The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-08-10
Senator Hanna Speaks to TO-
900 on 'CapitaI and Labor
HAVE A COMMON INTEREST
Says Labor Leaders Are Just as Com
petent as Capitalists to Discuss
She Questions at Issue and
Should Be Consulted.

Hanna. of Ohio. addressed an audience
of 10000 persons at Chautauqua today up
on Labor and capital" Much Of his ad-
dress was along the line of the address
given at Urbana, few days ago, but
but there were many new utterances as
we'll Among other things he said
To-day the United States stands fore
most in the ranks of nations in its in
dustrial life We are blessed with great
er natural resources than any other
part OF the globe
"Organized labor is an imported arti-
Gle; it came to us with the influx OF
population from the old world. from con-
dtions which do not and cannot exist in
America. 1t was organized there under
conditions which make labor antagonistic
to capital, a feeling that every employer
was against labor. Organized labor is an
institution that has come to stay. 1t Is
an institution that is promoted by labor
ing men who seek to protect themselves
and whose hope is mutual benefit In early
days organized labor went upon the
theory that the only way to settle labor
difficulties was to strike, but 1t is my
theory that 1t is becoming recognized
that there is a better way to settle such
differences.
From what know of human nature
every man has an approachable spot and
the best way to reach that spot is by
kindness. You can reach men by coming
near them and learning their conditions.
Not Always Wrong.
ITO say that labor leaders are In the
wrong is not always true; to say that
the majority of them do not intend to do
right q a mis- NV theory iS that ~
you appeal to the head and heart you es-
tablish a bond between the two fac
tions that cannot be broken. The Civic
Federation is trying to establish a con-
dition Of absolute confidence between eAl-
poyer and employe. We remember the
golden rule and try to live up to its prin-
ciples. This is the only way that know
to settle disputes between capital and
labor.
rs this practicable? Yes provided you
treat the men in your employ as you
would have them treat you. / know that
the tendency in this country and the
world has been to selfshly appropriate
the larger parts Of the benefits of in
dustry to capital.
tAs long as labor was in a situation
that 1t must submit it did so, but in the
twentieth century, when thinking men be-
gin to think seriously upon this ques-
tion, they made up their minds that they
the laboring man is entitle to a greater
share of the products of industry than he
had enjoyed In the past We must give
them a large share of the profits of in
dustry which they helped to create. But
there are other grievances than the mat
ter of labor, which demands attention.
Therefore, workmen, banded themselves
together into organizations for their own
benefit; organizations which through
proper means will enable them to reach
that source of power which will bring
a remedy. These organizations, so far
as I am familiar with them, carry bene-
fetal features; mutual assistance to the
members and their families.
, VIII Appeal for Justice.
'As long as 1 live and have my strength
shall do as l am doing today, appeal
to my fellow countrymen and all citizens
who are interested in these great social
questions to appreciate these conditions.
The time is here when something must be
done. We must forget the idea that
there are any classes in our govern
ment, we must forget that there is any
differences between the man who labors
with his hands and the man who labors
with his brain. We must strive to bring
the different factions together upon the
ground that both sides want to do what is
right. 1t is fact that more than fifty
per cent of the strikes in this country
have been settled in favor of the labor
ers. We must concede, then that they
are right in the majority of cases and
that capital is wrong.
'I believe that the labor leaders are
1ust as honest, Just as earnest and just
as competent to discuss and act upon
these great questions are the capital
lists Give them credit for this and you
will form a trust which will need no
constitutional amendment, trust in
each other. You cannot separate the in
terests Of capital and labor. When you
talk about organized capital in this coun-
try you talk nonsense. There is no mo-
nopoly ir this country, except such as
are protected by patents. There is
great dea said from a demagogic stand
point against organized capital In this
twentieth century. the evolution from in
dividualisn to organization is perfectly
natural This evolution has led up to
great changes in the methods of the
production and distribution. Invention
which threatened the hand labor have
been made in all lines of industry, but
they have been turned to the benefit in
stead of the destruction of such labor.
Invention is the natural sequence of ed
ucation.
Organized Capital Necessary.
'.Organized capital is just as necessary
to get at the proper condition of indus
try as organized labor. This organiza-
ton of capital has come to stay, just as
organized labor has come to stay, and
for the same reason it Is necessary You
cannot separate the interests of capital
and labor If 1t is good for one to be
organized for any purpose, it is good for
the other for the same reason. They are
both good and necessary as applied to
our conditions today and our develop
ment for, the future
"When we reflect how many men were
at the loom, the forge and the work.
shop, who are now capitalists. 1t is an
inducement to the laborer to do his best
When you attempt to put a check on en-
terprise, backed by ability and brains,
you limit the power for the best develop
ment of the resources of this great coun-
try.
Union is not only strong for the bene-
fit Of labor, 1t is strong for the benefit
and development in all lines, bringing
individuals together in a force that is
Irresistible"