Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-07
CAPITAL AND LAEcR PROBLEMS
Growth of Cities Makes 1t a Most I'm
portant Subject to Consider

SAfIIAL AMI LAO@R fhObLEMS
Growth of Cities Makes it a Most I'm
portant Subject to Consider
1t is certain that for some time to
come there will be a constant increase
absolutely, and perhaps relatively, Of
those among our citizens who dwell in
work for wages This means that there
will be an ever-increasing need to con-
slider the problems inseparabe from a
immense and complex business. especial
~ in those branches relating to manu-
facture and transportation. Is transacted
by large number, of capitalists who
wage-earners, the former tend more and
more to combine into corporations and
the latter into unions The relations of
the capitalist and wage.worker to one
another. and of each to the general pub
lie, are not always easy to adjust: and
to put them and keep them on salts
factory basis IS one Of the most i'm
tasks before our whole civilization
Much of the work for the accomplish
nlent of this end must be done by the
err sinEly or in combination; and the
one fundamental fact that must never
be lost track of is that the character
of the average man, whether he be q
man OF means or man who works with
his hands is the most important factor
in solving the problem Alright. But it is
almost equally important. TO remember
possible to reach the proper solution
~ is idle to hold that without good
laws evils such as child labor. as the
over-Working of women, as the fallurs
or, limb. can be effectively reached, any
r,o"n then the evils of rebates anc
stcck-watering can be reached without
tics by legislation means to force hon
ct 80" into them because otherWis,
the dishonest who surely will take ad
,sntaee of them will have everything
rect these evils. well and good: but tn,
rction must stand ready to aid them
WORK OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN
y" question growing out of our rapid
and complex industrial development 1.
more important than that of the EN-
ployn.ent of women and children The
presence of women in industry react:
"lth extreme directness upon the char
IT, nrser OF me nome and upon family
employment of children bear a vita
reiaIlon to our future citizenship. Oul
legislation In those areas under the con
!rol OF the congress Is very much be
hind the legislation of our more progress
ssiye states. A thorough and compre
nenslVe measure should be adopted a.
ms th session of the congress relating t.
IN the District of Columbia and the ter
Titortes. The investigation into the con
nltlon OF women and children wage-earn
ers recently authorized and directed b,
the congress is now being carried on If
the various states, and recommend
that the appropriation made last veal
order that we may have the thorough
and comprehensive investigation which
the subject demands. The national gov.
eminent has as an ultimate resort fol-
control or child labor the use of the in.
terstate commerce clause to prevent the
products of child labor from entering in.
20 interstate commerce. But before us.
lsg. TINS as II th oasn1 h certainly to enact mode
under its own immediate control.
MUST INSIST ON HONESTY
There Is one fundamental proposition
which can be laid down as regards ali
t these IN. matters; namely: While honesty
yet the insistence upon honestv-noi
merely technical honesty, but honesty In
purpose and spirit--is an essential ele.
T Ven IN IN arriving ar at right conclusion
forms shocks everybody: but there is
very urgent need that public opinion
sinn q, De Just st. as severe in condemna
hind class. or professional loyalty, o,
which denies that 1t is vice If it can
escape e, conviction in the courts. The
p pnbIc ana M me he repFesentatives of the
the bench or in executive or leeisla-
tive positions, need to remember tina,
often tne most dangerous criminals SC
far as the life of the nation is con.
cerned, are not those who commit the
crimes known to and condemned by the
those who commit crimes only rendered
possible by the complex conditions ol
our modern industrial life. 1t makes moi
particle of difference whether these
crimes are committed by CAPITALIST OF
by laborer, by leading banker OF
manufacturer or railroad man. or by a
leading representa- tive of a labor union
SWindllng In stocks. corrupting leRisla.
lures, making fortunes by the imitation
OF securities. by wrecking railroads, BY
DESTROYING competitors through rebates
rasse forms. of wrongdoing in the capl
faEist. are far more infamous than an,
ordinary form Of embezzlement or for
gerry; yet II is matter of extreme diff
fclIlty to secure the punishment of thu
man most guilty Of them, most respon
stole for them The business man whr
cvndones such conduct stands on a leye
with the labor man who deliberatel,
supports corrupt demagogue and aei
,ator, whether head Of a union or heat
OF some municipality, because h,
Is said ITO have stood by thu
ness community: the educators or clergy
first kind of wrongdoing, are no NOR,
dangerous to the community. but ar
morally even worse, than the labor me,
who are guilty of the second type O
wrongdoing, because less is to be par
doned those who have no such excus
rs is furnished either by ignorance O
by dire need.
FARMERS AND WAGE WORKER,