The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-23
HANNA ON The
LABOR PROBLEM.
Ohio Senator Sees in Socialism a
Menace to the Country's
Prosperity.
Says, However, That socialistio
Ideas Are Becoming Less
Popular Among Workers.
Special to Tho Journal.

special TO Auo
Boston, Jan. 23.-The National
,ticle by Senator Hanna on Social
ism and Labor Unions The article
in part is as follows: @
There is no more nengrOss1ng question
than that of the relation between labor
and capital which seems the paramount
issue to-day. The tendency has been to
study economics purely from a political
standpoint, and my experience has led
me to believe that there are social and
moral phases to the relations between
labor and capital often lost sight Of In
the eager pursuit of gain. My attention
was called to these things after the great
strike In the coal mines of Ohio, in which
was indirectly interested, and it was
then that concluded that the first thing
to be done was to adjust conditions in a
straightforward manner.
It cannot be denied that there was a
popular prejudice against union. labor as
an imported article. 1t came to US with
the tide Of immigration from the old
world, where it was bred among condi-
tons which do not and cannot exist In
America, where the mighty advantages
Of popular education are free to ALL
The Hanna Plan.
Now, my plan is to have organized union
labor Americanized in the best sense and
thoro]y educated to an understanding Of
its responsibilities, and in this way to
make it the ally Of the capitalist, rather
than foe with which to grapple.
= The systematic work Of education was
begun five years ago by the Civic Fedora
ton. I took some time to consider the
work Of the federation, and am firmly
convinced that it is the object to which
I desire to consecrate the remaining years
of my life. I fully appreciate that it is
a long struggle, but the progress already
made under the motto Of the Civic Fed
eration-the golden rule--hast surpassed
even my most sanguine expectations; and
I am sure that the American people Will
sustain policy based upon the highest
moral and social impulse, which will elm
mate the passionate prejudices that now
exist between capital and labor.
Ii We oppose the sympathetic strike, and
this view was most heroically Endorsed by
the action Of the Mine Workers associa-
ton at indianapolis during the great coal
mine strike in Pennsylvania. We oppose
also the boycott. We disapprove of the
restriction Of production to enhance val
ually adopted, not only by union labor,
but by cool-headed and far-seeing repre-
sentatives of capital.
Heretofore the employing interests have
had the advantage, because there were
more workmen than. there was work. But
conditions have changed, and for every
workman, on an average, there are two
jobs now in the heyday of our prosperity;
and it is expecting too much of human
nature to suppose that workingmen shall
not desire a larger share of the profits.
Unions Better Managed.
No one who is acquainted with union
labor for the past five years can fail to
recognize the wonderful advancement that
hoe 1o i.,n hoo
ed, and thoroly practical management by
the workingmen themselves. This is cons
ing to be more and more realized as the
one great purpose in union labor and
when the men inlthat great mine work.
ers' convention decided to adopt the re-.
port of the, committee, after it had strug
gled thru an all-night session, and
then manfully stood by their word unani
mously. it cast a ray of light on diff
cult problem, and also. enlisted the interest
and sympathy Of the American people in
the welfare of these toilers in the dark.
Every man is vulnerable in some part,
and it is a rare thing to find any man
proof against methods of kindness and JUS
tice. Labor organizations may be open to
sharp criticisms at times, but it cannot
be fairly stated that they. are always
wrong. If every man is treated as man.
and an appeal made to his heart, as we'll
as to his reason, it will establish a bond
build upon. This is the condition that is
aimed at by the Civic Federation-abso-
lutte confidence on both sides.
While labor unions may have been a
curse to England, believe that they will
prove boon to our country, when a
proper basis Of confidence and respect is
established.
There is more to overcome in the way
Of feeling on the part Of capital than on
the part of labor. Capital has been for
many generations entrenched behind it's
power to dictate conditions, whether right
Or wrong, and the abrogation Of this power
is not going to weaken, in the least degree,
the strength Of the hitherto dominant
party, for no better investment exists for
a manufacturing institution or corpora
ton than the hearty cooperation and
good feeling Of the employees. If we go
upon this hypothesis, it seems to me quite
possible that all differences may be obvi-
ated in the future by the proverbial ounce
of prevention which Is worth a pound of
cure.
Socialism a Menace.
The menace Of to-day, as view it, is
the spread of a spirit Of socialism, one
Of those things which is only half under
stood, and is more or less used to inf1ame
the popular mind against all individual in
ttiative and personal energy, which has
been the very essence Of American prog
reSS.