Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-08-29
IL HAS TWO SIDES
The Question Of Labor and
Capital
TALK FROM A CONTRACTOR
Workingmens Unions Should Be
Formed So As To Protect al
Concerned.

builder ION change" this morning.
There Is great deal TO be said on
both Sides" said he, aud manlfes ting
commendable interest in the subject,
ne continued: IL know men suffer
from the greed of the monopOlies they
serve, and they have no redress against
tyranny except 10 stand together yeted
III every crisis.
Leaders Abuse Their Power.
"But this very power has been al
ready abused, not SO much 10y the rank
and tile as by the leaders whom they
have been so unfortunate as TO choose,
and whose bidding they perform blind
ly and unguestioningly. Here is where
the chief trouble lies; If thelr spokes-
men-the walking delegates-had half
the sense Of the n dividual members OF
the union most of the conflicts that
arse would be averted, and matters
that occasion friction and retalI alton
would be peaceably adjusted without
the sacrifice or wages on one hand and
damage and loss of property on the
9th er."
The speaker hed an extremely and
somewhat remarkable history. lie
had graduated with distinction from
Western college, paying the expenses
OF board and tuition through his entire
course by working before and after
study hours, on holidays, and Satur-
days. He had learned the benefits of
abstemiousness, OF temperance, of self
denial. lie could not assist at WINE
suppers ana card parties, even If he
had been SO disposed, which nc never
would nave been, because he mad no
money except for the actual necessl-
ties of lie.
His Early struggles in Life.
He is still remembered there as one
of the most brilliant speakers and
debaters ever graduated from that
institution. He studied and practiced
law, but finally came to Chicago TO
cast his fortunes with the thousands
who wished to take advantage of the
opportunities for advancement which
the wider field afforded. He showed
an aptitude Tor the real estate business
and succeeded, from the beginning, Ia
manner that encouraged him TO de-
vote his entire time and energy to it
and rellnquish the profession for which
he had fitted himself.
He had wife worth her weight IN
gold, and her faith, patience and indus
try tlded him over his lnItlatory hard
times. She kept the house unasslsted
by servant, which they could not
afford 10 keep; she cooked, sewed for
her four children. and sent them al to
school. She let her spare rooms, ard
derived an additional income from this
source. More than all, she believed in
her husband, and encouraged him to
believe IN himself.
"In those days" he said. 81 never
spent one cent that | could avoid
spending. We lived south of Twenty
second street, and | walked down
town IN the morning and back again in
the evening 10 save car fare. | could
not afford the luxury OF gong to res
taurant for my luncheon, and car
rled 1t II my pocket, ana a mighty
plain luncheon II was, too, let me tell
you"
Fewer Hours no Benefit
81 have yet to see any beneficial
effects of the eigbt-hour-law," he said,
"and / do not make this assertion be-
cause its enforcement may seem to
mean money ont of my pocket.
| know Of only two men IN all that
! have had any dealings with who have
| taken the extra time for study or to
| better the condition OF their homes and
| their families.
IL am sorry to saw it means more
| frequently, to many of them, addi-
| tlOual time in the saloons ahd cor
IespOndlngly increased expenditure for
beer and tobacco. This beer drinking
nuisance, AT all times, is serious. mat
ter. a man Will stop work, run to the
nearest saloon for hls beer, or send and
/ get 10, and stop 20 drink It when II
! comes, repeating this half a dozen
! times day. It does not take q very
! expert accountant 10 figure up what
/ tnat will come to, both IN loss of time
Fnd loss or money 10 a day or a week.
81 want 20 give YOU a little expert
/ ence / had durng this strike last
/ spring. | was then building block
out on Wabash avenue. Il was lmper-
/ atlvely necessary that the work should
/ be pushed, aud when the demand for
al advance was made | was perfectly
4 willing 90 pay It, alt would have paid
even more.
Tyrsnt- Among Union Men
"The men were ordered ont, remem-
Der, and the ethics of a strike Is that
IT all men can not be paid none must
/ accept tine terms demanded by the
committee oi arbitration I found q
/ gang of men. offered them the advance
! and they thought they might, for once.
disregard the rule OF the union.
Everything ran along smoothly for a
day or 30. when 10 LEAKED out One
/ morning a crowd Of seven or eight
! union men suddenly appeared upou
The scene, jumped on one Of the men,
/ knocked him down and beat him un.
I merCfuly before anybody could 10.
terfere. When he got on ns feet
again aud cleared hrs mouth from the
blood and dirt be- sad 1'm union
man Well. why didu't v0u show
your ticket then" the leader n the
party said. 'You didn't give me =
+ chance I vas trying % get 70 ont OF
my pocket vnen you struck me ln CHE
face and snocked me down and no
then got out TIE ticket ard presented
70. which the others slnglv Inspected
without comment. RE dIi nos seek
acv redress. nor we're anr apcl 7-ie.
offered of expected for t1e stack
Hsd Z struck nm be would have nst
me arrested as soon a be coul -et q.
she nearest Poi ~ station Hut q seem.
teat f1eY take those ttlrcs tr1w ord
another. He. hoWcver. p.tn tns Otler.
tlrsv 4 avn taelr foossnt Venf away
with t1e $50 iisnts. without gIrf d.
UFsteef NtW ff fhre q -n. fUraH rF