The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1912-11-22
RIGHTS OF LABOR.
Equality Before the Law Is All
the Worker Wants.
ASKS NO SPECIAL PRIVILEGES.

Creators OF All Wealth Should Have
Equal Opportunities and as Much
Consideration as Capital-PIes For a
Department of Labor.
Hon. William Sulzer, speaking in the
house of representatives in favor of the
bill to create department of labor.
said in part:
1T seems to me that the time is now
propitious for the creation of this de-
partment of labor. 1t will bring labor
and capital closer together. and one is
dependent on the other.
The creation of this department Of
labor will be long step In the right
direction in the commendable move
ment for industrial peace, and through
its agency, i'll my judgment, the per-
picking problems of labor and capital
can be quickly solved in a way that
will do substantial justice to all con-
cerued
I'm my opinion, all labor wants is a
fair show. an equal chance and a
square deal. in congress and out of
congress Labor is indefatigable and
unSelhSh. sympathetic and consistent
1t does not ask for more than its just
rights. We hear much about equality
before the law. That is all labor
wants. 1t seeks no special privileges
aud wants none.
Labor makes no war on vested rights.
II does not rail at honestly acquired
wealth. 1t is not antagonistic to legiti-
mate capital. 1t would close no door of
opportunity. 1t would darken no star
Of hope. 1t would not palsy initiation
IT would strike no blow TO paralyze
ambition Its motto is onward with
hope forward without fear. 1t stands
for the rights of man, for the greatness
of the individual, for equality before
the law, for concord and peace, for
equal rights to all and special privi-
leges TO none Capital and labor must
be friends, not enemies. They should
act in harmony. not antipathy. Their
interests should be mutual, not antag
onistic. In our complex civilization
each is essential to the other, and they
should walk hand in hand. To prosper
they must be at peace, not at war.
Each Is necessary to the other. Both
have their rights and both have their
limitations. The inherent rights Of la
Dor. to say the least. are as sacred as
the vested rights of capital.
Labor makes capital, creates all
wealth and should have equal oppor
tunities and as much consideration,
but the trouble seems to be that labor
does not receive n fair share Of what IL
produces. 1t is the duty of the just and
sagacious legislator. in the interest Of
our civilization, to see to it that there
is less Capitalization of wealth and a
more equitable distribution Of the fruits
of toll.
Labor should be represented in ev-
cry branch of the government Labor
is not of today, or of yesterday, or Of
tomorrow. II is eternal. Dynasties
come and go. governments rise and fall
centuries succeed centuries, but labor
creates and goes on forever. Labor is
the law of life.
mo man, in my opinion, can pay too
high a tribute to labor 1t is the ere
alive force of the world, the genius OF
the Drawn of man, the spirit of prog
ress and the milestones marking the
forward movement Of every age. Civil
lization owes everything to labor-tO
the constructive toiler Of the world.
Labor owes very little to civilization.
Mother Earth Is labor's best friend .
From her forests and her fields. from
her rocks and her rivers, the toiler has
all and brought forth the won
iers OF mankind
Tear down your temples and labor
win rebuild them. close every avenue
Il trade aud labor will reopen them
estroy your towns and labor will re