The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-04-17
LABOR AND CAPITAL.
Views of Savannah Trades
Union Man.

Editor Morning News: 1 notice
that the National Association of
Manufacturers is now in session
in New Orleans. The presi-
dent, D. NJ. Parry, makes assertions
which I not only feel is my right
but my duty as a man. an American
citizen and a wagee Garner, to answer.
President Parry condemned bitterly
the efforts of organized labor, declar-
ing that "all its purposes; are accom-
plished either by force or threats of
force" Mr.. Parry is in error Or
ganized unions teach no such thing and
and l am satisfied he is aware of that
fact. We organize because we think
through union we may better our con-
dition; gain our rights according to
our worth, through the medium of the
laws of our free country, and not as
Mr.. Parry says, by force or threats of
force. We have but one commodity
our physical make up-and we desire
to trade or sell to manufacturers, cap
italists or bosses from time to time as
they may need us, to the best ad-
vantage. l see no chance for our only
product to be of much value, except
for all wage earners to organize
our product, or not sell.
By SO doing we can care better for
our families, having our minds clear
in that direction, will be better men
morally, mentally, financially and
physically, and most naturally better
able to give value received to our en-
ployers.
Why does this National Association
of Manufacturers, representing hun
dreds of millions of capital organize? Is
it for the purpose of helping the wage
earners who toll, hot or cold, early and
late, to secure better wages? 1t is for
the purpose of formulating plans
whereby they can horde up their mil
lions. And where are the millions COM
ing from and where have they been
coming from? 1 believe it is an I'M
disputed fact that they come from the
wage Garner. Without labor we could
not have capital-nor without capital,
would we have use for labor? In that
respect 1 claim capital and labor are
equal, as you cannot buy one without
the other.
Capital owns everything but labor
1t owns ALL commodities imaginable.
1t fixes its own price and gets it. Now,
who are the consumers? very large
ma jority are the wage earners-the
toilers at the Office desk and the man
in the bowels of the earth, whom the
president of the National Association
of Manufacturers classes as all kinds
of outlaws. If men representing vast
millions and owning all commodities
necessary for life and property except
labor--organize-why not we, the own
ers of only one product the labor.
Why should we not protect. defend and
place a value or price on our commod-
ity and demand it.
The gentleman raforraH 70
Suppose clerks, bookkeepers, ETC.,
etc, in fact, all workers outside of
pure manual labor, should organizer"
In his opinion it would be a terrible
state of affairs. l will state for his
information that there are many such
organizations of clerks, and 1
hope to live to see the day when all
wage earners will be united in one
grand organized union. 1t is not on
ly our right, but a duty we owe to our
selves and those depending upon us.
President Parry says: Organized
labor knows but one law. and that
is the law of physical force-the laws
of Vandals. the laws of the saVages.
While l admit we have many crimes
of all kinds in our land, at the same
time / am satisfied many lawless acts
or crimes are brought about by desti-
tuition and hunger. What is the cause?
consider the men that control the
commodities of life largely to blame
Wage earners are not now paid wages
in proportion to the prices of food
and other necessities of life, and hun
ger knows no law. Suppose President
Parry was correct in stating that or
ganized labor knew but one law, and
that is the law of physical force, the
law of Huns and vandals, the law
of the savage. Suppose Mr.. Parry
was correct in stating that organized
unions are composed of nothing
but outlaws. How would he
and his followers fare after
his speech had been made public, sur