The Delta independent., 1904-02-05
PROBLEM OF LABOR UNIONISM.

A notable contribution to cur
rent literature, and one of timely
interest in Colorado. is to be found
in the National Magazine for Feb,
ruary. 1t is written by Senator
NJ. A. Hanna, who has had long
experience with labor unions, and
whose success in business has been
largely due to his ability to deal
justly with those in his employ
and to look upon both sides of the
problems that have been presented
to him for consideration as an en-
ployer.
Senator Hanna is an outspoken
advocate of the unions and believes
that their existence is not only an
advantage to the workingmen
themselves, but that it is benefit
to the employer and to the country
at large. He deprecates the prom
inence assumed in these organiza-
tions by the agitator and the dem
agogue, and declares that the un-
ions are fast learning the lesson
that the best leader is the one who
keeps them out of trouble instead
of bringing them constantly into
the midst of it.
In regard to socialism Mr.. Han
ma is outspoken,d declaring that this
doctrine influences the popular
mind against all initiative and per-
sonal energy, which have been the
very essence of American progress.
In this respect Mr.. Hanna's views
are identified with those of the
best labor leaders. 1t ought to be
evident that theory that puts all
men on an equality without regard
to their skill,industry or economy,
and that would deprive labor OF
the direction by which alone labor
can be made profitable, is incon-
sistent with any reasonable effort
of the wage earners to promote
their own interests.
But the most important part of
Senator 1Ianna's paper is that n
which he points out the necessity
for cooperation between capitalists
and unions in order to advance the
interests that are common to them
"My plan," he says, sis to have or,
ganized union labor Americanized
in the best sense and thoroughly
educated to an understanding OF
} its responsibilities ,and in that way
} to make it the ally of the capital.
ist rather than foe with which tc
} grapple." That is certainly the
sensible view. and the one that is
; held by conservative and farseeing
men in the labor organizations.
The Socialist utterly ignores the
necessity for capital and the talent
for organization and the ability to
manage large enterprises, even
though he violates his own theor-
les constantly.
Capital and management are cs-
sential parts of every enterprise
and they are entitled to share in
the rewards of industry. Labor
unions find that 1t is not possible
to commit the management of their
affairs to men engaged in daily la
Dor in trade, and that capital
must be accumulated in their bus
iness is to be carried on properly.
Senator Hanna declares that the
American labor unions are becom-
ing more conservative, and this is
undoubtedly true among those that
have been longest organized and
that possess the greatest intelli-
gence among their members. And
it is also true, SO far as the Chief.
tan has been able to observe, that,
taking the matter generally
throughout the country, there is a
greater disposition among the lab
or unions to look at the industrial
situation in broad minded way,
and to establish such relations with
their employees as will avoid hosti-
li:ics and will promote co.opera-