The Washington times., 1902-03-30

Mr.. I. X. Friedman, whose book. by
Bread Alone" has attracted much atten-
tion by its handling of certain phases Of
the labor problem. is in Washington for
n few weeks stay MIR. Friedman is still
young man, although one might sup
pose that the impartial attitude and un-
emotional style of his books could only
be the result of mature years.
The student of the relations between
capital and labor is apt TO have some
theory to exploit or some enthusiasm to
express in any story which he may write;
but nothing of the kind is visible either
in. Mr.. Friedmans latest work in his sec
ond book, Poor People or in his short
stories. He says of himself that he
aims only to be a careful observer and
to write the truth
Depicts Events at Homestead Riots.
Upon being asked whether the Pullman
strike had furnished him with material
for the strike chapters in his novel, he
replied: No; that was taken mostly
from the events OF the Homestead riots;
but the model town described in the
book was partly a description of the town
Of Pullman. You will find in the report
of the investigation by Carroll d. Wright
of the conditions in Pullman. that the
people complained of the rents being 10
per cent higher than in neghboring
places. and of wages being reduced be-
low the living point"
Have you any theory Tor the solution
OF the labor problem?"
Believes in Labor Unions.
"No; except that I believe thoroughly
in the labor unions. / think they are do
ing good work, and accomplishing per-
haps all that can be done at present. The
tendency of the age seems to be not to-
ward socialism, but toward specialization
Government ownership of large manu-
featuring concerns. Capital is of course
more easily handled by a few men than
labor can Re. Hence men like Pierpont
Morgan gather into their hands the con-
troll of great masses OF wealth Morgan
is a genius. The contToi of immense in
terests by such men forces labor into
organization. and this organization is be-
coming more and more perfect. Iepisla-
tion Is now largely in the interest OF
capital. but believe the time will come
when it will be in the interests of Labor.
That is what 1 mean By the specialization
OF industries.
What do you think of the solution
Of the labor problem in New Zealand?"
Compulsory arbitration? / don't be-
lieve the New Zealand plan would sue
ceed in this country. The conditions
there are different. for cne thing, and
what is practicable in a small country
may not be at all feasible in large one.
The population is not like ours. and be-
sides, it is hard to discover the exact |
truth about the success of a:-.....,..ation by |
force there. Mr.. Lloyd. who is believe !
the chief writer on the subject claims |
that 1t has succeeded perfectly. while |
others claim that il is failure. At any |
rate. it cannot be claimed that the plan |
would succeed here"
Work of Unions Not Definite Enough.
What would you say was the chief OBJ
stacle in the way OF the labor interest at
present."
That is large question. but I think
it is that there are sc many interests and
industries to consider mat the unions
have not yet become thoroughly united.
and their work is not definite enough. II
is much easier for man like Morgan 20
control stocks and bonds than for a labor