cations said: ''In country like this, with varied and vast resources, if labor be properly distributed, there never should be case in which there would not be work for everybody able and willing to work"
 In explanation of this assertion he said that the ''percentage of mal-distribution of labor, or those who have been thrown out of employment from a change of circum- stances, is much smaller than one would judge by taking broadcast look over the field, and by hearing complaints of those put of employment and by those made l quately paid" The number of those out of employment in Massachusetts, says the I sete Of ner 5d Gt 6 ee 900 or tive per md where agriculture is the main depend | ,nce of the people, the number, or per ,entage of those out of employment, is less. ! Taking the country as whole, this inyesti- l gator finds that the number unemployed is | about 800, 900. He does not mean, he says, that these persons are absolutely in want, l put thrown out of temporary employment. l Investigation shows, however, and statistics | prove, that there are too many people engag- d in certain productions, and not enough in | others"
 In monarchical countries the people are | subjects, and their conditions are, to great l ,xtent, created for them by those who rule l
  rested with the right of suffrage is a sover- | ign citizen and assists in directing the af- | airs of government All have right to be | leard, whether laborers or capitalists. Both | llike are calling for full investigation nto the condition of our industries. Why 1 hould we not, then, take such action by | enactments that the true state ,f affairs may be made known and instead of | aking a comparatively useless inventory every ten years at an expense of millions of l lollars establish a permanent department ,f commerce and industries, through he medium of which inform nation bearing upon all business matters affecting l .apital and labor may be secured from all | parts of the United States and reported upon, l aY once a month, thus enabling both labor 1 md capital to reap immediate benefit. The people have the right to demand that their lesire in this matter shall be complied with, 1 IT at least that it shall no longer go unheeded 1 y our representatives in Congress.
 The ever varying changes produced by | lew inventions and other causes are affecting l he business of the country to a greater or ess degree year by year. But it is hard or the people to understand that evolution is going on in business ase, though it is almost unperceived so ilent is it's operation. By and by depres- ion comes, and both capital and labor re in a measure distressed thereby. We ask he cause, but no definite or satisfactory an- wer is given.
 The proposed department, if properly rganized and effectively conducted, could y noting the constant changes taking ,lace, do much for the country and save us n great measure from future depression, istress disaster, and thus in the end night settle, or aid ill settling, in righteous less and justice, the much agitated and ever present. question of capital and labor.
 New Haven, Dec. II, 1885.