The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-08-17

With Practical Questlons-In All
Disputes Consider the Interests Of
Both Stdes-Deal With Thinss ~
They Are, Not ~ You'd Like Them.
Conservatism. in its practical import,
does not carry the idea Of sacrifice
inherent right or the subordination Of
those internal verities Of principle and
justice to the dictum Of time-serving
policy and fawning sycophancy. It 10
peculiarly unfortunate, therefore, that
so many worthy people have this err
roneous idea. for this class naturally
base all their hopes for accomplishment
On force. which invariably widens
branches, sewers friendship and antag-
cnizes interests. Should the reader
take the time to study the etymology Of
the word he would find that in giving
1t application in dealing with current
questions the ends of justice have been
reached and a fraternizing spirit Of
friendship maintained. There are cases
certainly, where this course is ineffec-
utilized to rectify desperate troubles.
But these are the exception and not the
rule.
Man (and use the word In its gen.
eric sense), in the great battle of life,
while in the pursuit of happiness, often
does, and always should, set for him.
self an ideal which will call out the
best In his nature and energize his loft
lest impulses. Without purpose and
aim, action becomes routine, wearing
away the physical machinery without
developing the higher mental capabili-
ties, and we automatically obey the be-
hest Of the taskmaster. Naturally,
then when the idea is raised, the motive
power behind action in reacting it
should be free from selfishness as pos
sible. The principle too often actuates
good men in all the walks of life, who
seem forgetful of the fact that in many
instances the claims of others are as
important as their own. No argument
is needed to prove this. 1t is truism
manifest at every turn. Now let us
look at the question as it presents it..
self and then the remedy. We are con-
fronted with two great classes-the
employer and the employee. Both of
these have organizations. There is an
1nterdependence Of relationship exist
ing beWeen them which makes their
interests mutual. And yet, as the weeks
and months go by, problems arise for
solution and difficulties for adjustment
which incite to rancor and estrange-
ment, productive only Of evil to both
and benefit to neither. Changing con-
ditions force the employee to ask relief;
Then comes the employer and says
he proposes to run his business In his
own way. free from dictation; crimina-
ton and recrimination follow; the flght
Is on, and the extremists are in clover
The true test to apply to all disputed
questions is to ask the question, Is it
right :? 1t Is just here that the trouble
begins, and in the disregard Of this
| immutable principle of Justice lives
| have been lost. homes have been sad
dened, and hunger and want sent forth
on their mission of woe. The arbitrary
exercise of power, in the very nature Of
things is not right. II the employer
builds himself and his happiness OF
those who faithfully serve him, he
violates this principle and inflicts a.
wound that may never be healed. If
the employe, simply because he has the
power, tears down the industry he has
aided in creating, he shows a spirit I'M
worthy the true workman. 1T is the
mission Of trades unionism to prevent
this, and not only not to interfere or
dictate, but to protect the employer by
giving him the best labor, faithful SER
vice and due consideration to his every
interest, asking only fair remuneration
for honestly performed work.
But disagreements will come, and
when they do, conservatism should be
the watchword in dealing with them.
| The extremists on both sides of the
controversy would say. Strike" ZAP
| ply the boycott" "abandon argument
and use force" The coll-headed, right
thinking man would say, If we can
not agree, then let us arbitrate and
stand firmly by the result" Such a
. course means a continuance of pleas
ant relations without sacrifice of prtn.
ciple. amicable settlement of difficulties
| and the continued prosperity of all
! concerned.
| This same spirit Of conservatism
| should characterize the acts of every
member of organized labor in their in
tercourse one with the other. The
| worker who truly has the interests of
his fellow at heart. in dealing with
questions appertaining to the general
welfare of the Industrial classes, will
| look away from self and strive In every
fair and proper way to elevate his CO.
worker to the high plane Of independ-
ence and happiness. The experience
! Of history points the fact that genius
has been smothered and brilliant minds
have been permitted to go down In the
maelstrom Of prejudice, envy and jeal-
| ousy. Wherever the effort for better
ment appears and whoever may be
fathering the effort. do not minimize
| and discourage because Of personal bias
and dislikes, but get behind your struR-
Cling brother and sustain him heartily
! by word and act. rs -.,
! The vituration Of the disgruntled ex-
! tremist makes it possible to keep in
! the background material which, II
brought from its seclusion, and put
actively to work, would not only give