The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-23
SENATOR HANNA WRITES
VIEWS ON LABOR UNIONS
Justifes Workingmen in Banding
Together for Mutual Protec-
ton and Education.
TRUE ALLY OF CAPITAL.

BOSTON, Jan. Ex-senator Marcus A.
Hanna contributes to a February magazine
an article on Socialism and the Labor
Unions" 1t embodies in concrete form
some of the conclusions drawn by Senator
Hanna from his observations and expert
ence in business and in politics. After ex-
pressing his belief in the power of educa-
ton over the American people, and declar-
ing that the basis of right success is in
fairness and justice. Senator Hanna writes:
The instinct or Workfngmen to band to-
gether to protect themselves is no more TO
be wondered at than the same instinct when
shown on the part Of capital Now my plan
is to have organized union labor American
lied in the best sense and thoroughly
educated TO an understanding of it's re-
sponsiblities, and in this way to make it
the ally of the capitalist, rather than foe
with which to grapple.
Il took some time to consider the work
of the Civic Federation and am firmly con-
WINGED that 1T is the object to which l de-
sire to cOnsecrate the remaining years of
my life. l fully appreciate that it is a
long struggle, but the progress al
ready ,, made = under the motto of
the Civic Federation, the golden
rule, has surpassed even my most san
guine expectations, and l sure that
the American people will sustain a policy,
based on the highest moral and social i'm
pulse, which Will eliminate the passionate
prejudices that now exist between capital
and labor.
For every workman, an average,
there are two jobs now in the heyday of our
prosperity, and il is expecting too much of
human nature TO suppose that workingmen
will not desire larger share of the profits.
No one who is acquainted with union labor
for the last five years can fail TO recog-
nze the wonderful advancement that has
been made in conservative, cOOlheaded and
thoroughly practical management of these
matters by the workingmen themselves.
Labor organizations may be open to
sharp criticism at times, but il cannot be
fairly stated that they are always wrong.
If every man is treated as a man and an
appeal made to his heart, as well as TO his
reason, it will establish bond of confidence
as sure foundation to build on. While
labor unions may have been a curse TO
England, / believe that they will prove a
boon TO our country when a proper basis of
confidence and respect is established"
THE menace of to-day as / view il is
the spread of a spirit of socialism one of
these things which is only half understood
and is more or less used To inflame the
popular mind against all individual initia-
tive and personal energy, which has been
the very essence of American progress
Both capital and labor must yield in
time to the great law OF fair dealing man
TO man. l wish / could impress on every
American the individual responsibility that
rests each one of us. Every year of
experience, every dollar of accumulated
ca pital, every talent we possess should be
regarded a sacred charge for the good
of the Nation. 10 help in uniting the inter-
ests of rich and poor. learned and I'M
learned"