The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-06-24
Capital and Labor

The principle on which all concerned should
deal with the labor question appears to me plain
said Otto H. Kahn, New York banker, before the
Carnegie Institute recently. 1T is the principle
of the Golden Rule. / think the formula should
be that, first, labor is entitled to a living wage;
after that, capital is entitled to living wage;
what is left over belongs to both capital and
labor in such proportion as fairness and equity
and reason shall determine in all cases.
'"The application of that formula is, of course
complex and difficult, because there are so many
different kinds of labor, there are so many diff
ferent kinds of capital. Not infrequently the
laborer and capitalist overlap and merge into one
You have skilled labor and unskllled labor and
casual labor, you have the small employer the
large Individual employer, the corporate en-
ployer, the inventor, the prospector, etc. And
then, circumstances and conditions vary greatly
of course in different parts of the country and
in different industries.
1T is impossible to measure by the same yard
stick everywhere, but the principle OF fairness
can be stated the desire be stated to do every
thing possible to bring about good feeling and
good understanding between labor and capital,
and willingly and freely to cooperate so that
labor shall receive its fair share in the fruits OF
industry, not only by way of a wage return, but
of an adequate return also in those less tangible
things which make for contentment and happi-
ness
ut seems to me that, in the main, right-think-
ing men of capital and of labor would concur in
the following points:
1. .'The workman is neither machine nor a
commodity He is collaboration with capital &
do not use the word partner" because partner
ship implies sharing the risks and losses Of the
business, which risks and losses labor does not
and cannot be expected to share, except to linn
tied extent and Indirectly He must be given an
effective voice in determining jointly with the
EMPLOYER the conditions under which he works,
either through committees in each factory or
other unit, or through labor unions, or through
both. Individual capacity, industry and ambl-
ton must receive encouragement and recognition.
The employers attitude should not be one OF pat
ronizing or grudging concession, but frank and
willing recognition of the dignity of the status of
the worker and of the consideration due to him
in his feelings and viewpoints.
Everything practicable must be done to in
fuse interest and conscious purpose into his work,
and to diminish the sense of drudgery and mono
tony of his daily task. The closest possible con-
tact must be maintained between employer and
employee. Arrangements for the adjustment OF
grievances must be provided which will work
smoothly and instantaneously. Every feasible
opportunity must be given to the workman to be
informed as to the business of which he forms a
part He must not be deprived of his employ
ment without valid cause. For his own salts
faction and the good of the country, every induce
rnent and facility should be extended to him to
become the owner Of property.
Responsibility has nearly always SOLDERING
and usually broadening effect. | believe it to
be in the interest Of labor and capital and the
public at large that workmen should participate
in industrial responsibilities to the greatest ex-
tent compatible with the maintenance of needful
order and system and the indispensable unity of
management. Therefore, wherever it is practi-
cable and really desired by the employees them
selves to have representation the Board of
Direction, I think that should be conceded. It
would give them better notion of the problems,
complexities and cares which the employer has
to face 1t would tend to allay the suspicious and
to remove the misconceptions which, SO frequent
", are the primary cause of trouble. The work
man would come to realize that capitalists are
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