The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-09-02
SATURDAY. SEPT. 2. 1915.
LABOR DAY.

day set apart to pay tribute to the
man who works-and it has a special
significance FOR members of the labor
unions.
All over the country union men viii
lay down their tools tonight and will
not resume their daily toll till Tuesday
morning. In many OF the larger cities
appropriate exercises will be held in
celebration of the event Orators win
extol the lives Of the skilled workers
and Labor omnia vincent" win be a
frequently used quotation.
The observance Of the day this year
Is more potent in meaning than for
years. Despite The fact there is little
on the surface to indicate 1t, thinking
nnen--both employers and employed
! believe q supreme test Of the relation
chip between capital and labor is
spending.
Within a short time-posstbly within
q few months--it Is quitely likely the
greatest material battle ever fought In
the United States will occur. 1t will
be gigantic struggle.
Members of labor unions--ambitiou
for the higher things OF life-urged on
by their desire to have some of the
comforts and few Of the luxuries they
believe they earn--imbued with de-
sire TO educate and advance their
children--compelled by the higher cost
Of living--and anxious to lay aside
something for their advancing years
have been insistent in recent years in
their demands for higher wages and
shorter hours.
The employers-admitting the JUS
tice of the claims of the workers-have
in many instances acceded to these de-
mands without great deal OF resist
ance.
The public-feeling the righteousness
of the attitude Of the labor union men
have cheerfully borne the increased
burdens imposed on them by railroads
and manufacturers.
At present the tension is increasing
There Is tense undercurrent notice
able to those who read the signs Of the
times. The labor unions are strung up
20 the highest pftch--and believe they
are entitled to still more concessions in
the way Of increased wages-and also
TO shorter hours.
The public has reached stage
through the increased cost Of living
where many observers believe some
thing will soon have to give,
The employers feel they have reach
ed the last ditch. They believe the
public will not stand for further adj
vancements--and they can no longer
grant additional demands OF employees.
The railroads are typical illustra-
ton. For years they arrogantly ignor-
ed the public and ground down their
employees. Later the public got its
back up and secured congressional and
legislative enactments for the control
Of the roads and the regulation Of their
charges.
AS a result there was a compulsory
reduction OF rates. More men were
added to train crews. Shorter hours
for employees were forced. Added to
this the employees OF the road--strongly
organized in all Observation-Disclosures
increased wages
Railroad property-from being the
most profitable modern investment
has reached the stage where capital
seeks other methods of increasing
itself.
The officials of the railroads
throughout the central and western
parts of the United States are reported
to have reached an agreement where
they will resist further demands fol
increased wages. It is claimed they
will cease to operate their lines, If nee
essary.
The members Of the unions employed
on railway lines are reported to have
agreed that the railroads must pas
higher wages. Az result a clash Ii
anticipated which will probably be tn.
supreme test between employers and
employed.
In a general way what liz true Of tn.
railroad situation applies to other linel
OF employment throughout the Unitet
States.
Coupled with this tensity is the in
lection Of the "open door, feature int,
the battle. Members Of labor unions
win contend strenuously for the EN-
ployment only Of union men. Employ
err railway companies and manu-
facturers will insist on the right b
employ any one they wiah--union 0
non union.
1t looks like the battle royal win b
on, possibly within the next year an
there IL no doubt about the critica
situation that now confronts the peopl
81 the United States. should there b
long battle between CAPITAL and Iabo
resulting In strikes, ioclxouts, bust
ness depression the public viii be th
ultimate sufferer. ...