The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-23

LanoR.s Duty TO ITSELF.

LADOR'S DUTY TO ITSELF.
The disastrous strikes in the coal
regions and the cotton-mill districts OF
New England, and that among the en-
gineers OF England, must not be al
lowed to pass without calling attention
10 their warning. Strikes are not a new
weapon; they have formed an incident
Of industry for many years, but they
are increasing in magnitude and In the
wasteful loss to the entire interests OF
the country.
II sympathy for the drudging masses
will not prompt consideration of the
subject by the employing class. per-
haps the great body of the people viii
be aroused 10 the need OF some
ameliorating measure if they can be
brought 10 realize that their welfare is
enormously involved in the subject. 1t
Is becoming seriously manifest to those
who watch the signs Of the times that
labor is growing more intelligently
alive to its potentiality and more acute
Iy determined to be regarded as some
thing more than a mere dumb tool in
the workshop Of industry.
1t is not an easy problem tn deal with.
For centuries public opinion has accept
ed the condition Of the laborer as a
necessary evil. The laborer has been
regarded as fortunate If he got work
to do which would keep him from
starving. The American laborer is bet
ter off than his fellow in Europe. but
that lis entirely due To his own efforts.
ANY concession he has obtained, any
addition To his comfort that he enjoys.
any opportunity he has won for adj
vancefpent Is due TO his superior in
telligence his greater energy and his
determination. The mechanic is better
OF, but the unslSilled Iaborer is COM
PEELED To make daily struggle 10 Sc
cure wages which viii afford more than
bare subsistence.
Any Improvement in the condition OF
labor must come from itself II must
be secured first by cooperation and
then by legislation. The eight-hour
law is one OF the means; trades union
ism must become the cause. But 10 be
efflcacious unionism must recognize
those immutable laws of trade which
employers are compelled. whether they
wish Il or not. whether they profit
through II or not 10 recognize The eight
hour movement is partly the cause Of
the distress In New England. Not OF
itself. but because Ii has been partially
applied there and not 10 other sections
Of the country. 1t has not gone To the
extent of an elght-houg law among the
mill hands. but II has taken step to-
ward 1, by limiting the working day to
ten hours In the Southern states the
twelve-hour day gives the manufac-
turers an advantage over the New Eng
land mill owners. The best way TO
retrieve New England Is To work for
the ten-hour law IN the South.
should direct their attention To Is the
right Of contract. The IDEAL condition
Is that every American citizen should
hold unmolested the personal right az
contract But we know that this would
lead 10 imposition. The right should
therefore be delegated by the individual
Ia his union. Manufacturers are COM
PEELED Il make contracts far ahead.
They can figure on the probable prices
OF material but never, except in
Isolated eases. upon the price or labor.
There are some districts where the
unions have the power 70 agr-2 with
employers upon a schedule which shall
be strictly observed for certain tire.
II usually proves satisfactory, tn -
successful 1t fanss De rigislly ap7ise,i IA
every iedusty az lake character IN the
country suhiect 80 varying conditions
70 b calculated In a3vauce. T. effect
this. all lahorvTs IN a given Industry
must cooperate with the unions--ln
other words. all should hecors. userr
hers Of uuioa 50 that there shall he
40 underwriting.
This would enable Any worap1rran
q cssan.Sss anc iaaee.ry % snow