The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-26

their ill-advised demands. have thrown
England out of its proper economic relation
with other countries, so that the power of
the English manufactures to advance is
practically gone. Thus ii seems TO me that
Ii becomes a matter of patriotism among
employers of this country that they should
desire to escape the fatal blunders which
press so severely upon England. We cam
not evade the responsibility that is upon us.
The watchword of the day is organization.
This law must be opposed, not that we
are against the shorter work-day, but that
the right to say how long men shall work
is right which belongs to private agree
ment between employer and employe, and
we deny the justice of government endeav-
oring to regulate those matters which come
within the province of individual adjust
ment. Mr.. Gompers declares that he is or
ganizing unions at the rate of one thou
sand per year. He declares that the pro-
gramme will never be abandoned until
every worker in the country is under the
protection OF trades unionism. We cannot
stop this programme and perhaps 1t would
not be wise to attempt TO do There
fore, ii is evident that If we desire to re-
tain the integrity of our so-called rights as
employers, we also must organize for the
maintenance of these rights.
Again ii is absolutely necessary that
average business man is a child in the
hands OF professional labor leader. These
labor leaders in a sense are profound
students of sociology. and economics: They
debate in connection with these questions.
You cannot go to any city in this country
but what you will find dozen trades
unionists who call themselves philosophic
students of the labor question. These men
talk glibly on the effects, beneficial or 9TH
erwise, of all the great economic move-
ments which the several nations of the
earth have had to meet.
EMPLOYERS MUST STUDY.
Previous to the factory system there was
a time when there was close relationship
between employer and employe. but with
the coming of the factory system, the
average employer is further from those
who work for him than the sun is from
the earth. He has not the time to interest
himself in the individual welfare of his en-
ployes, and he knows not what they are
studying; they are mastering questions as
to which many business men have only a
limited knowledge. 1t may be that these
labor leaders can see but the theoretical
side Of these questions, yet they can con-.
front us with alleged facts and figures
which we cannot deny on the spot because
of our lack of patient investigation.
Gentlemen, we have no quarrel with or
ganiZed labor, and we should have none.
Organization is here to stay. If corporate
capital has the right to organize so have
the men who work the same right to group
themselves into unions for the purpose of
collective bargaining. Therefore, it will not
do for us TO take the position any longer
of ignoring the presence of organized labor.
We cannot do it in safety if prosperous
conditions in this country are to be MAIN
tanned. Our position should be not that of
destroyers of organization among men, but
rather that of commanding these organiZa-
tions If they will but work harmoniously
with economic law to fulfill the highest
destiny of our republic. This destiny cam
not reach its final fruition without organiza-
tion among men.
IF we admit the right of corporate organi-
zation we cannot deny the right of labor
organization. The duty therefore, that is
upon us Is to endeavor TO direct this move
ment along common sense lines. 1t GER
tainly cannot be of value to our country
that laws shall be placed upon the statute
books which restrict the activities of men.
This experiment has been tried in England,
and has proven disastrous.
''The EMPLOYERS of the United States from
coast to coast must find a means of Join
ing hands so that they can protect them
selves from shortsighted laws which mean
their undoing If placed upon the statute
books. Organization should have no other
mission than that of wisely guiding the
economic forces which are gradually alter
ing the system of our government. Labor
the giant is awakening! Ii feels it's strength
its power! The American free school syS-
TEN has awakened new desires, new aspira-
tions, new ideals in the heart of the Ameri-
can youth. The standard of living de-
manded in this country is higher than that
of any other land. Labor armed with giant
strength, but defective knowledge of
material things OF this world. This giant
can be led safely if its existence is recog-
nized but IL left to founder around ann
lessly in an effort to better its own cond-
ton, we need not be surprised If wreckage
shall follow in it's footsteps. But if meet
this force among men-called organization
kindly, firmly, decentlyA asking no ad-
vantage which does not rightly belong to
u.s. but simply demanding that the problems
which stagger us shall be calmly and in
telligently considered. then we shall be able
to move forward without those violent dis
locations which have injured us in the
past to that point of supreme Industrial de-
velopment which should be the natural
destiny of our land.
Among the other speakers at the BAN
uuet were Congressman Dovener. of West
Virginia; l.. F. Loree, president of the Bal
timore & Ohio Railroad Company; Joseph
Ramsey. jr.. president of the Wabash
Railroad and Congressman-elect James
w Brown, of this city. Congressman Dali
zell was POSTMASTER. During the day the
guests of honor were driven about the
city and in the afternoon were given a
luncheon at the Duquesne Club by ex-May-
or William Kennedy. of Allegheny
Negro Migrants to be Sold.
LANCASTER Ky Nov a5-Tuo paoro