The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-07-28
YOU PAY IN CHECKS;
YOU HELP THE DEVIL y
Preacher Correspondent Sees
Gross Evil in Check Pay
System of Employers.
Advises Employers to Pay Their
Employees in Cash, or
When Banks Open.

city.
1t were well that this subject re-
ceived the careful consideration Of
those who are interested in the cause
of temperance. The check system Is
one of the greatest evils that confronts
the workingman today, and especially
Is this true In Duluth. Fully 80 per
cent of the factories in this city pay
their employees by check. and it ma
turally follows that, being paid late
in the afternoon. and no bank or
other available place being open for
this purpose, the laborer has to get
1t cashed in the saloon. Our friends
of the cloth will do we'll to look into
this matter. There ought to be a way
to remedy this evil and there is If
those interested in the welfare Of the
worker will give their aid Follow
Ing Is the article:
Where do you cash your checks?"
This is a question that opens up a
far-reaching subject. Employers and
employees are involved. The welfare
Of the community is at stake. The
general character Of business is vital
ly affected. Dangerous precedents are
being established. Fundamental prin-
ciples are being disregarded. The
moral tone OF the community Is being
lowered.
The superficial might question
whether all of the points mentioned
are included in the question, but any
one who seriously studies the condi-
tions knows that even more points
are involved and attacked. A very
simple thing is sometimes an accu-
rate index to greater things.
The reason the superficial think
that there are no great moral Ques-
tions involved in simple business
transaction is, they go on the theory
that business is devoid of sentiment
and morality. They are wholly In
error, because It will never be possi
BILE to take all OF the sentiment out Of
business. Successful business Is alb
solutely dependent on sympathy and
sentiment. The machinery Of busi-
so far as appearances indicate, but
the real genius of business and the
real dynamic force governing business.
are both dependent upon sa4heart. and
the sympathy and sentiment. that now;
from the heart behind all business.
Therefore we are compelled to take
into the account the lives Of men,
the characters of men, the influences Of
men. the environments of men, and
the sentiments of men when discussing
or dealing with any phase OF business.
In the simple question of where a
man cashes his check we find involved
his social. moral and physical welfare
His freedom and the prosperity Of his
family are affected. A great sociolog-
ical principle Is brought prominently
to the attention Of all parties con-
cerned.
Let us study three great rules that
ought to govern US in all transactions
and in all our relationships with our
fellow men:
Evil communications corrupt good
manners" If, therefore, we are re-
sponsible for the establishment Of a
train Of communicat tions that will cor
rupt our fellow men, we are directly
chargeable with their downfall. Com
munications may be by words, by pic
lures, and by business transactions.
There Is no way of escaping the In
fluence Of words when spoken. The
mind and the soul are extremely sensi-
tive and are susceptible to the slight
est impressions. Therefore, II a vital
connection Is made between two par
ties, the one corrupt and the other
pure, the pure will necessarily be in
fluenced by the thoughts words and
acts of the impure. There can be no
communication in the sense in which
we are discussing the subject without
companionship. In fact the phrase
should read, EVIL companionships
corrupt the character and lives Of
men,.
To be brought daily in contact with
depraved persons necessarily affects
the polish. culture, refinement and
morality Of men and women. The lives
and characters of the unrighteous
make pictures degrading in their in
fluence.
There Is no reason why lnen should
be constantly challenging their
strength of resistance. We all know
thit 1t is unwise to coquet with dan
ger or f1irt with sin. One is certainly
prudent when he avoids contact with
sin. His life Is safer and his happi-
ness is nearer complete when he
escapes the poison Of the serpent, the
sting OF the adder the kiss OF the
enemy and the blighting touch Of dis
ease.
Man Is his brothers keeper. The
law Of communication. the law Of
association, and the law Of influence
are all involved in the law Of mans
responsibility to his fellow man.
Every man exerts a saving or de-
stroying influence over somebody, No
man Is without influence; therefore,
no man Is without the products of his
influence. He has either produced
saints or devils. He has saved or he
has killed men in proportion to the
strength and breadth Of his influence
Therefore, II we deliberately put those
over whom we have some control, or
with whom we have some controlling
Influence. into a position that involves
their moral lives. then We are respons-
ible FOR tho results. whatever they
may bs.