The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-18
BRITISH AND AMERICAN LABOR
LEADERS.

A London cablegram says that John
Burns, member of Parliament, Thomas
Burt, also a member, and other laborslead-
ers are comforting in relation to the FEAST
bility Of the proposed federation of the en-
ployers' and employees unions. to be known
as the National Federation of Masters AS
sociations and Trade Unions. the objects
being to educate the minds of the employ
ers and employees concerning the grave re-
sponsibilities which rest with them i'm re-
spect to the expansion of British trade, to
devise means to meet foreign competition.
to send joint populations of capital and
labor abroad to inquire into the conditions
of other countries and to provide a fedora
ton where employers and employees may
meet on the same plane The announce
ment is suggestive. Among the progressive
developments of the last century, especially
of the latter half Of it, lone was more
marked than the growth of labor organiza-
tions and the steady progress towards a
better understanding of the true social and
economic relations between capital and la
Dor. There are persons still living who
N1A IVAN NAO OC6AAhAA6 VI OA5dnlLCO ldDOI
in the modern sense, yet now it is one of
the greatest social forces. At first, also,
and for a considerable length of time, the
movement proceeded on the basis of an ir-
repressible conflict and natural hostility
between capital and labor, but for some
years past it has been getting away from
that idea towards a basis of common in
terests and better understanding. Strikes
are less frequent than formerly and the oc-
casions for them less numerous. Employers
are more just and liberal and employees
more reasonable. They understand one an
other better than they used TO. and each side
is more inclined to recognize that the other
has rights as we'll as itself. Arbitration
is more popular. more frequently Iesorted
to and more effective than formerly. The
rights of labor are defined and ~safeGuarded
by wise legislation. and the true dignity
of labor is far more generally and heartily
recognized than formerly. These are val
liable results, but they do not represent a
finished work. The mission OF organized
labor is far from being completed yet. and
will not be until the ole idea of natural
enmity between labor and capital is com
pletely eradicated. Although strike and
lockouts are less frequent than formerly,
they are still too frequent. and although
arbitration is more popular than formerly.
it is not nearly as popular as it should be.
These are the lines on which organized
labor should work. and 1t looks as if Brit
ish labor leaders recognized the fact more
intelligentIy and distinctly than their
American brethren do. Labor unions in the
United States could do better than main
tain salaried walking delegates 10 stir up
strife. manufacture issues and organize
strikes. The money thus expended would
be far more wisely invested in paying COM
mittees TO assist in extending American
markets or sending deputations abroad 10
study the relations of capital and labor
i'm foreign countries and acquiring new
ideas for the benefit of American labor.
The dispatch above quoted shows that Brit
ish labor leaders recognize the Importance
of the expansion of British trade and of
devising means 10 meet foreign COMPETE
ton. Many labor leaders i'm this country
| oppose and denounce steps 10 this end.
They forget that whatever benefits capital
benefits labor also. They should ponder
the action of the British labor leaders.
New markets are better than closed mills,
and a federation of employers and en-
ployes is vastly preferable To the mainte-
nance OF hostile camps. To pay walking
delegates 10 stir up strife is about like
hiring incendiaries to boom the building
business.
The New Voice. the paper edited by the
candidate Of the Prohibition party for
President, arraigns the Chicago press. ~
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