The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-09-26

Employer and EmpIoye Works In
jury to Both.
The first defense of trusts made by
a. representative of organized labor In
the employer and employee convention
at the Exposition building, Mime
apolis, came from the pen of w. E..
MeLwen, of Duluth. secretary treas
urer of the Minnesota Federation of
Labor and editor of the Labor World,
who yesterday morning addressed the
convention on the subject of the "Fu-
ture Relations of Labor and Capital"
The subject of trusts has been handled
gingerly by the delegates, who general
ly avoided direct discussion. Mr.. Nc
Even, however, boldly declared:
81 hold that any effort to destroy
either the modern organization of labor
known as the trade union or the great
er corporation known as the trust will
be futile and reactionary. Both are the
result of long periods Of growth and
both are here to stay.
Combinations Are Natural.
"The organization Of capital on the
So-called community of interest plan
is nothing more than an Improvement
on all past efforts at organization. 1t is
the natural and logical outcome of
commercial strife. Its future growth
may be retarded for a time by I'M
friendly legislation but it cannot be
destroyed. There is little hope of re-
turning to the days of keen industrial
competition and the small industry as
factor in our commercial strife
He pointed out that ignorance was
the great cause of strife between capt.
tai and labor; ignorance of both sides.
Employe and employer must realize
that their interests are more nearly
Identical than either think; that an
tagonism results only in mutual injury.
The time is coming for definition of
the status, duties, rights and immuni-
ties of the two great producers-labor
and capital-but upon the manner of
such a definition Mr.. McEwen had no
suggestion to offer.
q. Should Eliminate Speculation.
Prof Charles ZuebHn, associate pro-
fessor of the University of Chicago,
was the first speaker at the morning
session. His topic was: "The Relation
of the Public to Capital and Labor"
The public, he said, is concerned that
both capital and labor shall receive re-
wards conductive to industrial eftic1-
ency. 1t is to the interest of society
to eliminate speculative positions and
Sinecures, and to give to capital such
GQcOQrdSG11GnL dS Will 1Gdd 10 SApSII-
mentation in new methods and In seek
ing to keeping new markets.
1t must protect the worknen from
excessive labor and anxiety; but it
must also protect itself by limiting
stewards to legitimate services, and in
sisting upon the fulfIlment of indus
trial obligations. He said the public is
interested in industry for four reasons:
Consumption is the root Of all produc-
Nfoi nf industry is jn0i-
rectly the agent of society; the work.
ing mans standard of living determines
the character of our civilization, and
the public may be compelled to assume
certain industries for the proper salts
faction of human wants.
Ends in Spirited Debate.
After a tranquil course, unfiurried
save for few discussions the employ
ers and employees convention ended IN
a warm discussion over set or reSo-
Iutions favoring an eight hour day law
The resolution was introduced by Is. r.
Ward, and stated that it was the sense
of the convention that the eight-hour
day was the first practical step IN the
solution Of the labor problem.
Eiqht Hour Motion Cried Down.
The motion at once received a Sec
ond and came before the convention
for discussion. Objections were raised
to committing the convention to any
specific measures by some, while 9TH
ers argued that if the convention was
due to accomplish any good at all II
should begin on something else than
talk. The arguments flew thick and
fast for a time until Terrence V. Pow
DERBY recommended that the resolu-
tion be withdrawn, as it was destined
to be defeated. The consent Of the con-
vention was thereupon obtained for its
withdrawal.
Will Organize Permanently.
The success of the convention led to
= the appointment of a committee, con-
sisting Of Prof. ]. B. Clark, of Cedar
RAPIDS, Iowa; Prof. F. L. McVey OF
fine University of Minnesota, and w
%. Wiman, of Minneapolis, to arrange
for a permanent organization. The
committee met at the West hotel last
night and considered plans for per-
nanent organization Invitations were
received to meet at Chautauqua next
wear, but were laid upon the table. Nc
business was transacted and the meet
ing adjourned until today.