Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-09-07

tion, because want to impress il, up
on the minds of those who listen to
me. and upon those who read what /
say to you. The labor question is
more a moral than an intellectual
one.
"Tolstoi, the great Russian philos-
opher, in defining the doctrine of
bread labor, gives as one of the rea-
sons In support Of 1t, that personal
contact with manual labor-not a
recollection of former toll, but con-
tinued acquaintance with it's nee
essary to keep one in sympathy with
those who work with their hands.
He contends-and is It not true?-
that lack of sympthy, one with an
other, is at the root OF most OF the
problems Of society and govern
ment."
"The world is growing toward
brotherhood, and our nation is lead
ing the way There is more altruism
in this country than anywhere else in
the world, and more today than ever
has been before. There Is more rec
ognition OF the klnship tha texista
between us; more thomght about the
questions which concern a common
humanity than at any preceding time
The labor organization is part of
this great movement of the masses
toward closer fellowship. 1t has
worked wonders in the past, ami its
work is only commenced.
THE labor organization helps
those outside its members, because
the increased wages and improved
conditions are shared by non-union
men, as well as by union men.
Some assume that labor is lawless
and that, to settle the labor question
permanently, we need only enforce
the law vigorously. / yield to none
in insistence upon obedience TO the
law. Law is necessary in human So
ciety, and It's enforcement Is essen
tial to peace and order, but we must
remedy abuses by law, II we would
insure respect for and obedience to
law.
THE important lesson to be
learned by the citizen in a govern
ment like ours is that the ballot is
both shield and sword--it protects
him from injury and enforces his
rights.
"a long step toward the elevation
OF labor to its proper position In the
nations deliberations is TO be found
in the establishment OF depart
ment OF labor. with a cabinet ofiicer
at It's head. The wage-earner de-
serves this recognition. and the exec
utive is entitled to the assistance
which such an ofiicial could render
him. I regard the Inauguration, OF
this reform as the opening OF new
era In which those who toll will have
voice in the deliberations of the
Presidents council chamber.
The labor organization has been
socially handicapped by the fact that
II has been--and ] am not sure that
II has not been done unwittingly-
yoked up with the Industrial combi-
nations known as trusts. The labor
ing man is justified in his demands
that a distinction shall be drawn be-
tween labor organizations and the In
dustrial monopoly.
Injunction Question.
"The Republican convention did
not deal candldly with the laboring
man on the subject OF the writ OF in
junction. Secretary Taft endeavored
to amend his platform in this respect
and to make some promises. which
are not supported by his platform.
but his promises offer nothing sub
stantial in the way OF reform. and
are not binding on the Republican
senator's and members. The Repub-
llcan congress has already made a
record on labor questions. and the
Republican party cannot escape from
hat record.
The Democratic party on this sub
iect copies the language which the
abor organizations submitted 10 the
Republican and Democratic conven-
ions. Mr.. Taft, in his notification
speech. objects to the language. He
charges that the anti-injunetion plank
vas loosely drawn and framed for