The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1914-09-04
PUTS MAN BEFORE DOLLAR.
Prominent Shoe Manufacturer Declares
That Wages Must Go Up and Divi-
dends Go Down Until Capital and
Labor Share In Fairer Measure.

mat wages MUST Io Up ano DiNi-
dends Go Down Until Capital and
Labor Share In Fairer Measure.
Business must be humanized and la
Dor unions encouraged. according to
the opinion OF John s. Kent, shoe
manufacturer of Brockton. Mass, and
president Of the New England Shoe
and Leather association. This declara-
ton was made recently at meeting
OF the Massachusetts Real Estate Ex-
change. Mr. Kent said:
Our people must study our problems.
They must understand and appreciate
what is good and what is bad for busi-
ness. 1t is their proposition as well
as ours. We must make them feel the
partnership that should exist between
employer and employee. An enlight-
ened public sentiment Is the greatest
force that can exist to protect and en-
courage our great industries.
No problem that confronts us Is more
complex and annoying than the labor
problem. and the question OF preserv-
ufacturers and workmen Is deserving
and getting serious Study. We are ap-
preaching the subject In a fairer way
and with more consideration for the
rights of labor and capital than in
former years Men of the best judg-
ment and greatest breadth OF view
maintain entirely different theories on
how all interests can best be served.
but all have practically agreed that no
industry Is worth anything to a state
which does not pay good wages and
prove self supporting. The profit or
an industry must be measured by the
value OF the business TO the Wnole
community In which IL exists and not
alone to it's owners or stockholders.
Business must be conducted for men
and not men sacrificed for business
Wages must go up and dividends must
go down until capital and labor share
in fairer measure the profits tnat ac-
crue from the skill and effort OF each.
We must cease building up great IN
dustrial centers by establishing cheap
wages and cheap living and recruiting
the ranks of workers from the need
lest Immigrants that reach our shores.
No corporation has right 70 gather
together a mass of humanity for its
own uses that is not self supporting
and self respecting. and then ask us TO
organize societies 10 work out the
problem. What shall we do to Amer
icanize the immigrant?
firmly believe that under present
conditions We should fully recognize
organized labor and work out our la
Dor problems with these representa-
tiyes OF our workmen. The labor un-
ion must be reckoned with until some
better way is found to deal fairly be-
tween employer and employees.
do not believe In everything that
organized labor stands for. 1t needs
reforming. just as modern business
does. There are good unions and bad
unions, and we should not hesitate ito
praise the one and condemn the other.
Labor organizations need sympathy
rather than opposition. Their leaders
need encouragement instead OF con-
demnation.
Ii the public would discriminate be-
tween the men who fight for a great
principle In the labor movement and
those who fight for power or for love
Of the game and give support to those
possessing wisdom. honesty and pa
triotism. much would be done to les
sen the evils that arise from labor
controversies.
Arbitration does not offer perfect
plan for settling labor disputes. but 1t
is the best we have. Collective bar
gaining between employer and work
men Is recognized as fair to both, and
for this reason think 1t will survive.
1t may be claimed that arbitration Is
always compromise. but the same
may be said Of government or OF de-
cisions of judges or jurors. We claim
that employers are liable for con-
tracts. Why not assist In building up
labor organizations that are RESPONSE
BILE for their agreements and that seek
TO accomplish their Legitimate objects
by lawful methods?
Indiscriminate opposition to labor or,
ganiza tions and to labor leaders In
this day of progress Is not alone un.
fair and unwise; 1t is Improbable and
unavailing. Employers need the light
on the subject as well as workmen
The force that Is most effectual In de
termining the action OF organized la
bor is public sentiment. No man and
no orga nIzation OF men can long sue
ceed without its Endorsement. Ii Is
fair If majority rule Is fair. 1t be
longs permanently to no one. 1t can
not be bought or controlled. 1t is not
the product OF minute. 1t is essen
tally democratic. Ii is right If oul
principles OF government are right. II
settles all our problems. 1t Is the
strongest factor In making for justice
prosperity and industrial peace. II
makes our laws and carries on oul
government.
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