The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-09-02
Thoughts for Labor Day.
.\HRorGH the New York Her
aid Bishop Potter has given
Il publicity to some timely

"HROrGH the New York Her
aid Bishop Potter has given
4 publicity TO some timely
thoughts bearing upon the
present and ideal relations between
capital an1 labor, especially considered
in the light of the steel strike. lie was
asked if the massing of the great steel
plants into one vast machine had not
given to the workers the idea that they
must strike for unionism now or never.
He replied; Very likely. But may it
not also have been moment calling
for the greatest discretion? The time
for the great leader was never more
mantestly at hand than when this
strike matter was discussed The
workers select their leaders on prinCi-
lies known to themselves, but how
many of them have stood the test of
leading a great strike or otherwise set
Ting great labor question? 1t some
times appears that they are selected
for reason apart from their powers of
judging or acting sagaciously in great
situations"
How can the situation he bettered
for the workers in the discussion of
their difficulties with employers" the
bishop was asked He replied by
learning from contact with them. This
may sound obscure since the two stand
so ohstinateiy apart. but il would be
better for all. better for employer as
We'll as employed if each learned 10
understand the other better
9TH" man who does not wish TO Join
q union must not he forced to. hut
rAither must the man who is a union
iSt he comrelled to give up his union
while the employer Is al liberty to
Join trust. No employer will continue
his business If he does not make a
profit. While human nature remains
as /; is the workman VIII insist that he
set IN wages some share of increase of
proht. and capital should he content
that this is so, for it means enthusiasm
in work, which must exist where pro-
gress is looked for. Tnionism which
would heat down all workers to a dead
level Of skill and effort would be as
harmful 2 s the corporate management
that beat down all workers to the Level
OF unskilled laborers. To maintain in
dustrial aFcendancy constant upward
growth of master workmen from the
ranks of the toiers is necessary. II
has been the commonplace of American
industrial history, and no system
unionlst or corporate, that opposes il
or discouraGes it can have a permanent
place in our institutions. independence
In workman or master should not bt
destroyed, The problem is To brina
thai spirit of freedom. OF independence
inte accord with the new condition
made by associated capital and associ
atea labor
In other words, progress is more Ger,
tain through cooperation than through
antagonism. But cooperation, to b,
effective. must be honest. Labor's righ
to Organize is as sound as capitals 8
hut each must be judged by results
Where those results are good it proves
that the organization is intelligent,
directed, but where they take the form
of strikes and boycotts on the on,
hand or of gouging and cheating ol
the other, they cannot last. There 4
no netter principle for the guidance o
both workingmen and employers thar
the Golden Rule; and ultimately /
must be the guiding star.