The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16

The following addresses have been is
sued and number of prominent cit'-
zens who are large employers of labor
are assuring the negro leaders Of their
cooperation and support:
In our work to help our laborers, to SEQ
how they may get more out Of life and
especially out of their opportunities as
laborers, and in the study of this question,
we have arrived at a conclusion as to
what a more extended effort to help them
should be. This conclusion is set forth
under another heading, How the En-
ployer Can Help the Laborer."
But in this note we are anxious TIC solicit
the assistance of those who employ col
ored labor in any capacity in orr dis
triet. For the good of all concerned
the employer should take steps to make
the laborer realize that the interests of
the employer and the laborer are iden-
teal, and that they are friends instead
of enemies to each other. For where
there is feeling on the part of labor that
capital Is not its friend, or where there
is feeling on the part of capital that
labor is not interested in the formers well
fare, the best results are not attainable.
When the employer sets forth evidence
that he is really interested in the welfare
of his employees beyond the point of prof
iting on his wages he makes no bad IN
vestment, for human nature is the same
in all races, and when man feels that
his employer is striving beyond the point
to which he is obligated to make the en-
ploye comfortable, and where he is en-
deavoring to set up agencies to assist
the laboring man to get more comforts
out of life, it is hard for the workman
to escape the feeling OF friendship toward
and interest in the employer.
In speaking of the relation between la
Dor and capital before the Miners asso-
citation of the state, Mr.. B. F. Bush of
West Virginia advanced this idea: 1.-THE
relations between capital and labor are
like the relations between man and wife,
better solved by themselves than by out
side interference The relations between
capital and labor are decidedly mutual
and should so be considered by each"
We are sure that all of us are of the
opinion of Mr.. Bush, and the conclusion
after considering his point of view is that
the time is now ripe for the employers
to take action in establishing perma-
nent effort to better laboring conditions.
Many of the employers of all classes of
labor in this district are doing all they
could be asked to lead the laborers to
realize that they are not only sustaining
a friendly relation to them, but desire that
they should have a larger share of the
comforts of life.
But what we are aiming for in this
article, in accordance with the conclu-
10 To 70
call attention to the large number ~
persons who employ negro labor, that they
may unite heartily in the plan suggested,
that 1t may be brilliant success.
The institution suggested would take
up the work of lettering our conditions at
the foundation of things, assisting the
ministers, not only to understand better
the scriptures that he is endeavoring to
teach, but make him with others,
teacher of better health conditions, simple
methods of family life, economical meth
DDS of living, and methods to reach and
assist the less fortunate people of our
laboring classes, and to raise the stand
ard of efficiency among them In domestic
and public service.
This suggested Institution for instruct
ing our people has been considered by the
:
white and colored ministers conferences,
and heartily Endorsed and pledges made
to cooperate We have taken the matter
before a number Of employers, represent
ing different industrial institutions, and
all have agreed that such an institution
would do much in lettering the condition
of our colored people in every way, and
make labor more contented, comfortable
and reliable.
We are now anxious to have commit
tee Of two or three of those gentlemen
who employ large number of negro peo-
pie to assist in getting this matter be-
fore the gentlemen representing the vari-
Gus industries of the district, and to adj
wise with the conference and council In
the direction of this work. Respectfully
submitted, DIR. c. L. FISHER,
w. R. PETTIFORD,
oTU w OWEN