The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-18
CARROLL d. WRIGHT.
His Views as to Organization and Arbitration
Remedies for Labor Troubles.


His Views as to Organization and Arbitration
Remedies for Labor Troubles.
WASHINGTON. May 17-Advance sheets of the
first annual report of Col. Carroll D. Wright,
Commissioner Of the Bureau of Labor, have just
been received. This report is devoted to a gen
eral discussion Of commercial depressions and
their effect upon labor. The report rapidly re-
views the industrial depressions of the leading
nations of Europe and the United States since
1887. and then discusses the present depression
in the United States under the various headings
of its extent, its alleged causes falling prices.
machinery, overproduction, variations in cost of
production and in wages, speculative railroad
building, underconsumption, and tariff Unequal,
tiles. One chapter is devoted to the manufact-
uring nations as group in relation to the pres
Suggested Remedies" Colonel Wright consid-
restrictions OF land grants and of immigra-
tion the checking of speculation by law, boards
of arbitration, contraction of credit, sound cur
rency, distribution of products, profit sharing
and the organization of workmen and employers
In regard to organization Colonel Wright says:
Many manufacturers have said in the course
of this investigation that If the employers in
any industry would combine under an organiza-
ton that should have positive Conference there
concerned, in regulating the volume of produce
ton in accordance with the demand, and that
with this regulation of supply on a scientific
foundation, there would be no opportunity for
labor troubles OF depressions to occur. Such
men recognize the fact of the olarge supply of
power machinery relative to the demand for the
products of such machinery. On the other hand
working men, almost universally, are of the
opinion that If they could organize on a strong,
comprehensive basis and in such way as to
h0 of heir fhoxy
could regulate the rates of wages so that there
would be uniformity and stability in their rates,
and uniformity In their hours of labor. If these
results of the organization OF employers on one
hand, and the organization of workmen on the
other. could be secured. depression would have
but little effect either in severity or in duration.
The manufacturers. SO far as all the facts which
can be observed indicate, are correct In their po-
sition The workmen would be correct in their
position If they embodied the amount of produc-
ton in their view. This many Of them do.
There cannot, then, be much to fear in the COM
plete organization of the employers on one hand,
and employees on the other. In fact, there is
great hope in such complete organization. fer
when organization is complete on each side each
force must treat with the other through intelli-
gent representatives, and such treatment would
result in doing away with passion, with excite
ment, and with all that comes of the endeavor of
great body of men to treat with the proprietors
individually, and, in addition to such result,
would come the opportunity to reduce manu-
featuring, so far as production relative to sup
ply is concerned, to science. Under the
present conditions of manufacturing through
the aid of machinery the hours of labor ought to
be reduced, because the drafts upon the human
system necessary to enable machinery to be
we'll operated are so much greater than
under hand processes. Law far.
where hours of labor have been established
by Ii, has followed the general reduction
and rot preceded it. The law has been the re-
Election of the public sentiment which said that
the old time was too long Under complete or
ganization of labor and capital as represented
by the proprietor and the employees the hours of
labor could be adjusted on basis far more salts
factory than by law. Another benefit Of such
complete organization would be the enlargement
Of the freedom of contract. Much is said OF the
freedom of contract-that the workman has the
same power to make contracts for his labor as
the merchant for the sale of his goods. This
idea is purely fallacious, for the merchant need
not sell his goods to-day, while the workman
must his labor, and he is, a rule. at the mercy
of the purchaser. instead of being free to keep
his labor If he cannot get his price 1t is alb
surb to say that the interests of capital and
labor are identical. They are no more identical
than the interests of the buyer and seller. They
are, however, reciprocal, and the intelligent
comprehension of this reciprocal element can
only be brought into the fullest play by the most
complete organization, so that each party shall
feel that he is an integral part of the whole work
ing establishment
Regarding compulsory arbitration, Colonel
Wright put forth the following conclusions
1.-THE condition of things, then, leaves the par
ties in the position, il an employer of being
obliged to manufacture goods under conditions
established by law-that is. he must pay wages
which the law directs, suffer the penalty if an
employee, he must accept the wages decreed by
law whether too low or otherwise. or incur the
penalty imposed. This is simply establishing
the rates of wages and prices of goods by law,
and 10 a result which neither the employer nor
the employee can for a moment desire. although.
without looking to the results of a board having
the powers designated, such board is freely
demanded as solution of labor troubles and
remedy for industrial depression Now indus
trial arbitration, in order to be successful in the
least degree, must be purely voluntary on the
part of those intending to submit their griev
ances to the decision of Others"
In general summary of remedies, he says:
''With healthy public opinion behind it, the
law-making power can prevent, to a great de-
gree, the unholy speculation in food products.
1t can indulge in conservative care in extend
ing railroad building and in facilitating the or
ganization of manufacturing organizations. It
restrict the grants of the public domain. It
can enact uniform bankruptcy laws extending
the provisions of such laws. so that the poor
man, indebted but few hundred dollars. shall
be able to readjust his financial affairs readily
as the larger debtor. 1t can abridge the provi-
sions Of law relating to the collection of debts,
to the end that the credit system shall not be
abused 1t can regulate transportation on just
aud uniform basis, to the end that the stockhold-
ers shall not he robbed by ruinous competition.
and that the workman may calculate, with some
degree of certainty, the cost OF his living. and
the producer the cost of production. so far as
transportation is concerned. 1t can see to it
that the tariff shall be regulated on the
basis OF justice and science, and not on a
haphazard basis, which affects only individ-
nal interests and often infiets general harm.
1t can that stable currency be
guaranteed that the workman may know the
purchasing power of his stipulated earnings 1t
can consider what reasonable and humane regu-
latioDs may be adopted relative to immigration,
and see to 1t that labor is not lowered either in
standard or through earnings by the pernicous
method of importations by contract that every
lawful endeavor be made to stimulate industrial
education in all parts of the country; that the
necessity shall be recognized of the industrial
development of all parts of the land. that there
result a legitimate increase of the cansprn=