Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-09-05

only by propositions that have their
origin in, and are actuated by joint
and representative council For I'M
questionably confidence is the only re-
liable agency or medium that can rec
oncile the interests of miners and op-
orators, when any differences arise,
and place them on substantial basis
with harmony. At least, it is evident,
that strikes emanating usually from
the impulsive and unpromising ele-
ment of organized labor, and always
from lack of confidence in the operat-
or, have never been very effective in
establishing favorable results. Never
theless, organized labor is necessary
and needful, to a certain extent, and
very advantageous if properly manag-
| ed, but when controlled by rash and in
discrete persons who are guided more
or less by outside influences, it be-
comes a menace to business and in
the main dominatiye and arrogant,
and tends to compel capital to COM
| bine for protection, thereby widening
the breach between miner and operat-
or, that otherwise should be united in
| their common efforts for the purpose
| of contributing to the welfare of the
coal industry. Full confidence in and
respect for each other, by the operat-
/ ors and men, and all other business
come under the same rule, would en-
tirely overcome the great evils, (for it
/ is surely nothing less), and strikes
and lockouts would be unknown.
J Exercise tolerance and moderation
/ in the light that each have rights that
! the other should respect, keeping in
view at all times that the man who fur
nisbes the muscle. strength and intel
! lect to mine the coal should be cred
lited in their business relations as the
equal of the man who furnishes the
/ capital and enterprise to build and op.
crate the mine.
, Operators. miners, and transporta-
ton companies should all Danish pre-
| iudice, avoid competition, as regards
both wages. freight and markets, and
endeavor to establish confidence to
the trade commercially. Promote and
protect home markets in all the inter
est Of miners and mine owner, while
all general business would be apprecia-
tive of its beneficent results. For be
You'd doubt the Inauguration of these
principles and practical demonstra-
ton of their motives would eliminate
with success.
| The question may be asked, what is
an equitable basis, upon which to cal
culate the earnings of the men. If
you ask an answer of us, we can only
say what appears to us as the true
answer, but we want it distinctly UNI
derstood that it is neither our prerog-
alive nor intention to give advice on
such matters, but we do not consider it
out of place to give what our opinion
in the matter is. and without fear of
favor, it is this: The total earnings of
! the labor of the mine or any other
business for that matter, should equal
1.-THE net earnings of the business to the
! operator, or to make it more .clearly
understood after all expenses of the
| business! including wages of the EN-
| ployes and cost of transportation is
paid. the net sum remaining should be
divided in three parts. one-third placed
to the credit of wear and tear of the
plant, one-third to the credit of inter-
est on the canital invested, and one
| third to the labor, divided on basis of
percentage. the wages of each one as
compared to the gross wages for one
year. In fact it would be an advanced
system of profit sharing. With such a
system in general practice, strikes
with all that is ruinous that follows
them would be a thing of the past.