The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-12-20

and improving his mind is the man to
lead and ally himself more closely with
our American civilization"
MR.. FOSTER OF BOSTON.
Mr. Frank *. Foster was then intro
duced. He spoke as follows:
Mr. President Ladies and Gentlemen:
II seems almost a pity TO disturb the
impression created by President Faunce's
speech. These great primal charities are
pleasant things to contemplate and ad-
mirable TO study. / have been connected
with labor nearly 20 years.
In the early DAYS there were no presi-
dents TO give us words of cheer. In one
year | have been I'm gatherings OF edu.
cational nature where al least four presi-
dents OF colleges have been speakers.
With every word uttered here tonight
every man Is thoroughly in accord. We
have been striving for Just this position
and thank God that labor unions no
longer need defense for their fundamental
propositions. The degree OF recognition
formerly accorded may well give the as
surance that the wage-earner was nearer
the truth than he was accredited. Tt has
not been spontaneous growth. but comes
from deep down where the burdens are
almost too onerous TO be borne.
IL is true that the cause OF open hos
ulity, the greater part Of the friction or
the factory has been generated by ig-
norance.
STANDS KoR ARBITRATION
Trades unionioh has stood for arbitra-
ton. bu. stands in the position OF q weak
nation. America. leader OF the nations in
equity, builds her navy for peace but the
burden falls on the working man. The
employer did not listen to organized labor
TIL forced We regret the pilitancy but
appeal TO ethical prncipleFto feed the
% 0o0 az Fall River did not avail much
The only remedy IL the power OF collec-
tive bargaining which will enable them to
sell their product at the best price The
trouble I'm the Industrial world Is that the
buyer OF labor asserts that "ths IL my
business and IL shall not be run by 9TH
ers'
Is there such "A thing as equity in the
product of the factory where the working
man has been concerned? There are two
sides TO the labor bargain and the voice
OF labor should be heard when the bar
gains are made, The main point is What
IL the use? II the union has n construc-
tive side then IL should stand Otherwise
Il should TALL II is the main boast OF
these crafts that they better and benefit
humanity
What has the trades union secured7 II
has given opportunity to men by virtue OF
more leisure for Improvement, sanitation
and has protected the woman and the
child
II has done for the child what the
farmer does for the creature he rears.
Preserved IL till its bones and muscles
have matured
LOCAL CHILD LABOR
why are Rhode Island factories filled
with children? Because OF the desire for
dividends because the labor cheapens the
production.
Labor unions have statutes I'm % states
regulating this condition. The labor
unionists are not infallible. Nor would
any other large body OF men be so These
two millions are not law breakers. but
workers for the public good. IL Is not the
fair player who IL the object OF attack.
The ma jority are fair but have TO regulate
their affairs by the unscrupulous OF their
kind
There Is nothing unfair about the union
man when he says TO the unscrupulous
employer when you rob our children OF
schooling and health and our homes OF
happiness you must stop But where YOU
beat your competitor by brain and in
genuity we glory In It, Communities I'm
the West are not organized and there is
no American standard of living.
Trades unionism stands for an American
standard OF living Every reduction OF
wage Is a reduction OF the economic ef-
feet as enforced The mere matter OF
money is not 90 live II is better to know
life. nut this opportunity II not given TO
the child I'm the shop.
The union I'm broad reaching effect
gives this chance 90 live to the child
Freedom I'm Industry has'not yet been