Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-07-08
NEW ERA is AT HAND.
CARROLL o. WRIGHT ON THE I'M
PROVED CONDITION OF THINGS.

Confidence Restored In All Quarters.
Carroll ID. Wright, United States com
missioner of labor takes an enthusiastic
view Of tho labor outlook.
~ have always held, " said Mr.. Wright,
THAT as soon ~ manufacturers and other
extensive employers of labor put into active
operation the plan Of raising the wages Of
their employees tho moment that business
would warrant such an advance strikes
will be effectually done away with. II Is
popular error To suppose that the strenuous
opposition which craftsmen offer To re-
duction Of wages, even In times Of 1nan-
cial depression, Is simply from consider
alton of the amount Of wages sacrificed by
the cut. Often this Is an entirely second
ary consideration. Perhaps 1t might be
said with approximate accuracy that such
IL generally the case, the main motive of
their resistance To the reduction being the
knowledge, gained by sad experience, that
restored prosperity In their lihe Of business
does not mean IA restoration Of wages 20
the point from which they were reduced
to meet the exigencies OF trade depression.
They have been taught by almost uni
versal object lessons that u raise OF wages
is very difficult thing to attain, and that
1t often, II not generally, follows with dill
atory and halting steps any improvement
in the general financial and business con-
ditions of the country In other words,
tho laborer has come to regard any accept
ed cut of wages as svmuch ground per
manently lost. Consequently they contest
every inch Of ground in tho way Of reduc-
ton with all the power that organized la
Dor can summon. This Of course means
strikes, and not until tho workingmsn
sees that the employer will voluntarily
restore wages that have been temporarily
cut off because of poor business will he
give up the strike attitude and idea for
one of confidence that any improvement In
the trade in which he Is engaged will
bring him benefit approximately in pro-
portion to that which IL brings to his en-
ployer.
"That this happy principle is becoming
more and more generally accepted by the
extensive employers of labor Is matter of
national congratulation, and that there are
substantial proofs on almost every hand
that this just and fortunate movement Is
becoming characteristic of the hour cannot
be disputed. 1t Is not too much to say Of
this significant sign of the times that 1t
marks a new era In the progress of the
cause of labor and that It's growth and
continuance mean the realization of many
good things which can now be only dimly
foreseen and hoped for
'It means the exchange of stronger
and closer confidence between the employer
and employee and puts their relations upon
basis Of mutual interest. Such course
as is being adopted by scores of big manu-
factories In making voluntary raise of
wages gives the workingman sound and
reasonable grounds for the confidence that
he will be humanely and justly dealt with.
When the time comes that the shoe must
be shifted to the other foot and reduction
OF wages becomes necessary, I think the
workingman will assent to the cut, feeling
that 1t Is only temporary and that return
ing prosperity will bring him his share In
the vantage ground which he, for the time
being, may have surrendered.
81 do not assume to know anything
about finance, save as directly relating to
labor, but am convinced that the report
ed voluntary increase of wages by great
concerns throughout the country Is not
only genuine, but general, and to my mind
1t cannot fail to have a wholesome effect
upon the general business of the country.
I see no reason to doubt that this move
ment has just begun and that 1t will stead
lily increase in volume to the satisfaction
gnd JOY of all"
Mr.. Wright regards arbitration as NOR
al rather than an economic feature and
says that its chief value must be in bring
ing the employer and the employed into
closer relationship.
Thirty-on states and the national gov
ernment will be represented In the coming
convention, which will be chiefly given
over to the discussion Of improved methods
In, ,tu4i icti inulu - a..
kind have been held for ten years. Nearly
all Of those who attend these conventions
are employed in the labor departments Of
the various states or the national govern
ment, although many college professors,
economic writer's and specialists in pursuit
of various lines of investigation are expect
ed to attend the convention, which will be
the largest of its kind yet held.
Reverting again to the subject of labor,
Commissioner Wright remarked upon tho
peaceful but busy industry Of Chicago to-
day compared with the unhealthful tur-
moil which reigned when he was last here,
his visit then being to investigate the
great American Railway union strike and
for the purpose Of learning the lessons Of
the hour which 1t afforded as we'll as to use
all proper influence to bring the great and
unfortunate struggle to q speedy and hui
name termination.
"The tremendous industrial waste en-
tailed by strikes and labor controversies Is
appalling" no exclaimed, "and any move
ment like that which Is now In sight which
tends to lessen all controversies should be
hailed rs national benefaction. The
sound and invigorating tone which It Is
giving to the business situation is grateful
but the ultimate effect upon labor Of tho
voluntary increase Of wages, which was
inaugurated by the woolen mills Of the
east, Is not merely trsnsitory, but must
have permanent effect upon the labor sit
uation. 1t must tend to simplify and hu-
manize the relationship between the work
ingman and his employer and to give new
and substantial basis for mutual conf
dence and loyalty. The press of the coun-
try should emphasize the significance Of
the stand taken by the concerns and indi-
vduals who have done the pioneer work in