Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-06-14
MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED
pnTCG
SATURDAY. "A, 19l!
OUR LABOR SITUATION.

OUR LABOR STU AiIoN'
Again the Journal states conditions
never will be the same as they were
before the war. We have to adjust
ourselves to new conditions.
The Republic" of Plato and the
utopia" of Sir Thomas More are still
excellent reading. as artistic dreams
of1what would be pleasant were it pos
sibIe. and as containing many beauti'
full and wise thoughts.
. But this is the day of hard, practical
things and no one should be beguiled
bv the theories of socialist philoso-
phers who are seeking to find world
in which work shall he unnecessary
and food, clothing and housing. album
dant. on the other hand, it is just as
idle to dream of the return of condi-
lions in which the wage Garner shall
again be the slave of his job and that
his existence on the earth shall be re-
gardcd as primarily for the benefit of
the men who hire him.
only the other day, n business man
of this city complained to the Journal
that the reported policy of the Amer
lean Lumber com psny to pay mini
mum of four dollars a day would set
standard of wages that would injure
the business of the city. This is a
narrow view. 1t is difficult for any
man to keep a family today on less
than four dollars a day. AS stated
before in the Journal. the higher
wages paid to the shopmen of this city
has made it possible for Albuquerque
to prosper,
British Labor Policy.
Here is a statement issued by the
Labor party of Great Britain that
might be recommended to our states
men, or business men and our labor
leaders for careful consideration;
THE labor party has 40 belief in
the problems OF the world being
solved by good will alone. Good will
without knowledge is warmth without
light. Especially in all the compleXi-
ties of politics. in the still undeveloped
science of society, the labor party
stands for increased study, for scien-
tifiC investigation Of each succeeding
problem, for the deliberate organza
ton of research and for a more rapid
dissemination among the whole peo-
pie of all the science that exists
Here is the final sentence Of the
program:
IF law is the mother of freedom,
science, to the labor party, must be
the parent of law
The employer must realize that he
must pay his employees living wage
"A good-living wage-and must treat
them as men equal in privilege and
dignity with himself.
On the other hand, labor must justi-
greater production, Let us be per-
fectly frank and recognize a cond
ton: 1t is not improbable that gov
eminent operation of railroads would
have justified a belief in government
ownership. had it not been for a gen
eral breaking down of the morale OF
the employees. 1t is only now and then
that the travelling public gets courte-
Gus or efficient treatment from the
railroad employes--though the en-
ployes, almost without exception.
sire government ownership.
Must BE Faced Honestly.
1t makes no difference how U%-
nant either employers or en- We.
may become when they see -
statements in print, they are fac
just the same. and must be faced by
both sides.
Labor in this city has authorized
the Journal to say that It is willing
to meet the business men in a friendly
conference. and the business men are
willing to meet representatives of la
Dor. SO why should there be further
trouble, or threat of trouble?
Capital cannot dictate. as it used to;
labor cannot dictate as ii has attempt.
ed to dc in some instances. Let every
one study. the announcement of the
British Labor party, and get there
from higher understanding of what
must be the attitude of both labor and
capital. Capital must pay we'll If il
is 10 prosper; labor must understand
that it must be efficient, if it is to earn
good pay. The largest amount of pay
for the smallest amount of work can.
not be tolerated. as a policy, any more
than the smallest amount of pay for
the largest amount of work.