The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1899-08-25
sTRTKEs AND STRIKERS.

What mean these strikes that are
agitating the industrial field Of the
United States? They have become cpl
demic. During the last presidential
campaign the republican party told the
opposition parties that hard times, fin
anciaI depression, and strikes, IN fact
all industrial crises, were the inevitable
results Of a low tariff; that under q
high protective tariff system new vigor
would be injected into the veins Of
commerce and industry, wages would
increase, and prosperity once more re-
turn.
But such a theory for universal ills
has proved to be faIlacious. Since Ia
Dor does not come into direct compe-
ton with commodities, tariff does not
control the price Of labor, and the
cause Of contest between capital and
labor must be elsewhere sought.
Capital is a derivitive product Of land
and labor. OF all classes Of people on
earth, the capitalist thinks himself in
dependent But whence comes his
wealth? Is he able to call into exist
ence fortune byany might Of his own?
Mo- The smsn with the hoe" has been
his source Of strength, and in return
for the long hours Of ceasless tOiIing,
the application Of bone and Drawn, the
capitalist has esteemed himself more
highly and viewed the labOrer with
more contempt. Nearly a century and
a quarter have passed since this nation
dared to claim their independence
from the imperial grasp Of King George,
but the wOrkiDgman is now struggling
against the remains Of feudalism. He
is a subject Of an absolute monarchy
whose king is capital
LabOrandc capital are interdependent.
Many times both the employer and en-
plOye lose sight Of their common inter
ests. They prepare for industrial war.
The man who tolls, If he is compelled
to labor too many hours, finds his work
becoming erksOme; he treats with his
employer for relief, but in case Of no
agreement he must strike. Or, if he
finds that his wages is unjustly low for
the service rendered he has q perfect
right to ask for an increase in wages.
Being refused he must strike to gain
his point Thus is entailed loss both
to capital and to labor, and the time of
harmony Of interests farther removed.
Strikes viii be not an unfrequent oc-
eurrence as long as the capitalist is ar
bitrary and disregards the right Of the
working man. Profit sharing is a step
toward industrial democracy. 1t has
been tried time and again and does
away with strikes.
A capitalist who employees 1000 men
gives his plan of operation, which is
along the line Of profit sharing:
Al my men know every year Just how matters
stand Every little while call them together
and say: Now, boys, last year 1 made so much
this year I made less; 50 you. see I cannot nav
you as much as I did last year. Now, I want to
know what you think ought 20 have as a per
eentage out of this establishment. and what
wages ought to give you. You know put all |
my energy II this business. put al ny fortune |
II 1t and risked every thing. What do you really
think ought to have and you ought 10 havels' /
by the time We come out Of that consultation
We are unanimous there has never been an ex-
eeptlon. When We prosper, we all prosper to
gether; when we suffer we all suffer together.
and ny men would die for me.
such candid and just dealing as this
between emplOye and employer would
forever put an end to labor strikes.
politicians might try for an eternity of
time to theOrize strikes out Of existence
OF tariff talk, but it can never come
until there is a kinder feeling Of bro
sherhOOd among men.