The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-06

on Labor day dealt more intelligently with
the topics treated or better deserves wide
reading than that of Governor Mount at
Charlottesville. The subject is one on
which the Governor is entitled to speak,
both because Of his PERSONAL relation TO 1t
and because he has given it much thought.
His address showed genuine sympathy with
the cause of labor and laboring men with
out a particle Of demagogism, and the
fairness with which he stated the relative
rights and duties of labor and capital was
can find in it much to encourage every
legitimate effort to better their condition
and secure just treatment, but not word
in justification of methods that tend to
promote discord between employers and en-
pioyes or to interfere with the personal
rights Of others. The strike, the lockout
and the boycott were alike condemned
species of economic war. and the point was
enforced that men in all the walks of life
must learn that others have rights to be
respected" Enlarging on this point. he
said
Each individual has a right to freedom of
impinge on the rights Oh others. No in
dividual or organization has right to forci-
bly, disturb the amicable relationship that
exists between any other individuals In their
capacity as employers and employees. The
keen sense of fairness and justice that ac-
tuates the American citizen will not long
tolerate any infraction of the rights that
belong to every citizen of our country. We
must all, sooner or later, learn that our
rights end where the rights OF others be-
gin.
rrt faI int ffnc
facts regarding strikes and arbitration as
means of settling labor controversies. The
tables presented by him showed that in
thirteen years. from 1881 to 1894, there &C.
Cured in the United States 1880 strikes,
involving 69167 establishments and throw
ing out Of employment for greater or less
length of time 3,n4,4O6 employees. These
strikes cost employers in the loss of bust
ness $50 $50, $50, employees in loss of wages
S163, S07, S66 and in assistance extended to
strikers s1O,914 406, making total of $751;
312, 65S. This enormous loss to the industrial
interests of the country is the more to be
regretted because 1t might have been large
ly avoided by resort to peaceable methods
Of settlement. Referring to the work Of the
labor commissioners in this State in the way
of settling labor troubles by arbitration. the
Governor quoted from their report:
The commissioners have in a little more
than eighteen months, investigated thirty
nine strikes and lockouts. Tney failed IN
but seven instances to adjust dinerences
fe ma W was w Nonresident over whom the COM
missioners had no jurisdiction. In four
OF the cases the commission investigated
and reported the conditions of settlement
IN contests satisfactory
ments were secured through the mediation
of the commission, and in nineteen OF these
settlements the workingmen secured either
an advance in wages or other improved con-
ditions. The commission was also instru-
mental in having two boycotts declared on,
and in five instances prevented strikes
through timely mediation. So favorable
has been the impression OF this peaceable
adjustment on both employers and employees
that frequent expression has been made
| to the effect that the services of this COM
mission be invoked before allowing a strike
| TO be inaugurated.
Through the efforts of the commission
| 1855 strikers have been put to work. Thus
it is manifest that hundreds of thousands
Of dollars have been saved to capital and
labor within our borders, the peace and
| dignity of the State preserved, serious con-
ficts between employers and employees
averted and safety to life and property Sc
cured.
The contrast bet Seen this statement and
| the figures relating TO strikes is the strong
est possible argument in favor Of arbitra-
| ton.
The Governor concluded his address with
| a statement, evidently sincere. Of his inten-
| ton at the end of his gubernatorial term
| to retire from politics and return to his
| farm home, there to dwell until lifes busy
| tolls are over" In this retirement the
| Governor will carry with him the respect
! and esteem of every citizen of Indiana who
| appreciates honest, intelligent and coura-
| geous efforts on the part of public official
| to promote the public welfare