The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-02
LABOR'SCRfATDAY
CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE9

earnestly desired. Arbitration has been
much discussed and sometimes invoked oy
mutual consent. but the difficulty or estap-
fishing an arbitral tribunal in which both
interests would have absolute commence
has been generally recognized.
Compulsory arbitration has been sug-
gested but IL has found few advocates. II
II not acceptable TO either interest ana
wherever IL has been attempted IL has been
abandoned, except in New Zealand, where
the experiment is not proving altogether
satisfactory. and has not accomplished all
its authors hoped. Compulsory arbitration
IS regarded as an unnecessary and grieVous
limitation upon the freedom OF both labor
and capital. II reduces labor to slavery
and II a menace to capital II Is destructive
two great forces are so delicate that they
are not TO be governed by the rigid fiat OF
either the Congress or the legislature.
LABOR MUST BE FREE.
1--WE want no slave labor. Two million
men, with their blood, wiped away slave
labor forever. We want no labor, either
black or white. in a virtual state of serf-
dom. Labor must be free. with all the pre-
negatives which pertain TO freedom. 1t
must be free to sell its commodity in the
highest market So capital must be like
wise free to buy labor where labor desires
to sell its commodity. There must be rec
iprocity Of privilege, reciprocity OF oppor-
tunity.
Labor bureaus and commissions have been
established In many OF the States at the
instance OF labor. They have done much
10 promote the interests OF labor. and have
successfully mediated many cases of differ
ence between capital and labor.
The true solution of the questions arising
between labor and capital lies in an awak-
ened public conscience; in a thorough in
cuication OF the principles of fair dealing
among men; in organization, and in wise.
humane leadership. and In the establish
ment OF boards of Cancellation or arbitra-
ton. which are absolutely free from the
xn.f1t - ali @6 Int cfc ar M
1tical demagogues. to which the interests
concerned may freely and confidently ap-
peal.
I'VE have hitherto found a powerful aid
toward the adjustment of disputes in an
intelligent and just public opinion. After
all. the most powerful influence for good is
enlightened. wholesome public senti-
ment. There Is potency In the public
conscience which is stronger than consti-
that annrovs there is no wrong that will
not be righted. With its approval no
strike can fail; without Ii none can succeed.
To its omnipotent fat all must ultimately
yield.
lone of the most gratifying and reassur-
ing developments of recent years has been
the formation of the Civic Federation. 1t
is composed Of the representatives of both
labor and capital; of men eminent for their
wisdom and their sense OF justice; men pos
sessing in a married. degree the public con-
fdence. The functions of the federation
are essentially advisory. Its kindly offices
may be invoked by either labor or capital.
whenever labor and capital are disagreed.
1t has already amply justified its creation.
Although but about two years DID, 1T has
composed many differences acceptably TO
those concerned.
ats distinguished chairman Senator
Hanna informs us that ii has but once
failed 20 effect a settlement of the differ
ences attempted by 1t, and that was In the
case of the deplorable strike now In prog
ress in the anthracite coal regions OF Penn
sylvania. In that case both parties did not
Had they done so / firmly believe that it
would have effected an adjustment upon
terms of entire Justice, honorable alike to
all the great interests now contending Tor
.sThe work of the Civic Federation will be
watched with hopeful interest. That IL Will
be successful in all cases in Erecting Sat1s-
factory settlements no one believes. but
there is no doubt that 1t will be able in
~Inany cases to point the way to a just solu-
ticn OF the matters in difference, and that
many lockouts strikes and contests. waste
full and destructive TO both labor and cap
ital and embarrassing TO the community,
may be avoided settled. Let US hope
that we are making progress towards the
substitution of some rational, peaceaole
method for honorably and sensibly COM
posing the disputes which are likely 10
arise between these two great forces In
aorganized labor has undoubtedly done
much TO secure a reduction IN the hours
of labor The movement for reduced hours
has accomplished much that is beneficial
beneficial not only to labor, but to the COM
munity There should certainly be some
time out of each day when the toiler may
have an opportunity TO cultivate the home
and the Preside, and to make of himself
something more than a mere part or the
z1kcnine--yith which he works. There
SHOULD be a margin of each day for self
cultivation. for the improvement of the
man. rather than the machine. In the
end there will be better man and better
worker and better results TO the employe,
the employer and the State.
CHILD LABOR.
There is no greater evil than that OF
child labor in workshops. factories and
mines. Labor organizations have done
much to correct this evil in many of the
States and are making commendable effort
10 eradicate 1t where there are no laws
TO govern IT. Public attention is being
sharply drawn to this crime in Southern
cotton mills A condition exists there
which Is intolerable and which should not
be permitted to continue in an American
Mr.. e j. Lister. a representative of the
Dry-goods Economist. has carefully ex-
amined the subject. and publishes the re-
suit of his Investigations as follows:
'First-That from one-tenth to one
fifth OF the total number OF cotton opera
.. 'Second-That they work from eleven
TO twelve hours day.
'Third-That they are paid from 10 to 50
cents a day.
'Fourth-That boys and girls from four
teen to eighteen make from so to Is cents a
day.
'Fifth-That adults rarely earn over 81
day. and that on piecework
'Sixth-That the children's work though
not heavy. is grinding and nerve-racking
'Seventh-That the constant buzz of
whirring wheels. the high temperature and
Initiated air-conditions inseparable from
cotton mills-wear down the stoutest frame
and strongest nerves. and the children so
employed ere long lose the bright eve.
healthy glow and elastic step which are
the common heritage of youth.
'Eighth-That in many cases these
urchins are held in hopeless bondage to
their illiterate. heartless and Gvaricious
parents.
'Ninth-That the normal order of things
Is, alas. too often inverted, and the sad
dening spectacle presented OF weak children
supporting able-bodied parents, in lieu OF
parents supporting their offspring
'Tenth-That not one out OF twenty of
such toilers can read and write
The American Federation OF Labor re-
ports similar results. IL is estimated that
there are upwards of 1000 children under
CT Alabama, Georgia. Mississippi North
Carolina and South Carolina. and that near
~ one-hEH of these children are under
twelve years OF age. while some of the
number are not more than six years old
1t Is reported that some New England mill
owners have been establishing factories in
the States where child labor Is not pro-