The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-17
TO STUDY LABOR.
A Deputy's Mission From the
French Government.
a Member Of the Chamber Who Is Institutiue
Inquiries Into American Legislation
and Labor Organisations.

NJ. Paul Deschanel. who has been for six
years member Of the French Chamber of
Deputies, is at the Palace. He has been
sent here by the French Government, his
mission being to study the relation of labor
and capital in the United States and the
character and effect of American legislation
upon strikes and other labor troubles He
has been in the principal cities OF the East
since December q, and will remain in this
city about week.
THE law permitting the formation of
labor organizations only dates from 1887
said Nj. Deschanel, "and these unions are
now beginning TO be formed. Arbitration
as a means of settling the difficulties be-
tween employers and employees is just begin
ming to be tired. The labor disputes have
excited much discussion in France, the
most serious trouble existing in the coal
mines Of the north. These d faculties have
been adjusted temporarily, but they will
recur again.
LABOR AND CAPITAL.
Labor in its relation TO capital is the
greatest and most tremendous question in
Europe. Since the Congress IF Berlin,
State socialism, which has been inaugurated
by the present German Emperor, has been
advocated by the clerical party and its rep
resentatives In the French Chamber of Dep
uties. Upon my report Will depend much
future legislation in France ana other coun-
tries concerning the laboring classes.
II have been greatly astOnished during
my visit to the United States at the power
Of the labor organizations. The facts which
have collected refer 10 the entire question
OF capital and labor, and especially TO the
legislation upon the subject in the different
States"
"In general way, what will be the nature
OF your repOrtY' the French Commissioner
was asked
IF anything general can be drawn from
such complex legislation, and so many and
varied organizations" he replied, ''it is this,
which Will be very pertinent in France at
the present moment: In this country of
free individual effort, where the energy of
the individual citizen is considered, the cit
iZen asks very little in the way of legsla-
ton from either State or national Govern
ment He does his own legislaiing and it
Is by the privilege of organization and asso-
citation that he is able 10 arrive ut his con-
illusions.
GENERALIZATION.
I'm France, however, the people have been
accustomed, by three centuries of ciyliza-
ton, to ask the Government for everything
they desire. This is the tendency of the
clerical party and the Congress of Berlin,
as well as many radical palties IN Europe.
1t is surely better to effect solution of
labor difficulties and the elevation of en-
ployes through private organization rather
than by State socialism, which means Cow
eminent Intervention between labor and
capital"
do you care 10 discuss the Deacon
case?"
LAS l was an intimate friend both of Mrs.
Deacon and Nj. Abeille, my lips are sealed
on that subject" replied NJ Drschanei.
hat are the prospects Of a European
ware"
War is inevitable. The present interna-
oil al.ffr
ately ominous. France and Russia wilt be
on the same side, but they will not be the
aggressors. What will England's position
BE-? As usual, she will keep out Of the
thick of the fight, but when the result is evil
dent she will side with the winners. She
will not fire gun, but when the other ma
tl0ns have raked the chestnuts from the fire
she will eat them"