The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-13

ed and to capital. which is thus obliged
10 pay for more than il receives in equiv
alent.
"Eighth-They demand the discharge OF
men who risk life to protect employers
interests during strikes, to reinstate those
who were formerly employed. but who
have been instrumental directly or indi-
rectIy in the destruction of life and prop
erty. thereby placing a premium upon
disloyalty and crime.
'.Ninth-They are bringing public re-
proach upon the judicial tribunals OF our
country by public abuse of these tribunals
and often open defiance OF their judgments
and DEGREES. thus seeking to break down
the only safeguard of a free people.
The Remedies Suggested.
''The remedy or remedies for the FORE
going evils lie principally in a correct
public sentiment touching the relations
that should exist between labor and cap
ital. Any sentiment or legislation that
does not recognize and is not based upon
the mutuality of interests Of these two
factors Of our Industrial life is essen
TALLY wrong, and no just remedy can be
expected until this relationship is estab-
lished and maintained by a healthy public
sentiment The tendency among poll
ticians and political parties to court the
labor vote by denouncing capital. trusts.
corporations, etc, may be called the ac--
cessory agencies that have made the fore
going conditions possible. and not until
these factors of industrial existence are
placed properly before the public and
given the protection of such sentiment
lx., rtnI
Improvement in present affairs. Please
understand that l am pleading only for
equal and exact justice for both capital
and labor and the establishment of cor
rect relationship between them and the
correction of abuses in each.
'T do not believe capitalistic trusts
should be mathematical to make political
capital with anarchisttic labor trusts.
Neither do 1 advocate the possible op-
preston of the humblest workman in
the land by the strongest combination of
capital organized or used for that pur-
pose. Both stand in the same relation
ship to the public. and the public should
demand that both be treated with the
same degree of impartial justice. To this
end there are many means that will mu-
tually aid in the establishment and main
tenance Of such a relationship. Among
these means. as this is an age and era
OF combinations. I suggest organization OF
employers In all lines of business as the
first step to correct the evils in contracts
forced on individual employers by labor
unions. These employers could then guar
antee equitable rates of wages applicable
alike to union and non-union employees.
DiTerential Scale of Wages.
"A differential scale Of wages could
then be inaugurated giving equitable COM
pensation to quality and quantity Of work
performed. as against a union scale that
obliges employers to treat employees only
as so many head of individuals. few OF
whom can have proper conception of that
ambition to improve so essential to in
dustrial progress, and none any induce
ment to do so. A sliding wage scale would
then be proper. but based rather on de-
vance deliveries.
"a uniform law that would take the IN
dividual wofkmen out from under any
ban of reproach, such as 'scab' or black
list would aid this general work Of re-
establishing correct relations between
labor and capital and duly protect the
rights OF individuals. A further law should
be enacted that would make it justifiable
homicide for any killing that occurred in
theory of our Government being that any
one has right to earn an honest living
in this country. and any endeavor to de-
prive cne Of that right should be placed
in the same legal status with deprivation
of life or property. The incorporation OF
labor unions should be required and their
members thus brought under legal sur
veilance and responsibility.
In view of the close relationship exist
ing among all classes of our citizens. and
the interdepedency o: all interests, strikes
and bcycotts should be made felony both
By national and State legislation, and to
secure adequate relief for the grievances
fu: which strikes ard bcycotts are inaugu-
rated. l would suggest the formation
OF national and State boards of arbitration
authorized and empowered TO settle ell
matters Of difference between labor ard
capital, and whose DEGREES shall be bind
ing on the parties effected, granting an
appeal. however, 10 the civil courts 10
either party dissatisfied with the arbtrs-
ton The national beard TO have juris-
diction over interstate lines of Transports
ton and their employees, and State boarda
to have jurisdiction over industrial inter-
ests confined 10 State limits.
These boards TO be free from political
influences, selected only for special fitness
for the duties with which they will be
charged. Al differences to be certified by
the parties affected. to these boards for
adjudication and giving both parties res-
sonablo time after adjudication, either for
appeal or for obtaining other employees in
case the adjudication is unsatisfactory The
expense of adjudication to be borne by the
party found TO be in error. This TO be
adopted as compulsory measures OF arbi-
tration and for rendering strikes and boy
colts unlawful"
Movement to Suppress Unions.
Mr.. Thompson declared that the right
to work and earn living was as precious
as the right 10 defend ones home. a
toward the suppression of labor
he said, had been inau-
gurated among the business men of the
South. and would ultimately dominate the
States. and laws for the control CT law
less organizations would be passed. The
enactment of such legislation would be the
result OF a non-partisan movement. For
merly the relations between the employer
and employees in the South had been re-
culiarly confidential. Each felt free TO ap-
rroach the other with any question re-
garding his work or business. In places
where the labor unions have taken root
this is now changed as the employer is
referred TO the head of the union when he
seeks advice. This attitude displeases the
employer. and as result he no longer
cares to seek advice from his employees.
If all labor unions were abolished, he
said. capital and labor would both be bet
ter Off A national board OF compulsory
arbitration with the plenary powers of a
court and able to enforce its decree would.
he thought, remedy the present evils. On
this point Commissioner Kennedy later
asked him il one side would not be dis
with the decision Of the board
and would not insist on fighting the con-
test out Mr. THOMPSON replied: