The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-23
LABOR AND ITS EMPLOYERS.
Discretion and Conference Better Than
bad Temper and Violent Methods.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
The cause Of a large part of the differ
ences between laborers and their employ
ers, and the consequent strikes and tr0u-
Ibles that ensue. lies in the want OF
knowledge of the real condition of the bus
mess pursued by the employer A discreet
committee of conference of one with the
other would, in nearly every instance, re-
veal to the employed a condition of the
business of the employer they had not APP
pretended and stay hasty action. What is
meant by discreet committee is this, and
it is suggested by way Of illustration as
generally applicable in such matters, and
not as averment of fact in the case men,
toned, viz: Suppose that an indiscreet
committee had been admitted to pass upon
the present business industry Of the Pull
man company. 1t might have discovered
that the contracts on hand being filled by
operating the works were losing the COM
pany a thousand or two dollars a week
or month. The business managers might
be able 70 understand by experience and
precedent, under competitive bidding for
such contracts, that tp future business the
loss might be made good with such GUS
toners But indiscreet conference, not
familiar with the wide scope of such mat
ters would learn only that great loss
was being suffered daily and weekly by
the company. In such hands that would
go out unexplained to the public, and COM
pany stock that was quoted at par might
be stampeded and discounted 10 the hurt
of hundreds of innocent holders. In a hum
dred ways this matter might be amplified
TO illustrate the sensitiveness of capital
invested and the hurt to thousands besides
the holders of stock But this illustration
will stand as sufficient to thoughtful peo-
pie as reason why men ana companies with
large investments should be accorded dis
erection in business matters. Usually this
is the point where haste and indiscretion
begin to work harm to both sides. The one
demanding an impossibility and the other
valuing discretion when none is at hand,
is compelled to stand still and let violence,
or at least quiet cessation OF work, eN-
haust itself. At the end OF such periods,
whether during peace or violence, botn
have been hurt, sometimes seri l-Isly hurs.
This fully illustrates the need OF both for
bearance and discreet conference over the
real coh1lt0n 70 OF s, al, onaetione anu
First-Is il better to continue operations
for the present at loss TO the employer!
Seconds il better to accept lower pay
till better conditions obtain?
1t is a mistake TO assume that the EN-
ployer prefers TO close down In such times
If the barest profit. of even expenses, can
be made. II is equally a mistake 10 assume
that the employed in such times prefer to
go out if the best wages possible is only
maintenance, even in plain way. The one
does not desire to starve his'.employed nor
impoverish himself, nor the other do any
thing that would destroy the capital and
business that in ordinary times. under
normal conditions, afford steady employ
ment and income. Then why do either at
all? The reason was stated in the outset
hasty and inconsiderate action without
knowledge of the facts. Demands are made
without any knowledge of w, whether ei.f. they
out real harm and loss. Too frequently
such demands are quickly followed by bad
temper and lnconslderate action. ms OF
course, begetS spirit or antagonlsm on
the other side, and presently passion, in
stead of reason. Is ruling All history, ali
observation and experience reveal the
wrecks of all the past along these lines OF
attempt at settlement Men and companies
cannot and ought not to be driven into adj
iustmentS to their own detriment. They
may easily be reasoned into fair ones. \
knowledge of the facts and conditions on
both sides creates a moral power in
community which aids greatly in adjust
ment on equitable lines. Intelligent moral
sense in such instances is wellnigh irresisti-
BILE.
and justly must be done along these lines.
No law can compel the use OF capital at a
loss. No law can point out or fix the wage
scale Besides the laws OF supply and de-
mand, there are scores Of modifying condi-
tons. such as varied individual capabii-
ties on the one hand and the conservation
of energy on the other. The right OF labor
TO claim voliton and individual opinion in
this regard on its side must be sacredly
hand upon all forms of correlated force by
way of inventions and TO say how many
human hands required 10 manipulate
them is just as sacred. No law could stand
that would assume TO invade such pre-
cincts.
We may worry and search the universe for
new principles upon which TO adjust the
differences between the employer and en-
poyed. but must always come back 10 the
natural laws that will ever govern these
things: the supply of the labor market. and
the demand in the markets for the products
of labor. Law may be directed toward
stimulating the moral sense of communities
TO uphold and insist upon equitable dvi-
sion of the profits, and even go 10 the mat
ter of providing for mutual arbitration to
disclose what the equities and fair division
would be. when necessary. Beyond this,
law could do little. But much is gained on
all hands by constant and intelligent APP
prehenSfon of the market demands and a
knowledge of the industrial conditions on
all sides With pretty thorough general in
formation these things, there is little
danger from the cupidity OF capital. In
deed history everywhere is full OF illus
tration OF the fact that wage rates and in
telligence go hand in hand and that labor
impOverishment and illiteracy are also in
seDarable. But nowhere does bad temper
and violence count for intelligence or bring
success. JOHN b. CONNER
Indianapolis. July 90
Casual Reflection
PHILADELPHIA Inauirer