The Washington bee., 1907-08-17

Human slavery and labor unions are
not compatible It was but question
of time thar the free labor of the North,
seeking to elevate itself to position
of competency, independence and ap-
preclated citizenship, would find the Il
lium of its woes in the slave oligarchy
of the South.
The conscience of the abolitionist. the
Christianity Of the good men of Amer
ica who sought to do unto others as
they would that men should do unto
them, were reinforced by those who saw
the utter futility of striving for lasting
commercial and industrial greatness
while millions of American laborers
were but serfs and slaves. We are all
thankful today that from these forces
| freedom came and that you of my race
are here today not serfs, but happy in
telligent and prosperous laborers.
Unity means strength. Organization
means power; and your ability to know
your interest which is but the interest
of your country, is evidenced by your
organizations. The trades and vocations
embraced within labor organizations ex
tend to all phases of labor. The earn
ings of labor are being augmented each
day. AS you labor effectively and in
telligently can you demand and hope
to receive proper remuneration from
your labor. Increased remuneration
with economy means the acquisition of
homes, the possession of land, bank ac-
counts, education for your children, and
comfort in old age, so that rather than
being a public charge you become a
worthy, respected citizen, appreciated by
all reasonable, fair-minded Americans.
I would not have my views impress
you that labor can live alone, or that
the power of capital should be under
estimated or ignored. I believe that
cultivation of the most friendly relations
and a mutual understanding between la
Dor and capital will inure to the bene-
fit of both. In this day Of compromises,
arbitration and reason, the wise, con-
servative labor leader can accomplish
untold good
All thoughtful men agree that lock
outs on the part of the management of
a great concern, or strikes on the part
of labor unions, can but result in real
injury to both classes.
Statistics show that from I74I to 1880
there were I,4oI strikes and lockouts,
and that of these 1893 relared to wages
only-that of the whole number $40 sue
cceded, I54 were compromised, 583 fail
ed entirely, leaving the results Of 438
which can not be ascertained.
In 1880 there were 6Io strikes In
1881 there were but AZ strikes, while
in 1000 there were I,7o9. The estab-
lishments concerned in these unfortu-
nate occurrences were 1850, and dur
ing that period 6,Io5694 employees were
thrown out Of employment. During the
same period of twenty-one years there
were 1905 lockouts, involving nearly
ten thousand establishments and throw
ing out of employment nearly a million
people. Perhaps the greatest strike of
recent years was the great strike of
1902, when the United Mine Workers
| of America demanded an increase in
wages and a decrease in time, and the
payment for coal by weight wherever
practicable, instead OF by carload, and
at the same time hoping to secure rec
ognition of their union. After inef-
fectual attempts to secure these terms,
$4,000 abandoned their employment and
remained idle until the appointment OF
the Anthracite Coal Commission. The
strike lasted from May II to October
| %,
The shipment of coal decreased twen-
tv-two and one-third millions of tons
forty per cent. of the shiment Of the
preceding year, or over $46OOoOOOwhile
the mine workers lost in wages SIS
100000, and $I,SOo,oOo was expended by
the mine workers of the country tor
the relief of the miners OF the anthra-
! cite region.
The railroad companies suffered de
| crease in freight rates on larger sizes
had it been sent to New York harboT
Of 100000, and on smaller sizes OF
| IS28,ooo,ooo. This is the material part
! of the economic side. The story OF the
intimidations, violence, boycotts, and all
| the accompaniments of a great labor
war can not be told. It was at this
point that the President of the United
States Theodore Roosevelt, came Tor
| ward and conferred blessing upon
the mine owner, the miner and the
whole American people by a settlement
of this great strike.
It is the earnest wish of all that we