The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-08-12
WEALTH AND ITS PROPER USES,
Lessons to Be Learned From
the Late Strike.
Some Of the Causes of the Existing
Discomfort.
A Plss FOR the Practical Applica-
eion Of the Principles of
Christianity to the
Situation.

| "a hVoiy interest.
Now that the latest industrial upris-
ing against law has been suppressed
and the authority OF the government
has been vindicated, it 10 desirable that
we look more closely into the causes oil
the profound unrest and discomfort
which exist among the working classes,
and which are from time to time eeized
upon by labor agitators in furtherance
OF schemes OF violence and disorder. 1t
cannot be denied that this dieoontent is
every year becoming more acute. Much
OF 1t unquestionably springs from misap-
prehensiOns OF economic principles and
conditions, and from totally erroneous
conceptions of labor and capital, and
the peculiar functions and responsible
ties OF each in the social system. There
is a rational antagonism of labor to cap
ltal which often runs to snarchism, and
always and everywhere is q menace to the
public security. But these are not the
only causes for the prevalent unrest.
Other influences provocative OF irritn-
ton and disquietude are found in the
attitude OF the capitslistic forces to the
producing classes, in the arrogance and
selfshness of monopolies, in the be-
stowal of legislative immunities and
favors upon aggregations OF wealth, and
in the denial to labor on the part of en-
ployers OF humane consideration and q
fair wage. 1t is undeniable that great
combinations have come in this country
to control production-partislly in some
industries, absolutely in others. 1t ia
equally true that the gains OF these vast
monopolies, which make competition
impossible and go destroy individual
enterprise, are swollen by oppression Of
their employees, and not infrequently
by evasions or open defiance OF the laws.
Individual employers are often as hard,
rspacious and pitiless as those OF
Pharaohic tsskmasters from under
whose lash the Israelites we're led out
by the Almighty hand.
ItSannot be otherwise than that these
conditions should beget dissatisfaction
in the common mind. 1t is not too
much to cay that the great body of our
people contemplate them with appre-
hension. They are unnatural and in
congruous. They stimulate, inevitably,
especially among those most intimately
affected by them, sense of injustice
which sooner or later fsmss into a spirit
OF revolt.
The recent strike In Chicago was in
every respect without justification in the
facts OF the case. 1t had no real provo
cation; even il it had succeeded it would
not have cured any of the ills here re-
ferred to. But it hes served to call at.
tention to the question of the relation OF
private wealth to the public good. and
the lin,i.stioas OF it's use. Mr.. Pullman
W. was ns light, sbsolutsslliNde il refusing
between his employees and him
self, There was, as to the particular
question in controversy, no room for ar
bitratiop. But as to the larger question
of the use which Mr.. Pullman makes OF
his wealth ae landlord and employer
there is plainly ground for intelligent
criticism. He sustains to his employees
q dual relation. He has undertaken
what may be called an experiment in
paternalism. He has established, after
the pattern Of the Krupps at Essen, an
industrial community. He has built
up around his works so-called model
town, of which he is absolute proprie-
tor. The houses, streets. parks, churches,
schools, stores and shops-everything-
are owned by him. He furnishes water.
gas, heat and all the appliances of life.
There is nothing except the air and
sunlight upon which he does not levy
toll. This as proprietor he has right
to do. But keeping in mind the
character of his undertaking. the claim
that it is benefcence. and the relation
he holds to his operatives, these charges
should be scrupulously consistent with
equity and Justice. All the evidence
goes to show that, on the contrary, they
are extortionate; that while fair wages
have been paid the better class OF work.
men, rents and other charges have al
ways been adjusted at Q corresponding
figure; that for the coarser grades OF
work the prices paid are conspicuously
meager; and that as q result OF the sys-
tenn the great MACS of workmen have
been practically enslaved. 'tlsso % aster
meanwhile accommodating mthtcns. AZ
one writer put it, "the average wages
have been so low and the average rents
90 high, that the workmen have been
giving the company their work and
something from their bank accounts be-
sides in return for tho privilege OF exist
ing in the model town."
It lie claimed that Pullman is private
estate, and may be managed just as any
other private property is managed
This ia an abandonment of the pretex'
that the object of the proprietor IL
building the town was to better the
condition of his employees as we'll as tt
advance his individual interests. Blu
even in the management OF private
estate there are limitations beyone
which rapacity and greed cannot safel!
90. The wise and just man recognize'
that there are considerations OF .fai
dealing which outweigh all questions o
dividends. Mr.. Pullman, though h'
were 20 times over owner OF everything
in the town he has built, cannot del,
with impunity the golden rule. and, be-
cause be has the power, squeeze tn
men and women within his reach lik
80 many sponges, until he has wrun
from them not only their indivloua
freedom, but oven the capacity to en-
Joy the fruits of their own toll: That il
to be inhuman; it is brutality incar
nate.
The industrial troubles which now 81
widely prevail will never be adjusted
and the animosities which have becom
so violent, will never be allayed, so Ion
as the spirit which has apparently dom
mated the Pullman management and
largely governs other employing enter
prises continues to assert itself. Capita
equally with labor must recognizes IT
obligations. There 10 profound truth Il
the sentiment expressed by ex-Mayo
Hewitt in q recent address. that tn
important question 10 not how wealth
L IL