Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-07-28

however, cannot speak here without
interruption, may have to seek lar
ger audience, from which I shall un-
questionably receive proper attention"
He paused, but Mr.. Trundell merely
smiled.
"The condition of this company Is
we'll known to every director" he con-
tinued. 'Tt is making money-more
than q fair commercial return upon
large capitalization representing good
will and other intangible assets. You
know by what economies this has been
made possible. 1t has been effected
by the substitution Of cooperation for
competition, and by the concentration
Of capital. This company is merely
typical of any we'll organized and con-
Quoted enterprise based on similar
lines. Everywhere capital is combin-
ing to secure like results. But II you
have watched this movement at all,
you must also be aware that labor Is
forming in more solid ranks than
were ever seen before in this or any
other country. Why? Because the
wage-earner Of to-day can understand
the benefits of cooperation just as
we'll as you can. and Is alive to the dan
ger of isolation in this age Of union.
He Is not only better informed than
heretofore; he Is aware that intelli-
gent cooperation means power. and
/ ka L.. ha,Dn,fnu rNxuorf,t1
not see the suggestiveness OF this con-
centration Of capital on the one hand
and this national uniting of the rank
and file on the other? Do you not re-
alize how. all unconsciously. the cap
italists of this country are playing into
the hands of the socialists? You do
not like socialistic ideas? Very we'll.
The movement already started cannot
be stopped. but It can be controlled. II
can be guided. and Il is for us to de-
termine now whether we will direct 1t
or let Others do So little later the
privilege may be taken out OF our
hands. The wage-earners Of this coun-
try are to-day politically. socially and
economically tho minority. but I tell
you they are a multitudinous minority
of unsuspected powers.
"You may tell me that the so-called
working-classes have obtained their
share OF every economic benefit the
world has ever seen. admit they
have obtained q large share after
fighting and suffering. But the time
is coming. IL II Is not now at hand.
when wider concessions must be made
and a more equitable basis agreed
upon. You may say this situation Is
being met, and that reasonable conces-
sions are freely made. could point
out dozen strikes within q year
caused by opposing the march OF pro-
gress In some cases the opposition
was honorable. in others dishonorable;
but In every instance II was ignorant.
"Rot!"
Mr.. Trundell addressed this COM
ment to Hardness. and did not look
up as Kennard paused. When the 81
lence continued. however. he turned
impatiently to the speaker.
"Oh, go on-go on" he burst out.
angrily opening and shutting his
watch-case as he spoke. "If we have
| 10 endure this, let's get through with
It as soon as possible"
Kennard gazed contemptuously at
his interrupter.
Ignorant obstruction Of this or any
other kind Is not only useless" he con-
tinued calmly, 81 tell you II is useless
| and dangerous. The wage-earner Of
this country is determined to have a
fairer return for his labor than he has
ever received before-a fairer return
! In money, in manner Of working, In
manner of living. The problem Of how
this Is to be brought about will be
solved in this country, first. because
these United States are destined to
become the ruling power Of the world,
commercially and politically, and, sec
ond. because the genius Of the people Is
equal to the magnitude of the questions
| involved. Then why worry about
| them? Because We must either meet
the issues or be brought to them. We
must either aid to bring about the
necessary changes through an evolu-
ton, or see them brought to us by
revolution. Most Of you know that
think some form of profit sharing Will
be one of the next moves in peace
full solution of existing difficulties. | do
not say | am right. but | know the
step you are taking is wrong. | tell
you. you cannot any longer cut wages
and silence objectors with phrases
about supply and demand. unless you
are ready to admit all active regulation
of that supply and that demand. Your
present action will bring about
strike, and whether it succeeds or tails
this time, you will bring on another
sooner or later which will not fail.
If you are convinced that labor Is
simply a question Of supply and de-
mand. and must always so remain,
and are satisfied 10 rest on that asser-
lion; If you keep answering complaints
with barren phrases about the part
nership of capital and labor, perhaps
you may have your ideas corrected as
the French nobility had their notions
Of privilege dispelled.
Now what are we asked to do? To
reduce the general scale of wages ten
per cent. Why? The ostensible rea-
son is to counteract an impending de-
mand for an increase. | have not
heard of any such demand. Certainly
have never reported any. But even
If an increase was about to be demand
ed. seriously question whether"
Mr.. Chairman" interrupted Croy-
den, what Is a directors fee In this
company per meeting? want to con-
tribute mine toward hiring a hall for
our friend Kennard."
And I'm willing to lose mine by
staying away whenever he feels this
ft coming on again." added Mr.. Trun-
dell.
Order, gentlemen commanded
Maddox.
Order be damned" burst out Mr..
,pr,ndan "I'p, NOT poipo IN Sit here