Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-12

disngreements arise they should be settled
by systematized arbitration in accordance
with poined agreements between the en-
ployers and the employed, involving the
recognition OF unions, For the union move
ment has been for good always; here and
there II has destroyed the individual in his
marked capacities above other men, but In
the equilibrium established by union
forces the best interests OF the greatest
number have been conserved. Therefore,
l believe that anything which will work to
the fuller recognition Of the union prin-
ciple on the part OF the capital Of the
country Will be OF far more significance
than will the mere patching up Of a forced
agreement for a fixed period. Just as the
union is recognized. Just to that extent Il
is forced into responsibilities which Il
could not shirk II IT would. The time may
come when it will be advisable to incor-
porate unions, but It is not yet here; Il Is
enough that union labor is recognizing that
the union which repudiates its contracts
literally kills itself.
American should take the lead in this
coming understanding and mutual recog-
milton OF rights between labor and capital.
As a people we should be more in sym
pathy with labor than almost any other
people on earth. Our ancestors worked
49, NhNh Ahd Ahtg Ndult ntI 1Ounkt
active, vigorous and progressive and they
were the literal builders Of the new coun-
try. We should not have a class so soon
out Of touch with the man who labors with
his hands.
with a logical understanding between
capital and labor it might seem on the face
OF the situation that the public would need
to protect Itself. With competition more
nearly obliterated, however, the price Of
commodities may be more nearly subject
to the regulation established by demand.
No Necessity for Prosperity. =
There is no necessity in society for that
condition described as prosperity. At the
best, it is a season In which the careful
man looks to laying up enough to carry
him through the lean years that, because
Of the competitive system, are sure to fol-
low. There is an immense difference be-
tween the idea Of a general welfare existing
in society and In the dream of the socialist
OF the time when man shall exist on the
fiat levels Of sloven ease, devoid Of ideals
and insenate to the finer impulses Of his
nature.
The general we'll being Of our, country,
as compared to the ebb and flow of the
tides Of prosperity and panic under the
competitive system, may depend immeas-
urably upon the certainty of work for the
laborer and upon the certainty OF a market
for the product Of the capitalists invest
ments. For the capitalist freedom from
strikes and the certainty that at all times
he may operate his industries upon a basis
Of fair remuneration for his employees would
be an incentive against overproduction. 1t
would be an inducement for capital to
employ men for fewer hours in the work.
ing day. 1t has been said by those arguing
against the shortening of the working day
that for a man to work eight hours and
have sixteen hours to himself was a pro-
portion Of idleness that can lead only to
intemperance and crime.
This position was regarded with a good
deal OF interest in the anthracite investiga-
tion, and l may say that l am certain of its
fallacy as an argument. There was a bet
ter class Of workers in these fields than the
public was led to believe. There was not
more drunkenness there than exists in like
communities elsewhere, notwithstanding
the fact that many Of the employees In the
mines would leave work at 2 o'clock in the
afternoon. Examinations were made Of the
drinks dispensed in the mining regions, and
the reports made by the persons interested
in the showings were that the beers and
whiskeys sold there were not below the
average in standards.
States Authority should BE Supreme.
LAS TO the operation Of the eight-hour
rule, / am convinced that as a man has
time from the treadmill Of labor, to that
extent he is most likely to find attractions
in his home and family life. This has itt
influence upon the housekeeping, upon the
tidiness of the house and upon the meals
that are served, until, with proper food and
comfort in his home, the man is far less
likely to seek the saloon than II his abb
sence for long hours Of fading toll left him
in a condition where the stimulating effect
Of drink might seem a necessity.
"In whatever respect IL may become
necessary for the law to deal with the con-
troversies between capital and labor I think
It cannot be denied that the law has the
right to prescribe. The authority OF the
state should be supreme. Short OF that
point where universal distress might be
worked upon q helpless public the Law
should find its right, and again. as concerns
capital especially, the laws supremacy
must be found in the fact that except for
the power OF the state and its concessions
a corporation with it's rights and privileges
cannot exist.
Certainly It Is a truth not to be dis
puted that II something is not done toward
the destruction Of our destructive competi-
tive system socialism will find its oppor-
t~un.tg."
Unions should he Temperate.
Bishop %Spalding. speaking OF the posi-
tion OF the workingman in the present con-
dition OF society. urges upon the unions
the necessity OF a policy of temperance that
shall appeal not only to the ~nonunion man
to join. but to the employer to recognize
the organizations.
To-day the trades unions needs to be
counseled to a more conservative policy
with reference TO men and things. II needs
to modify its attitude toward the non
union man; to temper It's sversions TO
new inventions; to curb it's disposition
to limit output; to discourage the most
efficient workers, and TO resort to the sym
pathetic strike and the criminal boycott.
American laborers are not socialists,
much less are they anarchists. They are
for the most part religious, law abading
men, and unionism as II exists today in the
United States Is a benefcient and con-
servative force, and where the unions are
strongest their influence is most helpful.
'The church should do what is possible
for 1t to do to improve the social and
economic condition OF the people, but II
will work more effectively by illumining
and purifying its own members; by in