The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-27
AN EVER PRESENT PROBLEM.

Regardless of its social and political
aspects, a great deal of sober thought
is being given to the labor problem in
the United States. Man for man. the
relation between the individual who
tolls with his hands and the individ-
ual who hires and directs never was
more cordial than it is today. That
is explained by the way in which. man
for man. Americas citizens pulled
thru the war. But as industrial units,
it must be admitted that labor and
capital are not in accord with one an
other as they might be.
The wish and purpose to maintain
the wages of labor at the highest
standard compatible with continued
industrial activity was never more gen.
eral and sincere among employers
than at the present moment. Capital
is no less DESTROYS than labor to find
means whereby wage levels may be
kept as high as the conditions of trade
will permit. But desire does not alone
govern the situation. In the long run
the employment of lab and the level
| of wages are governed by the same
la VS. that govern trade. The business
of production can be carried on only
under conditions that permit profit.
The cost of earning a dollar can never
for any length of time be more than
the dollar itself.
1t might seem at first to be all a
matter of adjustment, the sole diff
Guilty lying in determining how far one
side or the other should go in making
concessions in that adjustment. But
the difficulty is more deep-seated than
that. Since the beginning of the war,
capital, altho a large part of its prof
its have been taxed away from it, has
conceded more and more to workers,
and now many of the workers want
the process to continue. Business ac-
tivity has receded and in many direc-
tions prices have come down, But
labor is not pleased to have it's en-
ployment curtailed as business activ-
ity recedes nor is it content to have
wage scales follow prices downward.
This is not to say that labor has de-
Iiberately made up it's mind to ignore
obvious things. Forward-looking in
ldustria1 leaders are seeking more than
ever u the wage WOIhSTS
and meet them in a spirit that is fully
abreast of the new era in which we are
living. The same is true of those labor
leaders who have a conception of their
responsibilities to the nation. Under
the guidance of these leaders, it would
seem that no greater service in the in
terest of the country could be per-
formed than that of bringing capital
and labor into mutual confidence and
understanding, in a real spirit of CO.
operation.
What we require more than any
thing else today, says bulletin issued
by the Mechanics and Metals National
bank, is the antithesis of Bolshevism;
that is, an eager desire on the part
of all interests together to solve the
new questions in a spirit of justice and
mutual sympathy. Granted a right
cooperation and a proper recognition
of the fundamental doctrines upor
which our economic structure i.
founded. Americas future will be Sc.
cure. Inevitably, however, if America
is to prosper, capital and labor mus
be Joined in all forms of endeavor
Should the two come to deal with
confidence and understanding, the re,
|, suits achieved will be beyond anything
, heretofore accomplished.