Denver labor bulletin., 1916-09-30

Fraternal Order Of Eagles are representa-
tives of both classes, with employees, as
in the world at large, greatly predomi-
mating. As an order, therefore, we are
all personally interested in the division
between capital and labor of the wealth
gained thru their joint efforts in utiliz-
ing the resources of the earth, that
should be equally available for all.
Since justice and equality are founda-
tion stones of our fraternity, it is to be
assumed that We all desire the division
to be just and fair. But the history oil
mankind reveals the melancholy fact
that rarely has there been an equitable
division between the two classes of pro-
ducers. Capital and labor, instead OF
being friendly partners, have usually
been hostile rivals. Thruout the ages
a deep seated antagonism - virtually
state of war-has existed between the
two producing elements. In this pro
longed strife, the advantage has usually
been with capital As the stronger, it
has generally taken the lions share OF
the Joint earnings. leaving to labor only
a beggarly pittance.
Labor has not, however, borne its lot
uncomplainingly. There have been pro-
tests, revolts, and uprisings, usually sup
pressed, but occasionally successful. And,
gradually, conditions have improved.
Slavery, peonage, serfdom, and vassalage
have been successive steps upward to the
right of voluntary contract for wages.
This right, however, has often proved fu-
tile; for the individual employe is weak,
and the employer usually strong. Hence,
organized labor has arisen, claiming the
right of collective bargaining, and the
worker. strong in union, is getting
fairer share of the joint production. But
the old antagonism still remains.
Now, however, there are indications
that there is dawnng for capital and
labor a new day, in whose clearer light
they will be revealed as friends, instead
of enemies, as partners instead of rivals.
The world is coming to have a clearer
conception of the human element in
both. 1t is beginning to realize that men
with money and men with muscle are hui
man beings with like passions and mo-
tives, who do not live simply to toll, to
eat, to sleep, but to play, to mingle with
their fellows. to love, to worship, to
realize ideals. Since workers can best
perform their part of the industrial
economy only when they are free to sat
isfy these human cravings, mercenary
considerations, if nothing else, should
lead--and in some cases are leading
employers to recognize their employees as
their brothers in toll, and to furnish
them the best possible opportunities for
comfortable living and self improvement
But higher motives than motives of
expediency grow out of this recognition
of the common humanity OF labor and
capital. With the acknowledgment of
brotherhood, comes also the conscious
ness of duty and responsibility of one
man to another as the brothers keeper"
Official manifestations of this spirit ap.
pear in working mems compensation
acts, widowed mothers pension, child la
Dor laws, and sanitary regulations. Pri-
vate recognition of the principle is seen
in the recent action of several large EN-
ployers of labor, such as the wage sys
tenn of Henry Ford, the protocol of the
Garment Manufacturers Union, and the
Colorado industrial plan instituted by
Rockefeller.
Unfortunately, these are exceptional
cases. The day of complete mutual IN.
Outstanding is but just dawning But
the dawn is of tremendous Significance
1t heralds morning of liberty, truth
justice and equality. that will assured,
usher in new day for capital and labor
"a day of brotherhood instead Of strife.
The Eagle Magazine.