The Washington times., 1895-06-15
LABOR REMEpIEs NEEDED.

The question is frequently asked by
wage-earners what can be done 10 give i'm
pulse To trade and needed employment to
those who are out OF work. II is admitted
. that politics is an unreliable support upon
which 10 build prosperity, and among most
workingmen there is a feeling that poll
tical agitation has been the prime cause
OF the present hard times. The wrangie
between the money factions is also dis
couraging to men dependent upon daily
earnings TO maintain families. and they
are busy casting about for some method
ef relief other than that which is prom
ised by professional politicians.
The three principal causes for loss of
employment TO male wage-earners are:
Business depression, labor troubles, and
female wage-earners.
Business depression in a country like ours,
where there are vast resources and a ma
tural abundant demand, can only come from
uHwise legislation and unnecessary and
disturbing political discussion. The re-
lations between capital and labor are such
that each is necessary tothe other. When
must inevitably suffer, and as capital
provides the motive power 10 keep the
wheels Of industry in motion, 1t therefore
takes precedence in bringing 'on a business
depression. The hard times just passing
Were caused by capital practically ceas-
ing to make investments, and it must be
conceded that the reason for its doing so
lation. Had less disturbing remedies for
bad conditions been applied there would
not have been so severe and distressing an
ordeal Of hard times.
Labor troubles are another cause for loss
OF employment, inasmucb as they generally
result in strikes, Iock-outs, discharges and
business delays. II some way could be
provided for an amicable adjustment Of
differences between employer and en-
ployed these damaging conditions might
be avoided A national arbitration law
would be Of great benefit to working people,
and some way should be found to enact
this healer Of labor woes
A late census bulletin announces that of
about 100000 of wage-earners in the
United States over 4, 900, 600 OF them are
women. 1t also reported that more than
than 2,OO0,OOO of men are wandering a about
tbe country seeking employment, and no one
VIII try 20 dispute that many Of them were
displaced by women wage-earners. There
are certain classes Of women wage-earners
that are justifiable and necessary, but
there are also many of them who have
fathers and brothers amply able TO support
and give them good homes. If an effort
were made to withdraw this class of women
wage-earnes from employment room
would be given to large number of unem-
ployedmen, ,andthecountryf yfromevery sta nd
point would be better for the change.
Here are three causes for loss OF employ
meut TO workingmen, and as they are all
capable Of being remedied they should com
uand the attention OF labor organizations.
IN brief, the remedies may be summed up
Is follows: Avoid politics, except in the
Interests Of friends OF labor, and discoun-
enance political agitation. Work zeal
flsly for an arbitration law that viii pre-
lent the necessity Of strikes. And use
Fery reasonable effort TO discourage fe-
bale labor, except when absolutely neces-
ary.