Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-04-29
HANNA N PARRY.


d. M. Parry, president OF the Ma
tional Association of Manufacturers
made a bad break in his remarks at
New Orleans denouncing labor organ
izations. He has evidently discovered
this by the irritation displayed in re-
plying to Senator Hanna's public dis
approval OF his attitude and utter
ances in his address at. Columbus
during the recent convention of Anal
gamated Association of Iron, steel
and Tin Workers. AS chairman OF
the National Civic Federation he was
invited to address the meeting and
impart some information as to the
work being accomplished in the d.
%rection of bringing about more amaca-
BILE relations between employer and
employees. In stating the object OF
the Civic Federation. the senator said:
I'VE start from the standpoint of
a determination that, no matter what
the obstacle, no matter what the diff
fculties that can strew our pathway,
feeling that We are right, and with
the earnest desire to do that which
is right. recognizing the mutual inter
est which is embodied in this propo-
sition, we are going forward, encour-
aged at every step we take. | say
a mutual interest, because you can
not separate the interests of these
two great factors which underlie our
development and prosperity; one is
as necessary as the other, equally
important each to the other.
ITO you. my friends, is due the pol
icy of agreement, to you is due the
practical workings of an organization
starting upon the principle of mutual
interest and inviting your employers
to join with you in the settlement Of
a scale, which means an annual agree
ment. That is the underlying prin-
ciple which is the most important fac
tor in this great problem.
I'm other branches of business,
notably the United Mine Workers,
following that example, we have had
for five consecutive years absolute
peace and comfort.
IL advocate the doctrine, recognize.
ing the fact that you cannot separate
the interest of the operator and EN-
ploye, that there must be a common
ground upon which the employer and
employee can meet on friendly terms,
with the determination to do what is
right and feeling that is the solution
of the whole question
Mr.. Hanna then takes a fall out OF
Mr.. Parry by showing up his unten
able and selfish attitude and in his
plain, blunt way says the latter does
not know what he is talking about.
The trouble with Mr.. Parry is that
ultra conservatism ant selishness
seems to be his underlying fault. He
does not view the question in a broad
spirit. Even II one admires his frank
ness and courage he cannot accep'
his logic and conclusions. He speaks
of conditions that have been rele
gated to the past when he yearns fol
the return of the days when the EN-
ployer and the employee contracted to
gether as individuals and the former
arbitrarily fixed the days pay and the
hours of labor. These are the days
OF combination and organization ant
vast enterprises, in which the arti
zan almost, II not quite. loses his
identity and individuality. Only in
organization could he expect to re
ceive his just dues. He could moi
trust alone to the generosity and fair
ness Of his employer. Both the EN-
ploye and the employer are often iso
lated and unknown to each other
Personal interest in the welfare of The
former Is quite impossible except in {
general way. Corporations are sale
to be "soulless." While this may b.
putting 1t too strong they do often ap
pear Indifferent.
Senator Hanna, a large employer o
labor, understands the situation. HI
recognizes that there is wrong Of
both sides. He realizes that there /
danger in the arbitrary exercise o
power on the part of labor organize
lions. but he is not intolerant or fol
getful of the right of toilers to organ
ize. The demands of the latter ma.
at times be unjust and unreasonable
; but no sane man would denounce tn
principle of unionism because 1t |
: occasionally abused by the few.
: AS president of the Civic Federatio
Senator Hanna is trying to bring cal
: ital and labor together. Believin
that their interests are mutual he
. striving to secure ~pleasanter relation
between them to the end that strike
may be few and far between. 1t ma
Il he a nrrnnA Anrl. L,,t cnrnlu tho ON