The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-25
THE COMING LABOR CONFERENCE.


The conference of organized labor to be
held at st. Louis on the Goth inst may prove
to have an important bearing not only on
the general strike but on other phases of
the labor question. There is evidently
great deal Of unrest in the labor world, and
some Important questions seem to be de-
handing settlement on some fair and en-
during basis. Among these are the wage
question and the eght-hour question. AS
to the latter, the tendency for many years
past has been steadily towards shorter
hours, and it is a question to be carefully
considered by capital as well as labor
whether the time has not come for the
adoption Of eight hours as a days labor.
The reduction was first from fourteen or
fifteen rours to twelve. then to ten. and lat
terly in many occupations to eight. Under
an act OF Congress eight hours constitute
days work for all laborers, workmen
and mechanics who may be employed by
or behalf of the United States This in
cludes workmen employed directly by the
government or by persons having govern
ment contracts. Between one-third and
one-half of the States have eight-hour
laws, and the system seems likely to be-
should declare in favor of a concerted effort
to secure it, it will probably succeed.
The wage question is more difficult of
settlement, being complicated with the law
of supply and demand, the condition of
business, the right of private contract, etc.
General conditions or general principles
like these cannot be controlled by legisla-
ton, and any agreement regarding wages
made between employers and employees
must be subject to future revision as the
necessities or interests of either party may
require AS long as human nature re-
mains as it is the employers of labor will
be trying to obtain it as low as possible,
while workmen will be trying to get as
much as possible. The conflict is an ire
pressibe one unless it be settled on prin-
ciples OF equity and altruism which human
nature is yet far from having reached. Co
operation or proft-sharing in connection
with a fixed scale of wages would seem to
offer a fair basis of adjustment, but COM
paratively few employees seem willing
to adopt 1t. 1t IS not easy to see what the
coming conference of labor leaders can do
in the matter without cooperation or con-
cert of action on the part of employers. 1t
is very emphatlcally question with two
sides.
Another possible outcome of the confer
ence is a sympathetic strike of all labor or
CARNATIONS in support of the miners. 1t is
probable this was the main object in calling
the conference. The call was issued by the
national executive board of the United
Mine Workers and was indorsed by the
heads of some other labor organizations.
If the object of the St. Louis conference is
accomplished the present strike would be
extended to nearly every branch of labor
in the country. 1t remains to be seen
whether labor organizations which have no
direct or special interest in the miners
strike will engage in a general strike of
sympathy at a time when there is every
assurance of steady employment and good
wages in every line of industry. The rail-
road men are probably the best organized
department of labor in the country, and
the present outlook for them in the way
of employment and wages is very bright.
Their officers and leaders are sensible, con-
servative men, and it is very doubtful if
they can be induced to join the miners
strike. The same is true in greater or less
degree of some other labor organizations,
and it is doubtful if the attempt to organize
a general strike will succeed.
Another matter that will come before the
conference is that of government by injunc-
ton. The call is addressed Ito organized
labor, it's various divisions and subdivisions,
and to all reform, social, educational and
scientific bodies who condemn government
by injunction and the use of force to CO.
cree the people and deprive them. of their
rights as American citizens" The greater
part of the call itself is on this line, and is
quite infammatory in tone. 1t contains
such passages as these:
The present struggle has assumed a con-
test for the preservation of civil liberty
and constitutional rights.
A crisis in the affairs of the Nation has
arrived in which all patriotic people must
consent to live under the rule of an Oil
garchy of wealth or whether the institu-
lions of free government, the, rights of
free speech and peaceable public assem-
blage are to be preserved.
The courts have deserted the temple of
justice, and now stand forth the defiant
bulwark of confederated capital.
The courts, although under oath to serve
the rich and poor alike, have volunteered
to defend the sordid interests of the rich as
against the God-given rights of the poor,
and now threaten to turn the Calling guns
and WinchesterS of criminals and thugs
against all who dare protest against their
despicable restraining orders.
When such sentiments as these are ut
tered by excited individuals they are not
worthy of attention, but when they are APP
proved by the leaders of several large labor
organizations and made the basis of e. call
for a conference of all such organizations
and all others sympathizing with them,
they must be recognized as representing a
phase of current thought. If the st. Louis
conference should fall into bad hands or
under bad leadership it may become a
propaganda of dangerous doctrines.
--e-O-@-
nEATEGN BY PROSPERITY.