Perth Amboy evening news., 1910-09-02
WOODRUFF WILSON
A FRIEND OF LABOR
CONTINUED from page ID

organized labor has occasionally done,
but | have criticised them as a friend
and because l thought them harmful
to the laborers themselves and harmful
to the country. I know of no other
stand by which to judge these things
than the interests of the whole
ity. The laboring man cannot benefit
himself by injuring the industries of
the country. Many thoughtful labOring
men are themselves critics and very out
spoken critics, of many things which
the unions do, and l stand with them
and with all other right-minded Ameri-
cans in saying what l honestly think.
If I am mistaken 1t can easily be shown
that 1 am, and I shall always be glad
to have 1t shown.
81 am much more afraid that the
great corporations, combinations and
trusts will do the country deep harm
than I am that the labor organizations
will harm it, and yet l believe the cor
porations to be necessary instruments
of modern business. They are good
things so long as they act in the com
mon interest, and very bad things when
they do not. Joint stock corporations,
by putting into one enterprise the
money of many thousands Of persons,
concentrate in their managers the pow
err Of thousands, a very dangerous
power, which should be closely watched
and regulated. Sharp criticism should
keep them amenable to public opinion.
Strict law should restrain them. The
principle Is the same for all of us.
"But our object, in the one case as
in the other, should not be hostile.
There has been hostility enough all
around. What we need now is to take
common counsel as to what is for the
common benefit, for the good of the
country, and of the several communities
in which we live and earn our bread,
not only, but also our happiness. We
need frank, o~utspoken, friendly opinion.
We need criticism which is not intended
to damage, but to create a better un-
Outstanding all around, I have tried
In everything that 1 have said on pub
lie questions to contribute to this
friendly process Of criticism, in order to
assist In bringing on better days, and
a state of opinion Ia which all men and
all interests shall receive their due. To
have any fear or favor in the matter
is to be untrue to every standard of
public duty.
of all editors and writer's and pub
lie speakers will deal frankly and fair
" as you have done, we shall soon
hit upon a just and common policy
with regard to the many things that
perplex us.
"With much respect and appreciation
Sincerely yours,
WOODROW WILSON"
The letter written by Mr.. Williamson
TO DR.. Wilson asking For his statement
is as follows:
THE AMERICAN LABOR STANDARD
ORANGE, N. j.
Endorsed by Painters National Home
Association, Orange Federated Trades
Council.
Edgar Williamson, Publisher,
285-2S9 Main Street,
Phone 604-J.
August II, 1910.
"Mr. Woodrow Wilson,
"P~rinceton, N. J.
-"Dear Sir
"At the recent convention of the
New Jersey State Federation Of Labor,
held in Newark, N. j., August 10th and
10th, a resolution was passed condemn
ing you as a foe to organized labor. I
stoutly fought for a resolution to ap-
point a committee to interview you in
your views in the matter, but the sub
etitute resolution was defeated.
al maintain that you should be heard
on this subject.
at am to publish a large edition of
my paper for Labor Day, and would be
pleased to have your views for publca-
tion. s
every truly yours,
EDGAR WILLIAMSON.