Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-02-16
Labor and Capital.

1t is gratifying to be able to turn
from contemplation of the brutal law
lessness attendant upon strikes and the
seltishness of some phases of capital.
ism to recognize. in nan directions,
the new spirit of friendliness between.
employer n employee. On the part of
the former this manifests itself in the
accelerated tendency toward profit
pensation for injuries, while the con-
scientious orkm who thinks for
himself is coming to a clearer convic-'
ton of the advantage to him of honest.
loyal and continuous service 1t has
aptly been said that warfare between
the MAJ who owns and directs and the,
man who works for him is an unnec-
essary and Illogical economic condition
One, in fact. which tends to the dis
enlargement and to the harm of all
concerned. The wisest counselors on
both sides are giving up the working
hypothesis of natural antagonism.
All real labor is constructive, no
matter whether it is performed by
the proprietor in his office, the fore
man at his desk, or the workman at
The bench.
In this country we have been too,
prone to ~accentuate the apparent diff
ferences and have therefore created,
a class distinction. From this class
distinction has arisen a condition
which makes possible the greedy en-
ployer who regards his workmen
merely as machines, n the cunning
aggressive, self-prolnoting labor leader
who seeks to capitalize for his per-,
sonal benefit. the cause of his del,lded;
followers.
Recently, it is pleasing to relate,
there has come into the situation a
new factor which promises a plat,
FORM upon which both employer and
mploye can meet half way, to thg
TINA benefit not only of both. but
also of the general public. This plat
form is the increasing demand for a,
radical change in our Industrial lia-i
bllity and workmen's compensation
laws. The movement is not new, the
injustice of existing laws having been,
recognized by many from the day OF!
their enactment; out what might.
properly be called a national insist
ence upon their improvement is COM,
paratively of recent growth.
that today not only are the nation
and the states Interested in this hu-.
name movement, but individual en-
plOyers' associations. and the great
nody OF as well, are giving,
the subject keen attention. New York,
state mas already enacted a law which
Is considered radical by some and,
FAULTY by others, but is generally ac-
knowiedged to be an important step
IN the right direction. Massachusetts.
ONO. Wisconsin. Indiana and New Jer-
sey nave bills OF a similar nature under
consideration, and many other states
are showing signs Of an awakening of
interest, nn:.sas IL. in the enactment Of legislation;
w.icn Will serve not only to lessen the
appalling list of industrial accidents-
estimated at 100000 annually-but win
Nv i've needed n just relief to the sick.
tne injured. and the destitute and will.
also protect the employers legitimate
~ 49,
For 9 quarter Of a century Germany.
mas been conserving her industrial
army. Her compensation and relief
Jaws reach to every corner OF the great
empire = apply to every worker.
~rreventable accidents are reduced to
the minimum. The injured workman is
restored to his task an quickly az pos
slDle. and the destitute and the aged
receive al needed relief. With Ger
many. industrial human waste n In.
eunerable. Il should be 20 regarded in.
Y country. The movement afoot to-,
whole nation. -