Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-02-20
SENATOR HANNA ON LABOR AND
CAPITAL.

ma ~ 49, ttbhIt
tions and experiences of the senator
In his business and political life as
applied TO the great questions con-
fronting capital and labor. He ak.
pressed his belief in the power Of edu-
cation and the practical application OF
the golden rule as the only way M
settle the economic problems Of the
day.
The article says, In part.
There Il no more en~groBsing qnas
ton than that Of the relation between
labor and capital, which seems the
paramount issues today.
THE instinct of workingmen to
band together 70 protect themselves Ii
no nor 70 be wondered at than the
same instinct when shown % the part
4 capital NOW, my plan is 10 have
organized union labor Americnnized III
the best sense and thoroughly educat-
It'll 10 an understanding af ita respon
fillilitleg, and ii this way 70 make It
fie ally of the capitalist, rather than
4 foa with which ID granple.
~ rs often asked what ii to become
IF the nonsorganiaed consumer If an
ainicable alliance II made between TAI
Dor and capital. but every man be-
longs either 10 the one or the other
group; for that matter, he ~ likely
10 belong to both.
Fl took some time to consider the
work III tho civic federation, and am
firmly convinced that It is the object
to which | desire to %consecrate the
remaining years Or my life. | fully
appreciate that II Is a long struggle,
but the progress already made under
the motto III the civic federation
the Golden Rule-has surpassed even
my most sanguine expectations, and
am sure that the American people
will sustain a policy, based upon the
highest moral and social impulse,
which Will eliminate the passionate
p~rejudices that now exist between cap
ital and labor
Discussing some of the objects of
The civic federation, Senator Hanna
writes: Until within a comparative.
nv few years big capitalists, Or the
employing ~intrests. have had the adj
vantage, because there were more
workmen than there was work. But
conditions have changed, and for
every workman. on an average, there
are two jobs o. In the heyday Of our
prosperity, and II is expecting too
much Of human nature to suppose that
workingmen shall not desire d larger
share OF the profits. Has not this mo
tive been the stimulating incentive 81
the men who are managing business
affairs No n who Is acquainted
with union labor for the past five years
can fail TO recognize the wonderful ad,
yancement that has been made In con
%seryatiye, cool headed. and thoroughly
practical management of these mat
tiers by the workdngmen themselves.
Labor organizations may be opet
10 sharp criticism at times, but ii can
not be fairly stated that they are a,
ways wrong II every man Ia treated
as a man. and IN appeal made 10 his
heart. rs well as 10 his reason, it viii
establish d bond of confidence as q
sure foundation TO build upon. While
labor unions may have been q curse
III England ! believe that they will
prove d boon TO our own country wheT
"a proper basis OF confidence and re
spect Il established
THE menace of today. as / Wow i
Ii the spread Of a spirit OF socialism
one of those things which II only hal
understood aud Is more or less used
10 inflame the popular mind against
all individual Initiative and persona
energy, which has been the very es
sence Of American progress. There
IA q spirit Or cooperation or commun
lily Of interests which some peopl,
may confound with socialism that Il
making Roadway with us. but wher
any n attempts, for political or finan
ciai reasons. 70 advocate the whole
program III European socialism hc vii
find little prospect Of the scod's takini
root IN American soil. This, ! think
was demonstrated very %conclnsivel,
in the Ohio campaign, where highel
socialism was brought forth as on &
sue.
Fairness and Justice will neycl
agree 90 the c~onnscation Of the pro
ducts On ono mans toil in order 70 IL
sure comfort 10 the idle and worth
less. No Ism Il wanted by the Amer
lean people TINT WIN take from All,
citizen the JUST and equitable rewar,
of his labor,
10th capital and inhor must yieli