The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-14

NHE social and industrial condition OF
our people during the past hundred
years has been undergoing a rapid
change. Capital has been, more than ever
before. concentrated In vast amounts and
applied 10 great enterprise. while labor
has become more and more congested.
The little shop or factory. operated by
the owner. with a few assistants. neigh
bors and friends. has given way 10 the
great manufacturing corporation, man
aged by board of trustees, through duly
appointed officers. who make known their
Will to managers and foremen, and these
in turn direct the operations and command
the workmen. who are utter strangers to
them, with no interests In common, and
with generally a but half-eoncealed en-
NIFTY The needs or our modern civiiiza-
ton have brought into existence condi-
tons and forces Of which our grandfath-
ers knew nothing; with them the indiyidu-
al depended mainly upon himself, labor
was distributed largely upon farms and in
small villages, no enterprise employing
more than few men. comparatively, and
generally but small amount OF capital
was invested.
The owner was usually the managing
head, operating the farm, factory or shop
and attending 10 all the details. until he
was so thoroughly identiued with the
business that success or failure depended
upon his reputation and character. which
III tarn became valuable assets 10 be hand
co Down 10 mis- successor In business
Win tAe coming or the railroad and tel
esraph. and the rapid and great Ceyeion-
ment OF the country consequent thereto
capital was demanded in larger amounts
IMAM the individual. or mere partnership,
could supply. and recourse was had to
joint stock companies and corporations.
by which unlimited capital could be OBJ
tanned and controlled
Inc Old siow-2oing stage coach method
OF transportation, or the system Of
coasting schooners. fiatboats. etc. could
NOT create monopoly of the CARRYING
trade. as any man who could buy or build
fao proper conveyance could enter into
competition as a common carrier. bur the
i3fse amount OF capital necessary 10 build
ahd equip the modern railway or steam
salp line and the control of rieht-of-vay
ard terminal facilities has created a
monopoly in the business OF transporting
freight and passengers.
Inc success attained by these corpora
lions IN undertaking large enterurjses very
soon led to Incorporation for other MIR.
poses. with practical monopoly as the GEN
efat result. During all this time the sndi-
Fsd1a3 has been gradually growing less
ana less important, ana As he has found
hiss Individual effort less and less p-oat-
able. be has tn large degree given him.
SELF over - become a mere part OF some
great incorporated Industry not willing
~. b}It from force cf circumstances h,,y,-
ing AZ nrst 20 be able IN a short fi~oe IN
work for himself ou,y 20 find that the
sougSf-for opportunity had been closed
even before he had begun the search II
the general d!sconten; and disbursement
which has followed. losing sight OF the real
FACTORS n the case. looking az the effect
rather than the cause. or seeing o1iv me
q 81
cisred capital an evil ard has charged
ag&Inst Il all the social and Industrial
wF0rES existing
bitter warfare IS waged between this
clsss e. men snd CAPITAL with hockos,.s
low wages and loss II rroat on the one
haho and strikes. poor service and loss OF
wages Oh the other.
The struggle hetweer carftay ans ,sho-
terrible as il is In tts consequences 70 beth
sides. Is 10 be the more deplaresf becai,se n
Is entirely unnecessary and Estaxiy foolish
Under correct ecanpuic system the in
terests OF capital and labor sre Identical
Capital Is the product OF labor. and IN
der aogrnal conditions IL would be the hard
maiden % labor. aiding L to the uross,s.tfo.,
90 more and more .of those things when
are necessary to the physical and mental
weli-beang os the hurlaG race
Il IS plainly paEG - iae great rlsn OF
hte TIA, man shall produce. by the apoltea-
ton of MS own energy az muscle ard vtgor
% brain 10 Tie natural resources OF rns
earth. al things necessary 70 supply all his
wants, both 10 the bringing os his psyx,eal
being 20 is fullest perfection ana 70 the
development % his intellectual nature "a
lie hignes, possible degree.
Were i not tba. nature has intended
tGat man should produce from her mex
kagStiaie storeAouxs all things NECESSARY
10 his aaErsst physical ard mental wen
being during his soto4rn upon earth. she
would never save iHtruS<ea 20 bis kes ping
tEe ksy 20 her sreasarss-sabor
In tie woadsrf2I diversity % the az
pllcatior OF labor 20 the needs OF mod
era civilization. many People have entire
~ lose slsAs OF TIE fac, that IN those
tAiaSs waica are necessary % tee ..asatgs-