Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-01
ETHICS IN THE LABOR QUESTION.

worth listening to?
ETHICS IN THE LABOR QUESTION.
Moral Forces Considered I'm the Set
Element Of Industrial Disputes.
Yesterday afternoon Carroll D. Wright,
commissioner Of labor, gave a lecture on
Ethics in the Labor Question" in tho
lecture room Of the Catholic University.
In the course of his remarks he stated that
the endeavor had been to settle loabor con-
troversies. and. in fact. to deal with tho
labor question as a whole, on the basis Of
political economy, without the introduction
Of the power Of moral forces: but so far
political economy had proved inadequate,
and now the other element, ethics, is being
brought into the discussion and is vitaliz-
ing the whole question.
The old political economy has been, he
said. content to limit itself to things and
their relations to individual and national
wealth. more particularly the latter. rather
than to include in its sphere Of creed the
vital relations of men. 1t is because Of
this hard, unsympathetic nature of the So
called science that the labor question has
come to be considered as distinct from 1t,
and there has sprung up, within a few
years. new school. which seeks by legfti-
mate means. and without revolution. the
social relations wherever found as the
surest road to comparatively permanent
material prosperity.
The New School.
This new school of political economy will,
in the near future, deal largely with the
family. with wealth, with the state, as
the three features Of its doctrines, and
not confine itself to wealth alone. Under
family 1t will take cognizance of the relaS
lions of the sexes marriage and divorce,
the position of woman and the education
and employment of children-the latter
forming the most vital element in the eco
nomic considerations of the scientists, as
well as inviting the ardent sympathies of
the philanthropist. Under wealth the old
chapters will be revivified in the light OF
moral discernment in relation to all the
delicate, but always reciprocal, relations
Of labor and capital. Under state political
ethics will be taught as a direct means
of securing the Hottest material and social
prosperity.
Such considerations in the future will
be demanded to answer the question. con-
stantly put how labor may be rendered
more generally attractive and remunerative
without impairing the efficiency of capital.
have their proper share in the distribution
Of profits. This consider to be the true
labor question Of today. OF course, 1t In
not that CT the socialist but 1t is the sober
thrifty workingmen and the humane. large
hearted employers Of our country.
In the sacredness Of the family is found
the strength of the people. The desire to
see a family growing up begets the indus
try and frugality which allow of its sup
port, and any industrial condition which
prevents the young men from becoming
the heads of families is in direct opposition
to the best economical prosperity of the
state. Statistics prove conclusively three
thfngs-frst, that for the past decade mar
riages have decreased in proportion to the
increase of population; second, that DE-
vorces have increased; third, that illegiti-
mate births have increased. These incon.
trovertible facts are either the results Of
vet made clear, and 1 contend that in
either case society has the right to demand
their recognition in the science of political
economy, as directly affecting the equita-
and the condition of all engaged in the
work OF production.
Capital and Labor.
The new school of political economy will
insist upon the livellest activity on the part
Of capitalists to see that their employees are
put upon the best possible footing as to all
the material surroundings of life; that they
have all the advantages to health. morals
and happiness which come from sanitary
regulations and practical education. It will
teach employers that a larger dividend can
be drawn from the products Of q commun-
ity comparatively free from crime, intern
perance, poverty and vice of all kinds than
from one where these things are tolerated.
1t will teach labor to demand Of society the
conditions I have described as the surest
means Of raising wages. shortening hours
and giving them the most attractive and
remunerative employment. The new school
will demand that every one who. in his pub
lie or private capacity, can do anything to
relieve misery, to combat evil. to assert
rights. to redress wrongs, shall do 1t with
his whole heart and soul.
Mr.. Wright emphasized the spirit of his
lecture by referring to a practical object
lesson. the settlement of the differences be-
tween the employees of the Southern Rail-
way Company. in which the company had
met the. men on an honorable and dignified
basis as men. had explained to them the
condition of the system, had been willing to
listen to what the men had to say. and in
this way they had adjusted all the differ
ences. the men going home with a new
dignity, the dignity Of having been treated
as honorable auxiliaries in the business OF
railway transportation, and the managers
having a new dignity added to themselves
as well, for they can feel that they have
been honorable and manly.