The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-09-27
Ca mot be DESTROYED.

1t is the natural and logical result of
commercial strife. Its future develop
ment may be retarded for a time by
unfriendly legislation, but it cannot be
destroyed: it may be controlled, and
the people may ct some time decide
ing the Industries it controls, but this
much may be said, There is little hope
for returning to the days Of keen COM
petition, and the small industry as the
factor In our commercial life"
Ignorance has had much to do with
the difficulties Of the past; not that
kind of ignorance that is defined as
lll1teracy, but each have appeared to
be- uninformed of the troubles, the
griefs and the worries of the other.
difficulty when it seemed that each
had reasonable ground for complaint.
This emanated from the cause that
there was too great distance between
them. Some argue that the relations
OF the emplOye and employer are not,
and cannot be identical.
The Distinction.
We have in the last few years reach
ed a stage in human history at which
it became necessary to define in a prac-
tical way the status, rights, duties and
Dor and capital. Let me note here
that 1 distinguish between capital and
wealth: Capital is that portion Of
wealth employed in reproduction. The
distinction involved is an important
one. All capital is wealth, but all
A man may have much wealth and
use little capital. Wealth is as it is
had; capital as it is used. For example,
a man may live in house worth $4O,-
900 and have 10000 invested in a ship,
from which he derives all his support,
and which forms his capital. It may be
asked: Is not the house itself capital?
It is, so far as necessary to production
in sheltering the producer and his fam
lily. even with the style and comfort
yond this it ceases to be capital.
Labor and capital have been antag-
onists. There has been much folly in
this antagonism. They are partners
and should divide the results Of indus
try in good faith and in good feeling; =,
politics, may ALLEVIATE their interests,
and set them at discord. Capitalists
may encroach on labor. Laborers may
in their madness. destroy capital. Such
is the work Of ignorance and evil pas
sions.
Depends Upon Moral Efforts.
The fact that labor will not surrender
it's right to strike ought not be an
impediment on the efforts to bring
about conclliation, any more than the
refusal of the nations to abolish war in
order that international peace may be
esta ablished. The successful relations
between capital and labor will in the
future depend largely on the moral
efforts of the parties.
aI5s esss es sgstssas4ss
for the complete organization of labor
is having a telling effect upon the
character. methods and nOlicy of the
individual worker.
AS the trades unions will continue
to grow in power, and with this growth
they will press their demands for recog-
milton, it seems to me that there would
be greater assurance Of contentment
could they deal with some one direct
ly in authority, who made it business
to study the conditions Of the en-
Dloyes, such as the nresent managers
have not the time to do.
All men with an honest purpose in
tend to be fair. Many difficulties have
been prolonged by misunderstanding
and mock pride. The main idea should
be to see that each has a thorough un-
derstanding of the others conditions
and needs. This can best be secured
by close communication.
Everything indicates that the future
relations will be more pleasant than
during the immediate past. We can
all be Of some service in Fastening the
day when capital and labor will know
not Injustice or enmity.