The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-02

brother employers progressively de-
n; nded that they lower their cost OF
Ttoductlon. This they might do by in
treaslng the efficiency of the machinery
osed, or by securing more sufficient
process OF productiaa, or by exactMg
nre wor from tkety labarcrs for |, >
Hay. He showed that since force ahvs "a
| followed the lines of least resistance tn,
employers generally trlod - lower cost
lot prouction by exacting more work for
less pay.
The supply of labor is greater than
the eman This forces the iaborer into
la ependent position and he is forced
TO accept whatever terms or conditions
that the employer may oner. He then
stated the negatives Interpretation of
the question as follows: In these three
great branches there can be no perfectly
healthy conition for the evelopment of
our inustrieS, because OF the employers
necessity TO lower the cost ot prouc.
ton an the lahorers' necessity 20 accept
vlateVer terms the employer offers, Now
lii labor unions result permanently i'm
less healthy cohitions than would ex-
ist ii there were no unions, then they
are inimical and should be condemned.
ON the other hand IT labor unions re-
suit permanently in more heanny condi-
ticns for the increasing OF our indus
trial efficiency, than would exist II there
were no unions. tnen unions are not in
lmcal but are positive benefit aud
should be approved"
He quoted Prof. Ely, OF the University
of Wisconsin, the report of Industrial
Commission, Chairman Interstate Com
merce Commission, and writer's in maya
zines. all at great length. showing the
unhealthy condition before labor organ
ixed.
He concluded his speech by showing
the effect of these conditions on our in
dustrial development.
MR. JOHNSON SPEAKS.
Mr.. Johnston, second speaker for Car.
olna on the affirmative. first surveys the
ground covered by Mr.. Wright and then
proceeds TO show that the labor unions
OF today do not act in accordance with
this universal law OF all progress On
the contrary they manifest a spirit of
caste: they disregard the rights OF all
other agents of production ana make
nionsm paramount TO industry" He
then shows what the rights are upon
which industry depends. and shows that
the unions disregard all OF them. so
eioty for the sake of industry has grant
cd to the employers and laborers GER
tain fundamental rights upon which IN
dGatry depends, Society declares that
every employer has a right TO hire whom
ho pleases when they seek employment:
that no has q right to buy his material
where he pleases. And above all trat
1 h has q right TO possess his property
an1 use Il in any legitimate way
To the aborer society grants the right
OF personal security. which includes the
right to work undlstmbed. 1t grants him
the right to work, where employed sub.
icet only TO the rutes which the welfare
of society may require"
The speaker then shows by the acts
OF The unions. by statistics aud by the
Industrial Commission that all these
rights are disregarded by the Unions e
r,eohes the logical conclusion that unions
from their very nature set themselves
in opposition 10 the welfare of industry
He then notices union effects upon Ger
tain Industries. Shows that our ship
building industry and the steel industry
lave both suffered severely by unions and
drSws a practical lesson from the coal
strike. 1T, may have benefited the Ia.
borer but TO pay for his advance we lost
the supply OF coal 10 English coalng sta.
tions throughout the Atlantic. 126 mil
lion dollars was wrung from an innocent
ana suffering public. want and hunger
threatened every home and destruction
stored every industry in the face" And
yet the unions are not satisfied.
He then macs hasty but graphic sum.
mary of the ofI-argument. allU concludes
BY saying: "ln the face of such effects
the labor union cannot be listed among
tac friends Of industrial development
MR.. PATTERSON CLOSES.
Mr. Patterson. for Georgia. second
speaker ON the negative. dealt with the
permanent effect of labor unions upon our
producing factoIS--capita and labor.
Unions have increased the efficiency of
those factors Unions have increased the
efficiency oil capital by bringing abou,
frat, the natural selection of the most
eniclent employers: second. the use OF
new machinery and new processes of
manufacture: third. strong Industrial
organisation; fourth. the natural selec4
tlon oi the most efficient la5orers Unions
have increased the efficiency OF labor 10y
hetterIng the condition OF laborerS gen.
orally. This raising of the standard life
OF the aborlng Glasses rests upon the in
dustrlal development in increasing their
efficiency and wants. This results I'm in.
creased efficiency and production on the
part Of capital. Unions have better Ia
borers economically. Unions have raised
wages. This is especially seen in the
bituminous coal mining industry. and in
3 ee clothing rades Iulrcalagi lwb.et
have brought increased output. but have
not brought higher priced articles. |
Unions have better lahorers physically |
They have shortened the work daY and
have thereby heightened trade lfe The /
eight hour law. brought about by unions. |
has increased efficiency and output This |
is especially seen in the coal mines. /
Unions have done away with the sweat |
shop system, and have brought safe and /
sanitary conditions OF employment
Unions have better laborers socially /
They have brought about Saturday half /
holidays and the eight hour work day /
This has gwen laborers more leisure and /
so hes brought about an opportunity for
with one another. This has
brought mere eontentment asd more /
efficiency.
The standard OF morality has been raised