The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-02
A PROBLEM OF THE TIME.
The Relations of Capital and Labor Discussed
BY Men Of ALI Glasses and Professions.

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 1.-The Age of Steel will pub
lish, on Saturday, the results of an extended in
quiry into various phases of the labor question,
in the form Of communications from representa-
tive manufacturers, workmen and political econ
omists. The topics considered relate to strikes.
and lock-outs, arbitration as means of settling
disputes between labor and capital industrial
partnerships, OF mutual participation of all
concerned in the profits arising from pro-
duction. and the practicability of coop
erative production in the United States.
Among the contributors are Howard Crosby,
Edward Everett Hale, Dr. Rylance. David Ell.
Mason, Bishop Warren, FL. D. Lloyd; R. Heber
Newton, DR.. Chas. r. Baker, Professors Hadley.
of Yale; Seligman, of Columbia; Newcomb, of
New York; James, of Wharton School of Finance;
Clarke, of Smith College; Waterhouse. Of Wash
ing ton. and the State Labor Commissioners of
Iowa. Wisconsin. Missouri and Pennsylvania
The side of the workman is represented by Rob
ert Bennett master workman of the Illinois
Knights of Labor, the officers of the Illinois
Miners Protective Association, John Jarrett
Fred Woodrow, aud others. Among the
manufacturers are the presidents of the
junction, Western, Paulding and Greencastle
nail companies, Charles Ridgey, N. o. Nelson.
Joseph Corus. A. III. Danforth W. II. Kellogg
B. G. Vose Eliot Todd, and John A. Gibney.
A summary of the opinions expressed shows
that strikes and lock-nuts are the inevitable re-
suits of the wage system and of the present
form of labor organizations. Arbitration is
commended and in most cases the enactment of
laws embodying its principles are favored. Pro
fessor Clarke says 1.-THE competition which,i the
basis of the orthodox political economy is already
a thing of the past In the sphere of wage adjust
ments. 1t has been vitiated by combinations
on both Sides"
Tn d. 4bckn ~, 6cs
the great advantage of subjecting the acts of the
parties to it to the efficient and powerful control
OF an energetic public opinion. 1t recognizes
that the interests at stake are not merely those
Of the iaborer and employer. but also those of
the community at large. Edward Trow, secre-
tary of the board of arbitration for the manu-
featuring iron trade of England, SAYS: 1.-THE
benefit and success Of the system of arbitration
for settling disputes over the system of strikes
and lock-outs fully establishes its utility and
adaptability and nc parallel can be found in the
history of trade where difficulties have been set
tied so advantageously.
Many cited where manufacturers
have adopted arrangements for the division of
certain percentages of surplus profits among en-
ployes. Charles A. Pillsbury 81 Co., OF Mime
apolis, say: I'VE have reason to regret the
amount of money which we have thus distribu-
ted among our workmen, as it has given a
very loyal and conscientious class of men, and
we certainly do not think we are any poorer by
the outlay. We never have the least trouble
with our employees, or disaffection among them"
r. Heber Newton, says that IF society is to
advance and the mass of men to be lifted higher,
a more just division of profits must be found.
Nay, even. if we are to avoid bloody revolution
and anarchy. such reform must accomplish
Itself in some way"
A prominent workman suggests that If half
the intellect that has been employed to concen-
trate 81 per cent of the wealth of our cities into
the hands of per cent. of their population. and
to reduce wages to the European basis. had been
exercised In discovering an equitable basis for
the distribution of the profits of industrial
enterprises, it would long ago have been discov~
cred.
John Jarrett advocates proft-sharing, if based
on industrial partnerships. He would have the
workmen purchase shares in the stock of the
company by which they are employed. He also
regards intemperance as the greatest curse of
American wOrkmen.
On the question of cooperation there is great
variety of opinion. ). c. .Sarsfela. of New
York, believes that when industrial cooperation
is established, the day of deliverance is at hand
for the working classes, whose heritage is pow
erty and toll. AS rule. the manufacturers do
not regard productive cooperation as practice
BILE in this country. Many experiments have
been made, but with Indifferent success. Their
failure is ascrihed to want Of business tact,
dishonest officials lack Of education, and the OBJ
stacles thrown in its way by large corporations.
The labor commissioners advocate cooperation
as beneficial to both employers and employees.
It will increase the earnings of capital by obvi-
atng long and expensive strikes. and make the
men more faithful in their work. and more care
full of the interests of their employers.
A. S. Danforth, of the Colorado Coal and Iron
Company, says: 1.-THE solution of the whole
question of the relations of capital and labor
must be evolved out of the chaos which now ex-
lists, and much time and money must be spent
before solution is reached. The cooperative
plan, pure and simple, never come into play
except as regards enterprises on very small
scale. and even then it is not likely to succeed,
but the cooperative principle, in some form.
must be the basis upon which industrial enter
prises will finally be adjusted. The aggregation
tent among the masses, are incompatible with
republican institutions, and safety lies in some
middle ground between an aristocracy of wealth
on the one hand, and Socialism on the other"