The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-01
LABOR DAY AND LABOR PROBLEMS

uAbUh OA1 AM AhOVN UoOuTmo
With such a momentous strike in process
as that in Pennsylvania, Labor Day this
year has an added interest to the thinking
observer. Each year labor as we'll as
capitalistic organization gets stronger.
Let us see what manner, of men these
members of labor unions be. these men
who, unless the wisdom of the nation Is
equal to the great problem set before 1t,
will one day lock horns with capital in a
struggle to the death.
Speaking for the skilled workmen Of
Minneapolis as seen in the impressive pa
rade Of this morning, it may be said with
out qualification that they are splendid
men. If organization has had a part in
making them such fine, free, self-re-
specting manly men all honor to organiza-
ton. II it has not, the organization de-
serves respect for what its members are.
We read much about white slaves, paid
serfs and that sort Of thing. But the
men who paraded the streets Of Mime
apolis this morning were neither slaves
nor serfs If appearances count for any,
thing. They gave distinct impression
Of contented independence and exuberant
prosperity. Altogether they afforded a
very reassuring spectacle, Ninety per
cent Of our people are wage-earners
| in the city. Therefore If you know a
| city's wage-earners you know the city.
| Minneapolis has no occasion to feel that
she will suffer in comparison with other
cities on that score.
\ But these men are not good food for
strikes. Neither the city nor the nation
can afford to have men Of that kind suf-
fer In body and spirit from disputes with
lemployers.
What can be done to prevent these dis
astrous disputes?
In his Labor Day speech at Kansas City
to-day Senator Fairbanks said that com.
pulsory arbitration does not answer the
question. All he has to offer Is the growth
Of a spirit of fair dealing among al
classes, organization, wise and humane
leadership. boards Of Cancellation or vol
untary arbitration and an awakened pub
lilo conscience. Compulsory arbitration
he thinks, reduces labor to slavery and /:
a menace to capital. Then he says tina
such arbitration has failed everywhere ex
cept in New Zealand Yet here is ST.
Edmund Barton, premier Of Australia
telling us that it Is a success in his coun
try and has done away with strikes.
Is the man charged with a crime
, slave because a court of justice tries hi
case? Is the man charged with violating
contract a slave because the law inves
tigates and makes him keep his contract
If employer and employee quarrel and tn
law intervenes to settle the dispute
either a. slave? Compulsory arbitrator
compels no man to work. Neither does !
compel any man to offer work. Perhap
neither labor nor capital demands com
pulsory arbitration. Perhaps the publ
will not demand 1t. But the public is rap
idly getting to the point where it is con
GLIDING that in all great strikes the i'm
portant thing is not what the employer {
the employe wants, but what it's interest
6 require.
No man with faith in human progres
= no man with sympathy for labor or re
4 spect for property rights believes thu
T labor and capital can go on settling the
disputes with clubs.
It If they do progress ceases.