The Detroit times., 1908-01-11
TAT 7 TELLS HIS
STAND ON LABOR
AND. CAPITAL
SECRETARY FAvORS UNiONiSMl
INSOFAR AS 1T WORKS FOR
THE COMMON Goop-WEALTH
WloENs LA5oR's FIELD.

NEW YORK, Jan. l1.--Secretary
Taft last night, In an address at Coop
en- Union. told how he stands on the
relative rights and interests OF labor
and capital. The genial war secre-
tary was the guest of the Peoples In
stitute, whose custom 1t Is TO quiz
prominent speakers. There was no
exception made in the case OF Taft,
and he seemed TO enjoy the process.
All the seating capacity in the hall
was occupied.
In his prepared address the sec
rotary pointed out the dependence,
one upon the other. OF capital and
labor. He declared that great ag-
gregations OF wealth properly en-
ployed widened the field OF labor and
were to be welcomed. while wealth
improperly used was TO be condemn
ed. He advocated unionism insofar
as sympathy and the resultant CO
operation made for the common good.
Opening his speech with the state
ment that he would ask the audience
to give their attention TO the sub
ject OF labor and capital. their com
mon interests, their necessary contro-
legal remedies for their abuses" Sec
rotary Taft traced "the origin OF In
stitution of property and the inter
dependence OF property and capital
and labor from the earliest days and
the principles that lead to the ac-
cumulation OF capital In the world.
Here are some of the pithy points
made by Taft:
Labor needs capital 20 secure the
best production, while capital needs
labor in producing anything. The share
OF NaCn fdpUrpr- IN tffc-to tft-rfeauGt
Is affected not exactly, but in a gen
eral way by the amount OF capital In
use as compared with the number OF
those who labor The more capital In
use the more work there Is TO do, and
the more there Is to do the more
laborers are needed. Manifestly. II Is
In the direct interest OF the laborer
that capital shall increase faster than
the number of those who work. Moth
ing so likely TO make wealth idle as
property. II follows, as necessary
conclusion. that to destroy the guar
antics of property Is a direct blow at
the interest OF the working man.
Panic shows Interdependence.
II only requires The effects OF a
panic such as we are passing through
or through which We passed in
1898 or 1874. to show how closely
united In common interest We all are
In modern soc~sty.
The laboring man should be the last
to object TO the rapid accumulation OF
capital in the hands OF those who use
II for the reproduction or capital The
thoughtful and intelligent laborer has
therefore no feeling OF hostility to.
ward combinations OF capital engaged
in lawful business methods.
The capitalist. however wealthy, who
is willing TO devote his nights and
DAYS TO the Investment OF his capital in
profitable lawful business or manufac-
ture. and who studies methods OF re-
economizing expenses therein should
be regarded with favor by the work
lngman. because, while his motive Is
merely one OF accumulation, he IL
working not only for himself but for
labor and for society at large.
Rights of Capitalists.
The inventors on the one hand. and
the men OF Judgment, courage and
executives ability. who have conceived
and executed the great lawful enter
prises on the other. have reaped prince
ly profits. which the world may well
have done The wealth they accumu,
lated Is not wrested from labor. but IL
is only n part OF that which has been
added to the general stock by the In
genuity, industry, Judgment and abil-
fty OF those who enjoy IL.
II is greatly I'm the interest OF tho
working man, therefore, that corporate
injustice done to 1t acts directly upon
the wage earners that must look to
corporate wealth for their employ
ment.
Take the large body OF railroad en-
ployes. Any drastic legislation which
tends unJustly to reduce the legitimate
earnings OF the railroad must I'm the
end fall with heavy weight upon the
employees OF that railroad. because the
manager Will ultimately turn toward
wages as the place where economy can
be effected. SO I'm respect 10 taxation;
than ' ITS share of the publ,c Burdens ol II
reacts directly. first upon it's stock
holders. and then upon its employees.
Blind to Their Interests.
The conclusion ! seek. to reach Is
a prejudice against the lawful capital
list because he Is wealthy who votes
with junction for the men who are
urging unjust and unfair Legislation
gogic appeals 20 acquire popular sup
port In what they are doing Is stand
Ing In his own interests and Is cutting
off the limb on which he sits:
IL Is TO the direct interest Of the
working man TO use careful discrimi-
nation In approving or disappearing
proposed Legislation of this Kind and
to base his conclusion and vote on the
issue whether the provision is fair or
Just, and not on the assumption that
any legislation that subjects n corpor-
alton TO burden must necessarily be
In the interests OF the working man.
What I am anxious to emphasize Is
that there Is wide economic and
business field in which the interests
OF the wealthiest capitalist and OF the
humblest laborer are exactly the
same.
u Does the Business.
Mr.. Il. T. Chamberlain. OF Clinton.
Maine, says OF Bucklen's Arnica Salvc