Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-08-30

before.
But while we celebrate, will we
pause for a moment to think what
it is all about? If we don't, the
significance of the occasion will be
lost and it will mean no more than
any other holiday.
Labor Day was set apart by Con-
gressional act as a recognition of
the dignity of labor and of the i'm
portant part the worker plays in
the prosperity of the country and
the advancement of society. Upon
this holiday labor has been wont to
celebrate it's successes and to set its
face anew toward better living con-
ditions for all workingmen.
But this year labor faces a graver
responsibility than ever rested upon
it before. The peace and pros
perity of the whole world depend
upon the wisdom of American la
| Dor leaders and the conservatism of
American working people. The air
has been full of strike talk. IN
dustrial warfare has been upon the
tongues of men everywhere, and not
all the radicalism has been voiced
in the halls of labor. Heads of
great industries who are still living
in that era which closed when
America vert into the worlds war
are talking the dead language of a
well-nigh forgotten past.
Fortunately for America, there
are ample indications that these
radicals on the side of labor and
these stiff-necked aristocrats on the
side of capital are in the minority.
Wise and humane managers of in
dustrial enterprises are showing a
disposition to "go the limit" in the
way of wages and improved living
conditions, while the labor element,
headed by such men as Stone and
Gompers, is giving evidence of q
conservatism of though. and action
that ought to do much to steady
the national business situation until
time will permit of restoration of
equilibrium.
1t is an old ~story, that one of
capital and labor having the same
interests and that they ought to live
in peace and harmony for the berre-
fit of all concerned. But 1t is worth
repeating and emphasizing now,
for, unless the two can get together
on some common basis, we shall
not see in the next five or six years,
at least, anything like a settled con-
dition in this country. Industry
cannot prosper while employees are
at loggerheads with employers, and
thus both the employer and the
employe suffer, for where there is
no prosperity for capital there can
be none for labor, and vice versa.
The answer to our present trou-
bles lies in cool heads and rea-
sonable demands upon both sides.
Capital ought to pay as much as
the industry in which 1t is employed
can reasonably stand in the way
@: wages. but wase earners ought
not to demand more than that, for
when an employers profits are all
taken from him he does just what
the workingmaR would do when
his wages are taken from him-he
quits work-for neither can afford
to labor for nothing. And labor
ought to give u full days work for
full days wages. Increased indi-
| vidual production Will do a lot to-
ward advancing wages and short
ening hours of work, for without
full production no business can
earn profits or pay good wages.
So let us celebrate this Labor Day
in the spirit of good will and amity
that the occasion deserves. Let us
all, employer and employe alike.
for both are laborers, resolve to do
, our best to get together, to rule our
minds by reason and love and give
the Golden Rule place in our holi-
day meditations.
| DOLCE HEARINGS