Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07

the most widely recognized exponent OF the
strike rs a method of industrial warfare
lust as he is regarded by the public at large
as entirely amcuable to reason and par
ticipator in one of the greatest pacific labor
adjustments of modern times. He Is, per-
haps better qualified to tell the story OF
"organized labor than most other so-called
leaders of Tie workngmen, for he is thor
oughly master of himself and possesses
moreover. a ready command of language III
which to express his Sentiments and ideas.
His book is marked by its moderation,
its philosophical spirit and it's frank state
meut of dis STeeIble facts. Mr. Mitchell
traces the history of the labor organization
movement chronologically. showing what
he cOnccives 10 be the evolution of an ire
sstible force in modern social affairs, the
association of workers in bodies to accom-
plish the otherwise impossible end of sell
defense ana Self-imprOvement lie then
takes UP specific topics and treats of them
directly. one of these, of prime import
ance, is the relation of the trades union TO
the machine Mr.. Mitchell declares that
no proof can be adduced that unions are
hostile to machinery. although the charge,
lie says contains certain appearance or
truth. He acknowledges that in the past
individual workers have fought the intro
duction of machinery. but that the union
the community derives from labor saving
devices. But the workers. he urges. should
receive a greater proportion OF the dement,
of this saving in cost and toll. The man
who buys a machine" he says, does not
and should not have the right to all the
profit which the machine can exact and eX-
tort from the man who operates 1t: ana
the right to use machine, or rather TO be
used by 1t. is one which should be paid for,
just as the inventor is paid in the form OF
Il royalty"
Naturally such sentiments. with which
the book is replete. will challenge the crti-
CiSm of some economists and most en-
plOyers. But They Will find them stated in
admirable temper and with ready flow of
argument to support them.
Mr.. Mitchell deprecates violence in
strikes, saying, under no circumstances
should a strike be allowed to degenerate
into violence" But he adds. later: The
union should not be held responsible for
the acts of individual members done with
out its consent sanction or appreciation,
and even in direct contravention of
distinct and specific orders to main
tain peace The United Mine Workers
of America is no more legally or morally
responsible for the three or four murders
or for the other acts of violence committed
by individual mine workers or by sympa-
thzers during the coal strike of 1902 than
would the Philadelphia and Reading rail-
road he for the unwarranted actions of a
coal and iron policeman in the course of
"A
responsible for the violence of individuals
than is a corporation for the unwarranted
actions of its several stockholders
Mr. Mitchell regards the strike as last
resort. to be avoided whenever possible.
He does not however. accept the PROPOSE
ton of compulsory arbitration. He be-
lieves that such system would in this
country degenerate into state control of
labor. He AYERS that the workingmen are
growing to entertain prejudice against
and a fear of the judiciary. He admits
that compulsory arbitration may be feas-
ible in the case of industries which affect
the of the public utilities. and perhaps
the interstate commerce. but he prefers, as
a general means for the settlement of labor
ques tions, the trade agreement between
workers and employers. This he styles the
treaty of peace. Under the influence of the
greater unions he declares. it will become
agency for the establishment of per-
manently smooth relations between the
two elements whose cooperation he admits
to be essential to the. welfare of the
country.
Nevertheless Mr.. Mitchell is loath to re-
linquish the strike a weapon, and he
stoutly attacks the charge that strikes are
costly to the workers When viewed from
the ideal conditions. he says. a strike is
barbarouS method of settling issues, but
viewed from the economic standpoint it has
proved a necessity, and therefore justiti-
able. AS to the losses of the workers, he
asserts that the good evolved out of the
more than paid for the actual losses. He
says: Roughly speaking. the average
workngman has spent very much less than
per cent of his income on strikes or lock-
outs"
The book is well worth reading through.
1t reveals the thoughtful mind of an ag-
gressive, progressive. well-balanced labor
leader, besides impartng much informal
ton and throwing a light on the inside
story of the great coal strike of last year.
II is fully illustrated with portraits OF abor
leaders. and also of some of the captains
of industry. with whom the former have
from time to time measured swords. Other
Illustrations include scenes in the factories,
coal mines and other places where Ameri-
can workingmen are today earning their
daily bread.
TWO LITTLE SAyAGEs Being the Adventures
OF Two Boys Who Lived as Indians and What
They Learned Written and illustrated by
Ernest Thompson Seton. author Of wild Ami
mails Have KNOWN etc. New York: Double
day, Page and Company. Washington William
1t is recorded that some time ago Mr.
Seton-it is difficult to accept the single
uams-inquired of the readers of his serial
articles what they would best like in His
next book large number of answers
came. and almost without exception the re-
quest of the correspondents was for book
of woodcraft telling what they could them
selves do how they could live as do Indians
In the woods and study the lives of
wild animals in their haunts. 1t appears
that MIR. Seton had then in hand Just such
"A book. and he has now presented it, both
70 his younger and his older readers. as IA
guide to happiness. He condenses his in
SEPARATION to the following predatory note:
because | have known the torments of
thirst ! would dig d well where others NAV
drink" The book is the story of two bows
who, for reasons set forth in the earlier
chapters take to the woods to emulate
the Indians. They have many interesting
and exciting adventures. Every real boy
has at one time or another had the longing
to be aboriginal. These boys of the story
are types and they had typical experiences
save that they stuck it out and learned
their lessons at first hand. The book is
prOfuSely illustrated. Those pictures in
which the author-artist depicts the scenes
I'm the adventures of the boys are not alto
gether successful. His pictures of animals
and sharp black and white drawings are in
the old familiar style and are eminently ac-
ceptable The whole makes book of vivid
interest and much instruction.
WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA; Biographical Die
the United States-l9O3 1905. Established 1899
by Albert Nelson Marquis. Edited by John W
Leonard. Chicago: A. \. Marquis & Company.
Who's Who in America" proved an I'M
mediate success upon it's first issue in 1899,