The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-26
Protection Against Labor a Mere In
cident I'm the Work Undertaken
by that Body.
FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE
NOT To CHECK BENEFICENT UNION
Isa, BUT To MEET 1T FAIRLY.
Regards Questions Between Capital
and Labor as Matters to Be Settled
by Members OF Both Classes

1t has become evident to capitalists, and,
indeed. to all who are interested in indus
trial and social harmony, that the proper
balance between capital and labor cannot
be maintained with labor organized and
capital unorganized. That capital deserves
proper employment and a fair compensation
is as patent to the general public as that
labor deserves proper work and fair COM
pensaIion. But that capital in is danger
OF being imposed upon. and that 1t is threat
ened I'm its proper sphere of activity Is
point on which the public is not informed
BY sketching the work of the one organiza-
ton Of national scope that wants TO do for
capital what the American Federation or
Labor is doing for labor, shall show that
the reed of active protection Of capital
against the encroachments Of organized Ia
Dor is coming to be realized in America.
Although we have heard much Of or
ganized capital. there has not been In this
country until recently any such thing as
organized capital The organization is yet
so incomplete and embryonic that even
now the term organized capital may be
consi 1ered a misnomer. But the combina-
tor CT ca pital for common protection Is
progressing. assuming definite form and
purposes. and will soon justify the name.
What has heretofore been called organized
capital is really consolidated capital. which
is entirely different. Consolidated capital is
the combination of resources for the pur-
pose Of increasing the money-making power
OF invested capital. Organized capital is
the combination of men of similar interests
In the employment OF labor and in the bust
ness administration of their industries, not
primarily to protect themselves against Ia
Dor, but to promote the industrial pros
perity Of themselves and OF the country.
The protection against labor, though impor-
tant. is incidental.
The power OF organized labor. like that
OF any human organization, II Unrestricted.
becomes selfish and tends to subordinate
the interests OF all classes to the interests
OF one class. Trades unionism and capital
are both striving to dictate to one another
four things: % Who shall be employed; CD
the length OF time employees shall work: CD
the amount OF work they shall turn out: t4)
how much they shall get for work. Capital
heretofore has maintained its side at a dis
advantage on account Of lack of organiza-
ton. and trades unionism has profited
thereby, partly to the unbalancing OF power
between capital and labor and to the dis
turbance OF the natural laws Of trade. The
distinct need Of capital. so far as II deals
with labor. Is an effective counter-orsaniza-
ton that will equal in power and influence
the combination of labor. a national fedora
ton Of employers that can enforce the ar
bitration of the four things contended for.
and that can curb the sociaiistic tendencies
OF organized labor.
ASSOCIATED MANUFACTURERS.
L.
bringing together the powers and intelii-
gence OF the capitalist class, is the Ma
tional Association Of Manufactures Of the
United States. This is tho largest and
strongest trade organization In the world,
whether capital invested. labor employed
or output is considered. 1t was formed in
Cincinnati In 1895 at a mass meeting of
manufacturers, who set forth their pur-
pose In organization. declaring for the de-
velopment OF home and foreign markets.
reciprocity In trade with foreign countries
"as far as practicable" a judicious sys-
tenn OF subsidies to favor the restoration
and extension Of the American merchant
marine. the construction and operation
OF the Nicaragua canal by our own gov
eminent the extension and Improvement
OF natural and artificial waterways by the
government and the connection of the great
lakes with the rivers of the Mississippi val
ley and the Atlantic seaboard. 1t will be
noted that the organizers of the associa-
ton gave no sign OF having the labor ques-
ton In mind. The association now has
over 1900 manufacturing establishments on
sts roll. each of which contributes $50 a
year to the associations working fund.
Since the association has developed an ag-
gressive policy towards organized labor.
this policy being the growth of the past
year. the membership has doubled. At
present the membership is growing at the
rate of about 80 per month. The associa-
tion is concerning itself with national and
state legislation. publicly or secretly. as
may seem best for results. Through its
officers committees and members 1t deter
mines and tries to secure what will be
beneficial for it's members and the Nation
in the way OF legislation. and 1t determines
also what legislation desired by others it
will promote or antagonize. 1t was the
most powerful instrument in effecting the
establishment of the new Department of
Commerce. and 1t was largely instrumental
IN having passed the isthmian canal bill
1t Is now pushing consular reform and Is
pressing measures of postal and patent re-
FORM IL vigorously opposed ana was the
chief instrument in defeating the eight
hour bill and the anti-injunction bill in the
last Congress. both OF which were drawn
UP and urged by organized labor. The re-
sistance 10 organized labor has been the
chief work of the association the past year
and in defeating the two bills mentioned IL
claims its first decisive and momentous
victory over the forces OF the opposition.
The righteousness OF these bills is a matter
of economic discussion 10 which there are
distinctly two sides. Through public dis
cussion and propaganda the labor leaders
have acquired a large share OF public
sympathy. The view OF the public, like
that OF the protagonists OF labor. Is thus
largely one-sided. AS Mr.. ID. M. Parry.
president OF the association. says ''the
chief work that lies within the province
OF the association Is an educational one.
Organized labor owes its present power
mainly to the support OF public opinion,
which II has obtained through constant
agitation The thought and sentiment OF
thousands OF those who lean towards the
cause OF labor are based upon ex parte con-