Evening journal., 1901-12-21
LApoR.CAPIrAL CONFERENCE


LABOR-CAPITALC CONFERENCE
That which In one generation is re-
garded as an impracticable dream in
the next becomes an actuality. This
is no less true in the realms of ethics
and philosophy than in the depart
ment of science In the endeavor to
regulate the conflicts incident to the
social state. men are apt to be cynical,
since the disputes between individuals
and corporate bodies have marked
every step Of our progress. In former
years courts of arbitration for the pur-
pose of settling international disputes
were deemed the dream of the vision
airy. but these are now recognized as
an important factor in the settlement
OF such difficulties. Columns of satire
have been written on the conference at
the Hague but the results of that
gathering are already apparent. Phila-
delphia has just held a peace confer
ence at which no very definite conclu-
sions were reached. but sentiment
was promulgated and after all, that
rules the world.
New York City in the last few days
has been the scene of most remark
able gathering, representing the great
est capitalists and employers of labor
in the country; the delegates from
labor organizations. and citizens rep
resentng both Church and State.
They have been discussing the relations
of capital and labor, and all utterances
were temperate and sensible. There
was little difficulty in setting forth
conditions as they should be. and there
was general accord in recognizing the
brotherhood of man" and a necessity
OF an application Of the Golden Rule.
Beyond this little was accomplished
excepting the appointment of a com
mittee whose functions shall be 10 de-
eide such disputes between capital and
labor that are submitted to it. There
were protestations from the capitalists
that their only desire was a reason
able income on their invested wealth,
and security from strikes and mob
violence They said, truthfully, that
they desired the workingman to be
prosperous and to have that share Of
earth's blessings which were his natu-
raj portion.
The worl1ingmen were not to be
outdone in generosity, and declared
that the interests Of both classes were
really practically Identical, and that
labor Always regretted the necessity of
antagonizing capital Then the repre-
sentatives of the people added their
word. which naturally was to the effect
that the cordial sentiments expressed
by all parties should be carried out in
practice. and the meeting adjourned
among general congratulations.
Now far be il from us to attempt To
minimize any possible beneficial re-
suits which may be derived from this
meeting. We believe that such ex-
pressions of opinions cannot do other
wise than result in good. yet we mus
not be too optimistic All the capita
represented there, is secure. Its mines
mills and railroads are active ant
prosperous. II has practically no con
fict with labor. since it is able TO pa,
a fair wage and yet realize an enor
nous profit Labor, too, in the ligh
of its history. is in a position to b
content. 1t never looks for mucl
the necessities of life are PRACTICAL
all that experience allows it to dc
mand. It is all now employed at
compensation that enables it to liy
with fair comfort. and therefore, it ha
no complaint
But. if we may judge by the past, Il
present adjustment cannot hol
When the time comes when capital ca
no longer make its great earning
what then? Either the output is r
stricted or wages are reduced, al
then the boasted cordiality betwe'
capital and labor vanishes in an
stant No matter who is at fault, Z
moment large numbers of men a
thrown out of employment or wae
are reduced. there is trouble 30
factions are capable to stubborn'
and of reprisals. AT the last analy
capital employs labor for a selfish en-
10 get all that is possible and to give
tive actuates the laboring man.
duced to this bald proposition it see
like a harsh comment on the v
numbers represented. but it is the C
dinal principle Of all business.
Yet. We do not believe the meet
has been in vain. The two eleme
have been brought together on eq