The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-19
PROBLEMS OF
LABOR ARE
DISCUSSED
From Standpoint Of Public
by Edgar R. Brown, Of
New School Board.

Labor and its Problems was the
topic discussed In its various phases at
the meeting of the Wednesday Club
In Davis's parlors last night, and the
TACT that nearly one hundred men,
bers turned out to heal the addresses
showed that the subject was one of
vital interest.
With the Rev. Edmund A. WATSON,
rector of st. Stephens Episcopal
Church. as chairman, the introductions
of the speakers was accomplished with
the felicity characteristic of that cler-
gyman and his passing words We're fire.
quently applauded.
Particular interest was felt in the
views OF Edgar r.. Brown, one of the
school commissioners named by Mayor
Haussling for the new small board.
He discussed the subject from the
standpoint of the public.
H.. c. Hunter, of New York. secretary
of the National Metal Trades Association,
first read a paper in which he covered the
question from the standpoint of "The En-
ployer." IT was devoted much to lock-
outs and strikes, and their disastrous ef-
fects upon both employ err and employed.
mo matter how expensive or trouble
some these strikes may be 10 the manu-
facturer," he added, 1.-The mechanic never
assumes any of the loss, annoyance and
inconvenience. The management does not
dare to dismiss men because that would
only increase the trouble. l know a case
where two men caused no less than 3.700 TO
walk the streets. It is frequent that labor
unions fell to appreciate what business re-
sponsibilities mean.
II believe at the same time that or
gsnlzcd labor is the logical outcome of our
present conditions, but high ideals should
be StrlVed for so as to become an ornament
to American citizenship"
John II. Mclean, of Carpenters Coun-
ell, took up the question from the stand
point of THE Employed" n he made
a fair and impartial presentation, begin
ming with the statement that when he
came to this country he Learned his first
lesson in Americanisin In trades unions"
Then he referred to the interest taken in
the labor union by some of the churches
and said hat It was a movement In the
right direction. lie quoted frequently
from writer's and speakers on labor mat
tiers and was frequently applauded, be-
cause of the way In which he presented
his subject.
''The war is on" he continued, but 1t
is not of our seeking or making. We have
always sought to meet our employers
more than half way. We have always
insisted that labor organizations from
Maine to California should keep inviolate
their contracts with their employers.
I'VE don't deny that there are mis-
takes. bat they are not all on the side
of labor. Your church Is not wrong be-
cause a few ministers go wrong. Many
employers cut wages down by taking adj
vantage of such matters as the stringency
Of the money market. and, what is more,
many Of these men are high in the Chris
tian church.
In conclusion, he said that the labor
union has come to stay as part of our civ
llization.
The Third P~arty-the Public was pre-
~Fsnted-theSsf-bF Mr.. Brown, who was fire.
qlNytly applauded.
Capital has its claim and labor It's
grievance he said. but 1t, is the great
third parry upon whom most injustice
falls whatever the issue in Industrial con-
ficts. Less than 10 per cent. of all en-
gagged in gainful occupations are union
men; organized capital is only a fraction
of / per c.nt.: how long will the 80 per
cent, the great majority of us all. suf-
fer the selfish and arbitrary contentious of
n recalcitr4 mt minority?
Make ~ mistake about the contending
forces being arrayed and panoplied for
mortal con iict There confront each other
IN the United States today two mighty
combinations, whose power wakes daily
with the growth of their organizations and
The Improvement of their discipline; these
ire the allied forces of the employer and
he allied forces of the employed.
'Deplols 1t as we may, between the man
who pays and the man who earns wages.
the relation as q rule no longer Is per-
sonal and individual: this relation has
grown more and more rare, with the com
bination of capital, the enlargement of
industrial establishments, the specializa-
ton of work and the employment of
workers in masses.
THE unit of labor is no longer the man.
but the company or regiment called the
Union. The init of employers is more and
more becoming the corporation, often hav-
Ing its alliances with other corporations
In similar ines of activity. These condi-
tons have stimulated the organization OF
both forces
Mr.. Brown then told of the local unions,
which now number about 2z,000, combined
into 5TS city declarations, 81 State fedora
tons n III national and international
bodies. affiliated with one central organi-
zation, the American Federation Of Labor,
IN addition to several Independent ma
tional organization. Opposed to these is
the National Association of MANUFACTURERS
1.-THE situation" continued Mr.. Brown.
els a serious one for you and for me, the
average citizens Of the great tltrd party
the public, as well as for the fontending