The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-02-16
AS TO LABOR AND CAPITAL.

The New Orleans States is congratulate
ing its city upon the very cordial rela-
tions existing there between capital and
labor and declares that such condition
is "one Of the many hopeful indications
Of the promising future If New Orleans
The occasion for these gratifying con-
illusions by the States is an interview
in one Of the New Orleans papers with
Special Agent Durham of the government
labor bureau of Washington. who had this
to say;
NO other city of the size of New Or
leans In the country can boast OF such a
contented feeling as that which exists In
labor circles here. ! have discovered no
| friction among the classes ! have Ia zeal
with OF any sort or description. If tLcre
was any latent friction IL would be MANI
, tested during this Mardi GrAs season, when
all hands are exceedingly busy, and much
more than usual is expected Of the labor
ing man.
II ind there is no semblauce Of a
strike nor a strike contemplated In any
line Of business. ] have made a systematic
Investigation Of the Industries here and
found notable feeling Of harmony dis
played among the workers in all Of the
various lines Of trade Not only Is the nm
ploye satisfied. hut the employer is Ia the
same frame of mind
The States very properly says there can
be no such thing as security for invest
ment or permanency Of prosperity where
constant cause Of friction exists between
capital and labor, between employer and
employe. The disturbance of amicable
relations between these two essential
factors In industrial effort and CONNER
| cial progress must necessarily cause a
setback to the prcgress OF the community
in which such friction occurs, and the in
| terruption caused by such friction in
niets damage and less to both parties as
well as to society"
Union labor has been one OF the natural
and necessary outgrcwths OF the Indus
trial conditions OF the age. Its primary
objects have been two-fold-combinat
for mutual benevolent purposes and as a
protection against the tyranny of capital.
But unionism can also become oppressive
and exacting and when melted to ex-
aravagant demands by walking delegat es
or ward politicians for selfish ends an
protected in aggression by local govern
ment, 1t con easily kill the goose that
lays the golden egg by alarming investors
and preventing a multiplicity of new en-
terprises II is no uncommon thing now
adhys to hear moneyed men decline 20
subscribe for stock IN industrial ventures
on the excuse that they do not want "a
put their capital at the mercy OF labor
agitators." community noted for its
labor troubles can not in the very nature
OF things hope TO secure as large invest
ments OF surplus capital in manufacturing
or corporate establishments as can one
where the friction between labor and can
ital is less.
The simple fact Is. and the true friends
OF labor who have no demagog!c purpose
In misstating the truth will not hesitate
to say So labor can become as dangerous
iy aggressive to its own best interests as
It can suffer from the impositlons Of cap-
ltal.
The two are mutually dependent unon
each ether. Capital has this advantage
chat It can find Investments In public
securities and rent producing proper ie 8
If II does not care to venture into inius.
trial enterprises. Unionism should be lib-
eral In its dealings with capital inst as
capital should be liberal with uulonlsm.
spirit OF compromise. % Cancellation 90
live and let i've" should move both the
employer and the employee Then we will
see any community in which such spirlt
controls constantly developing. New
avenues Of employment will be continual
" opening % labor and new sources OF
profit unfolding to capital.
New Orleans is to be congratulated. in
deed II these are the conditions which
exist there The IDEAL state industrlally.
in fact, is where the employee is conserve
tive and satisfied and the employer is
Just and contented, 1t can in truth be
said OF such community that this Is
one Of the most hopeful indications OF
| a promising future"