The Press., 1891-01-08

Issued Every Thursday Evening. tFor The Press3
 AN EXAMINATION OFTHE LABOR PROBLEM.
 THIRD PAPER.
 In a former paper the subject of combi- nation or association was touched upon, and it was then stated that an endeavor would be made to show that the theory of combination, while exhibiting evil feat ures, is not wholly bad. First of all it may be best, for the sake of cleafness, to fix upon the term association instead of combination as the name of this theory, viduals that the action of the theory be- comes manifest. The theory of associa- tion recognizes the existence, and, to cer- tain extent, the authority of those things which the advocates of competition regard as the only legitimate, economical laws, but it denies that those laws are necessary and unalterable. and asserts the right and even the obligation, under certain circum- stances, of interference with those laws The theory of association also asserts the existence of other forces as legitimate and influential as competition, and of agencies through which these forces may not only be rightfnlly applied. but through which new industrial con6i1fons mny be created and existing conditions annulsd a or modified. As to the rightfulness of this theory of association it may be said that even in the departments of activity to which the ques- tions we are considering pertain, the pro- duction and distribution of wealth, associ- ation is the ruling mode of action. Capi- tai is associated and labor is associated in the production and distribution of com- modities, and, as result, commodities are produced more cheaply and distributed more cheaply than could be done by any method of individual action. The inven- tions which caused the application of steam and water to the production of power, the abandonment of the spinning wheel and hand loom for the factory system, as well as the adoption of other methods of associ- ated action, have increased the efficiency of human labor, multiplied wealth, and even vastly improved the condition of the work ingman himself. Association, too, is the rule in nearly all departments of human activity; in efforts for moral and social ad- vaneement, in benevolent and humanita- rian work, in church and state, association is the almost exclusive law. Why, then should not this principle, which is so uni versal and beneficial in other directions, be brought to the discussion and settle ment of those questions which arise be- teen employer and employed? I am not aware that competition, or individual ac tion, has, in any instance, been imposed by competent authority upon the human race, while it is beyond question that the 1 Ifn~ If ns,,s1s l~,- imposed upon mankind the principle of associated action.
 Let us now turn to an examination of the modes of procedure under which the prin. cipie of association may be made operative upon the questions that arise between em. ployer and employed. These modes, as generally recognized, are three in number; | q Legislative enactments, (2) strikes and lockonts, (3 arbitration and conciliation. All of these are modes of interference with that which the theory of competition re- gards as economical law," but the meth. ods of interference differ, the first being by statutory enactment, the second by force, and the last, but not least, by req son. The first of these methods is by that association of individuals called the State the second by associations of employers and employed in 0nt0goaSsna, the third by associations of employers and employ ed CO operating.
 The history of labor legislation may be divided into two epochs, the first begin ming with the ordinance of Edward III about 1850, and the second beginning witt Sir Robert Peel 6 act in 1902 The 1st period was remarkable for the dominance of tho employer. All of the legislation of tha period was for his interest. It was sought by legislation to fix wages unalterably, to enforce the laborer's services, to proven his immigration from place to place, te prevent combinations of labor and alst the law made apprenticeship species O slavery, and left the apprentice helpless and completely at the mercy of his master It is not necessary for my purpose, howev CT, to dwell upon the details of that early Legislation, BOT to recount the long struggle of labor against iniquitous laws. All at tempts to secure by legislation the end named have been, probably, forever aband oned. The experience of five huudret years has shown that class legislation i
 injurious te every grade of society, as vel as entirely futile.
 In the second epoch of legislation ther,
 has grown up body of positive laws
 largely in the interests of the workingman out OI very uIH0f0nC cnaracC0f IrOm Cn | legislation of the first epoch and dealing
 with entirely different subjects. Thes
 laws relate largely to the health and safet of life of the workman. Positive provis
 ions have also been made with a view , advancing the general welfare of the labor CT, by regulating the hours and condition of employment in dangerous and unhealth industries, such as mining and paint mar
 ufactnring, by defining and extending tn liability of the employers in, cases of acc dent [ aud death, by, regulating the em ! ployment of women and children. by pre
 viding for the inspection of factories, an
 by regulating the frequency and characte
 of payments. :, All of these laws relate
 subjects that have been prolific causes (
 labor strife, and 80 far as they have deal
 with and regulated these subjects, so ia
 at least Legislation has removed the liabil | kxvA Ax.-l