Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-21
HOW EXTREMES MET.
A Very Nice Ekemp1ffcation of Capt.
tai and Labor's Union.
SPLENDID SILVER SET PRESENTED
At Lower Oliver Mills, Drawing MesSrs
Harris and Oliver Out.
SPLIT IN THE AMALGAMATED RANKS


A most agreeable meeting took place last
evening in Superior Hall, Woods Run, on
the occasion of the presentation to Mr..
David Harris, late assistant manager in
Oliver Bros. 8 Phillips lower mills, of a
splendid solid silver tea service.
Mr.. Harris has been with this firm for
many years, and the employees prepared this
testimonial, suitably inscribed, on the occa-
sion of his leaving them to enter into part
nership with Messrs. Baldwin and Graham,
the extensive stove manufacturers.
Mr.. Richard Millard presided, and the
plate was presented to Mr.. Harris in neat
speech by Joseph Goode, and responded to
by Mr.. David Harris at some length. In
the course of his remarks, after giving his
views as,to the relations that should exist
between capital and labor, referring to his
past course in his dealings with the men, he
said:
In standing. as itwere between the capitalist
and the laborer,we haveIalways endeavored in
our humble way to keep in our minds eye that
simple yet sterling motto, .Dare to do right"
and as to how far we have acted on that prin-
ciple, you, fellow workmen, are the best Judges
Our connection with the work in which we
have been for more than decade so agreeably
and tremendously toiling together has been
severed. We emphasize the term harmoni-
ously, for your humble servant can truly say
that, during that long period, not one insulting
remark was ever hurled into his face when oc-
casions would arise where he would deem it
necessary to point out a wrong-doing and at
which time he would deem it fitting to make
use Of some plain talk, and perhaps would
sometimes forcibly emphasize such remarks.
Yet not one unpleasantness has grown out of
such gentle chiding.
MR.. OLIVER SPEAKS.
Mr.. David B. Oliver made short speech,
in which, referring to the relations that
should exist between employer and en-
ploye, he used the following:
Itmay not be amiss right here for me to say
a word on the vexed question of Capital and
Labor, It is most important question, and
here, in this great manufacturing community,
it is next to impossible to find any person, man,
woman or child, that is not directly interested,
In some form or manner, in its settlement.
Political economists have given us no end of
dissertations, deep, thoughtful and well studied
out, on the subject; learned men have thrown
what light philosophy can afford on the ques-
ton. but l hunbly confess that to my
mind, the question is, as for as they are con-
cerned, as lar from satisfactory settlement as
ever. Cooperation in the ownership and shar-
ing in the profits have been tried, with appar-
ent success; but the case is not met, because,
when workman becomes an owner, he be-
comes to that extent capitalist. and. as far as
his interests are concerned, the question is set
tied for him. But all workmen are not able to
become owners. Sharing in the profits is very
well as long as there are profits in which to
share, but we all know that the exigencies of
manufacturing often bring around a succession
of years in which there are no profits; and
meanwhile, how is the proft-sharer to live.
THE REAL REMEDY.
Where, then, you say, is the remedy2 bold
ly say think know where it is to be found.
1t is, if anywhere on this green earth, in the
Golden Rule, the rule given by our Lord-"As
ye would that men should do unto you do ye
also unto them" This principle, gentlemen,
in my opinion, if applied in an honest Christian
spirit to the settlement Of disputes, that must
arise, as long as human nature remains as we
new find it, between man and man or capital
and labor, will settle them, and will make set
Elements that will last. In all my experience
in these disputes-and I have known a great
manyI can truly say that have never known
one that the application of this principle by
both parties would not have settled, and set
tied amicably, honorably and to the lasting
satisfaction of all concerned.
Asa present proof of what 1 say, and of the
satisfactory working of this principle (for
workingmen OF all others want things that will
workl, will refer to Mr.. Harris and his modes
and ways of dealing with men under him; of all
the men with whom have ever been brought
into contact can recall no one who, more
than he, made this golden rule the measure of
intercourse with the men under him. 1 think
he never lost sight of the question in his own
mind: How would like to be treated If I
were in this mans place." The result of this is
seen here tonight in this spontaneous exhibit
tion of respectful and most honorable feeling,
taking shape in this costly and beautiful testi-
monial.
A humorous song from Reese Jones
brought the house down; speeches were
made by Mr.. William Martin. Secretary of
the Amalgamated Association, and, with
music by the Woods Run Band, the even
ing passed most pleasantly.