The Newtown bee., 1894-03-09
THE LABOR QUESTION.
AN INTERESTING LECTURE BY REV NJ
 LINSLEY.


 Rev MT Linsley, rector of Trinity church, was the lecturer in the course at Sandy Hook On Wednesday night. Rev 70. 0. Wright introduced the speaker.
 Among other points he brought out were the following: Though some deny that there is any real serious question in- volved in the condition of the labor class es,yet their discontent with their lot, the low average of wages barely sufficient to support the family ill country with such vast resources as ours has, the con- trast between the condition of laboring people with the luxury and abundance of capitalists, the fact that things are not improving with workingmen-all proves that there certainly is very im- portant labor question.
 Workingmen, therefore, have griev- ance. What is it? Some writers and labor associations take the position that labor produces wealth and ought to have the product of the lobor. But labor is not the sole cause of wealth.
 Building lots in the center of a large city, land underneath which are rich mines of oil or coal or iron or granites or slate or marble, the fertile land of west ern prairies in contrast with stony soil of New England, the high price of some T talent like music, the trustworthiness of some men, all these facts prove that la- bor is not the sole cause of value. Rath- CT it is the power to satisfy some human need or desire.
 Intelligence, skill, and taste are neces- sary in directing and organizing labor and are as necessary as manual labor. Factories depend on both. Those who possess such power of skill, etc., must he well paid for them.
 Labor feels, however, that it gets toe little and that capital gets too much. Probably true. Improvement must be gradual. Meanwhile wOrkingmen ought to try to make better use of what they get, cultivate habits of industry, thrift and sobrety. Present difficulties grow out of theory of competition, every man for himself, selfishness. This not only crowds down wages but devours profits. oomtlmes capital is forced to combine tC save the business. Then labor must or. ganIZe.
 Strikes are sometimes the only resource ltft to labor, are justitiable in some in stances, but they are a bad way, last esort, both sides lose. But never is vi olence to employer or to bis property justitiable, nor intimidation towards oth CT labOreTs who want to work.
 Arbitration is better way. Employ CT and workmen must then meet on equa footings. The question in labor dispute "what is fair to both sides?' Justice morality. For the future, principle o1 cooperation would be the best basis o1 the industrial world. Employer anC workmen members of one family, of hu man brotherhood, partners in business interests in common, not enemies.
 Thoughtful men are looking in hope towards a new adjustment, industria partnership, where the laborer will bt part owner in the business, receive hi: wages and proportion of profits of the business, interested in the success of the business. Real dignity in manual labor no classes in United States, all men of tht one human brotherhood. Labor honor able, Jesus of Nazareth carpenter, thi growing to be more and more Chris tain sentiment. True friends of laborine people always found in the Christian church, Cardinal Manning of the Roman Catholic church in London, Kingsley ant | Robertson of the church of England others in our own country, among these in his more humble way the speake would like to be remembered.
 The lecturer, next Wednesday night will be Rev o. W. Barker, pastor of tn | Congregational church.