Albuquerque morning journal., 1920-09-20

Labor day address of Judge r. H..
Hanna, democratic candidate for
governor:
This day has been celebrated
for thirty-three years as public
holiday It's celebration is calcu at
ed and intended to properly dignity
labor as the great economic force
back of all material prosperity, and
without which most things that we
hold dear would be denied us.
1T may seem trite to suggest
that following the great world war,
industrial disorder and unsettled
business conditions were to be ex-
pected. Such conditions have fol-
lowed all wars, and while we have
had in this country TO some extent,
disturbed business conditions, we
have had very little to complain Of
in that respect, and are apparently
going through panic or other seri-
Gus difficulty.
This is in large measure due
to the fact that the American
worker is and has been, through
the entire period referred to, gen.
orally speaking, well paid and able
to buy all of the necessities of life
even at the present high costs.
To the business men who some
times may complain about the bur-
den of high wages, we would sug-
gest that he might be in greater
difficulty were it not for the same
high wages, which in all probable
ity are proving to be the very life
blood of his and all other business.
History of Labor Problems.
''The so-called labor problem
has long been so denominated. In
the first quarter of the last CEN
tury there were no labor organiza-
tions. There were no large indus
tries or great railroads employing
many thousands of men, and little
or no difficulty arose as between
the employer and the employe, be-
cause the relationship was purely
an individual and personal one.
With the development of the great
business interests of this country,
and the employment of large NUM-
| bers of men in the industries, the
| factories and all other Industrial
pursuits, 1t necessarily followed
that the employer could not re-
main in touch with his employe.
Often times the industry was owned
| by nonresident and even foreign
| stockholders, who never came in
personal contact with the employe.
| The drive for profits result in a
| diregard of the necessities of the
laboring man, with the result that
1.-The labor organizations came into
being out of an effort to protect
the laborer against the conditions
usder which he struggled. Numer-
Gus remedies were suggested and
offered and many of them tried
out, only to be discarded, few OF
them meeting with general en-
ldorsement. ....
"As the difficulties increased,
conflicts between capital and la
Dor multiplied. 1t was once deemed
entirely proper to import large
numbers of men from foreign
countries, who had not been ac-
icustomed to American conditions
and to supplant American laborers
with these men who might and Of
ten did work for a mere pittance
It was believed that the law OF
supply and demand in the labor
market was the only rule which
could and should bind the en-
ployer.
Attempts at solution.
"Happily this situation has large,
4 lv been altered for the better, and
our people generally have been ed
fucated to believe that human rlghts
and necessities are important aho
that the laborer is worthy of his
hire and should be encouraged tc
better his condition.; that his child'
rem are lust as much entitled to ar
education as are the children Of
anv other man, with the result tha'
most employers have now come te
the point where they are Wiling tt
accent the more enlightened prln'
| cinles as applied to these prop.
lens. and in recent years we INT
that many employers have resort
| ed to it-sharing-many otner'
have made voluntary increases II
wage scales, and most of them nave
endeavored to improve the eohdi
tion of the laboring man to tht
best of their ability. -,
am not unmindful that thi
statement Is not without its eNcep
tions. but the conhition as ne
tween capital and labor mas =
greatly improved within the las
ton or fifteen years that there i
much reason to feel greatly en-
couraged and entertain large hope
for the future.
4 zone of the most recent attempt
at a solution of the labor prooien
has been the creation of courts Q
Cancellation and arbitration or com
missions having for their purpos
these objects. In thus eflort .ne,
have departed from the voluh'ar'
arrangement common to the iaV
and the statutes upon the shnJeo
and have assumed a phase KNOW
as COMPULSORY arbitration. Propa
hIv the most signal example Oh thi
has been the Kansas ihu =
lations court. This mode pfoviuo
, that when a controversy pet"ee'
! employer and employe mas feaono'
/ noint endangefing the cohtliini
, ~ of service or threatens the pup
liz neace. the public health or IN
|, General welfare of the people, tn
court may upon its own lnieiativ
or upon the application OF elthe
] Marty to the dispute or upon IN
netition of the attorney genera 9
tha complaint of ten citizen TAX
J navers, take jurisdiction. determih
f and adiudicate such differences
Land Inv court order fix rules am
| regulations concerning hours OF Ia
} bor and working conditions. an
: establish a minimum wage Q
standard Of wages, all OF whiel
, must be observed by both partie
| unless changed by agreement 2
5 the parties and approval of tn
: court.
t Compulsory Features Objection
able"
Y "The infirmity and obiecton !
/ this procedure is the cempuisosr q,
III feature closely approximatins ~
: voluntary servitude, as to whle nc
Al al, men must necessarily be OF on
I r,;rd In effect it denies the rign