The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1899-04-15

We ca" !
CINCE the visit to St. Paul of tie
~ delegation of business men and
the committee from the Trades
Asse mbly' and the reputad good results
hcough't about by the conference down
there we have heard considerable talk
about the Importance of working to
create a more mutual feeling between
th. two interests. This, of course, u
atv fair minded person recommends
itself as the only proper thing to do
ar the present time and under exist
ing conditions.
There was time: not many years
ago, when the employer and the em-
picye worked side by side and what was
, to the advantage of one was equally
beneficial to the other. In those days
there were many small factories. AL
over the land were dotted small lun'
ber and Touring mills. The black
smith, the shoemaker, the wagon maxi
er, the carpenter and cabinetmakcr,
carried on small business and employ
Ell few workmen. The man who con-
d,.cted the business was both employer
ana workman He knew what a days
work was; he associated with his fel-
lows and there was a feeling of mutual
interest which today does not exist.
The conditions have changed and in
the natural course of events changes
must follow to meet the present condi-
tiuns. The small factory is a thing
of the past and the small business is
rapidly disappearing; compelled to
give way to the rich man who prefers
to squeeze out all competition and his
attitude toward the laborer is an en-
ti:ely different proposition from that
which existed between the small pro
prietor and his help. Instead of asso-
citation, OF daily contact with the work
men, he scarcely ever sees them, pos
sib]y visiting ,l1e workshops once each
month and in many cases not that Of.
ten. He turns everything over to his
manager, and the manager engages a
aIl-t'riveis to exaar every moments
time from morning until night. There
is nothing, but drive. When the big
wheel in the, engine room makes its
first revolution every man is supposed
to be at his post and there he must
remain and like the machine keep
moving until the day closes.
The employer does not know those
who are supposed to toll for his inter-
est and they know him only as master.
The feeling of fellow interest is ell
tirely gone. The old saying that Gin
union there is strength is just as true
today as it was the day it was writ
te. and only in union can we be
strong. Every year the breach be-
tween capital and labor grows great
er. The capitalist on one side plans
kcw he can get the most out Of
labor and the toiler figures for the
greater returns for his labor. Neither
takes into consideration the others in
terest. They drift apart. The labor
fe" looks on his employer as thief and
tho employer considers the laborer his
natural enemy. Why? Because they
do not get together and exchange
views upon the different issues that
yitally interest them both.
The anti-boycott law which is now
under consideration at St. Paul has
carsed talk enough to settle the most
complicated question that ever came
before the people. Yet an hours con-
sultation between the representatives
Of the interested. parties convinced
both sides that they were not so far
apart, and that ii happy medium could
be struck that was entirely satisfac-
tory to all and neither would be in
jured. And so it goes! Everyone rec
ogLizes that Duluth's capitalist and
laborer should work in harmony to ac-
ccmplish the best results. The EN-
picyer desires it and so does the labor
e: and really neither can live or sue
ceed as well if this result is not
brought about. Both have rights
which the other is bound to respect.
Of course there are employers who are
unfair ana villanous and Duluth has
few of them. On the other hand
there are would-be labor leaders who
spin not, neither do they toil,' zone
sparrow does not make spring.
Neither should one or two dishonest
employers or degenerate "labor- fax
irs'' disorganize the whole plan. The
one simple thing for Duluth's intelli-
gent employers. employees and bus:-
ness men to do is to get together, stay
together, and work together-make Il
general war upon the employer wh1
does not treat his worSmen fairly and
hororably and as a fellow human
should be treated. i