Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-02-10
RELATIONS BETWEEN .
CAPITAL And LABOR
Some General Principles Ably and Kindly
Presented by Ex-AttOrney General
TREY L. Ford
(sacram ,uto BeeJ


.ity, fairness and br sadth Of view !
the argument Of ex.Attorney-Genera
rirsy t. Ford, as general counsel 70
the United Railroads OF San Frar
,clsco, in the arbitration OF the dii
ferences between that corporation
and its street ear employees, whlcl
were amicably settled some time age
This argument has been printed II
pamphlet form, and those parts Of I
Eolating to general principles ar
worthy Of extended circulation in thii
country, both for the benefit Of The
public and OF all parties directly con
scetned In labor disputes. While the
argument of Mr.. Ford was strong IN
behalf OF the corporation he repre-
scented. on all points IN dispute. II was
.gonclllating In tOns and won the good
Nln OF the labor elements on account
sOf lis candor and generous spirit
with relation 10 the rights and inter
aosts of wage-workers Some OF the
general principles laid down and dis
'cussed by the eloquent advocate have
besn oulled out by the Bee and ap
pear below:
Labors Legitimate Demand.
The legitimate demands Of labor may
ae divided into three classes:
4. The demand for a fair days
pay."
2. The demand for shorter hours
cor "falr days work"
3. The demand for removing or
betiering an unhealthfu or an unde.
sinble condition peculiar 10 the par.
8lcular business involved.
II would seem as though no fair.
minded man could well make com
plalnt when labor In good conscience
urges any or all OF these demands;
but tho test must always be-is the
demand founded upon iusticeY
Every citizen Of a republic has a
duty b perform that does not END at
the ballot box Wherever one may
reach out and lift his fellow 20 a
plane higher than that occupied he
fore, the doer has performed a ser
Vice, not 10 the man alone, but to
tho nation OF which he Is a part lie
has contributed his mite towards up.
Hitting the great masses that after all
make up our country and upon whose
contentment and wellbelng SO much
OF the future OF our government de
ponds. But this lifting up process by
mo- means includes the announcement
of waste, the cultivation OF the ex.
cessos OF extravaganza OF the deposit
ing OF unearned money In the hands
OF toll II means placing opportunity
In the path OF honest endeayor. It
means gnlding the misguided along
tho paths OF thrift and Industry. and
Il means hrldling the extremist and
chockiag the injustice OF extrayagant
claims. Mistaken Kindness Is more
detrimental TO mankind than none at
an. No just man may quarrel with
hoor Ter attempting 60 elevate the
standard ot HE among mon OF toll
The Power Of Public Opinion.
When labor rests lts case upon
claim Cor "a fair days pay for a fair
days work" q sounds note that ap-
ptals b all that Is honorable and best
la human nature Il demands fair
treatment that Is all And that
mighty and Irresistible force PUB.
lac OPINION. sees To Il that such a
demand it founded on Justice Is
promptly paid
Neither labor nor capital may with
inpuaity defy public opinion. Il Is
grcaior than either or both OF them
tosolher once aroused. one might /
as probably attempt with the tiny I
pasor OF an intaut 10 stay the royolu I
'lon of ihe earth as 10 withstand the
sNeoping ourush of thls most potent
nl an human forces No friend 20
labor would encourage lt 10 ignore
.hiH factor la lts affairs.
fhe ultimate purpose of society. of
ilYihrn ion. and OF government itself
b 20 better and upllft mankind and
his has found no uncertain express.
.inn "a the voice OF public opinion
Wherever lts influence has been nee.
's's.Ty 20 secure for labor a fair
AVS pay public opinion has com.
eled ,he yielding Of the employer
nd me acceptance a. The principle /
3 stated THIS has an made Tor the Z
eHa of society and labor today /
anda better paid better housed aud !
.firr fed, than ever before In the
'ifia's history Il Is well that thls Is d
ne leader of labor has, how.
~ complseently laid olaim 10 the