Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-03
TEIE LABOR PROBLEM
Prof. Simon NewcOmb's Views on the
Suhject-His Lecture at All SOuls.
Church.

Prof. Simon Newcomb delivered very inter-
esting lecture last evening at All Souls church
1or the benefit OF the free night schools on the
SUBJECT OF Practical Socialism and the Labor
Question. The recognized ability OF the
speaker, the unusual Importance at this time
of the subject treated and the worthy object
for which the lecture was given all combined
to attract large audience, who ev1nced alb
sorbing interest throughout.
Prof. Newcomb began by claiming that moth
ing in the world is more practical in its nature
and objects than science. A hundred years ago
an Italian professor was experimenting on the
contractions produced i'll the leg of frog when
er-on would have regarded his experiments as
too childish to be seriously considered by a
sensible man, yet out Of that beginning has
grown the telegraph, the telephone and the
electric light. But these inventions could not
have been developed as they now are without
mathematics as we'll experiments ohm
the German mathematician was the first To-
explain the laws of the electric current by a
very profound and intricate mathematical ex-
pertinent. The speaker claimed that as be-
tween theory and practice it was the common
man who was the theorist, and the Scientific
man was really the practical one. The latter is
practical because he found all his conclusions
upon facts, and recognizes no statements which
do not refer to facts. The common man is the
victim of theories. Country farmers still be-
lieve that the quality of their pork will depend
upon the time OF the moon at which they kill
their pigs.
Coming then to socialism. il was declared
that modern industry is great communistic
system. in which everybody is working for
everybody else in the best way he knows how
Hundreds of people are engaged in making the
shoes and clothing to be worn and the food 20
be eaten year hence. Railways are engaged
In transporting the necessaries of life to Deone
in every part OF the country. 1; would be i'm
possible TO invent any system by which these
services should be better rendered than they
are ON our present system. The speaker de-
clared himself an ultra believer in our indus
trial system OF free labor and free exchange as
1t now exists. He spoke rather lightly of the
railway trouble, believing that time would af-
ford the best remedy, and that no legislation
except what is bad could be expected The,
trouble arose In great part from educated men
who ought to Know better, telling laborers that
the industrial Improvements in modern times
mad made the poor poorer as well as the rich
richer lie drew an amusing picture OF the
Dr1cklayer OF to-day, with his finely dressed
wife and Children as compared with his fellow
OF the last century. rich man OF LOO years
ago could he have seen the house OF a modern
bricklayer to-day in Washington would have
thought that 1t belonged TO q very wealthy
man, rolling In luxury. 1t was claimed that
the best way to improve the laborer in the
future was to let things take their natural
course. A strong appeal was made for sympa-
thy between the IabOrer and his empIOyer
Where this exists strikes and other troubles
are unknown. AS soon as employers find 1t to
their best interests to treat their employees not
merely from a business point of view but as
fellow men, with whom they have common in.
terests ana common sympathies all trouble of
the kind now experienced would cease.