The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-02-06
Charles Aubrey Eaton, In Ieslte's

Charles Aubrey Eaton. In Ieslte'e
Personally am OF the opinion that
the great schisrn between labor and
CAPITAL, the eInploye and employer,
has entered the stage Of reconciliation
and healing. base this opinion upon
two great incontrovertibls factS- Tha
first IL that public opinion n ArnAricA
Is against the use OF its Anormora
public power by Organized labor in
Its struggle against organized capital.
When the question lay between =
small group OF individuals ana IN TN
personal corporation, public opinion
largely favored the employe This
favor did not rest upon any special
regard for a clasz. but il was the ex-
preston Of a fundamental Americas
attitude which demands fair play ana
a square deal and equal opportunity
for every individual man, regardless
Of the class to which he may belong.
In the coal strike and the steel
strika, and III many lesser struggles
during the past year. upblic opinion
has been decidedly and with In
creasing emphasis against the con-
tantions OF organized labor. Apart al
together from the very real necee-
s!ty OF improvement in the condt-
lion of many miners and many steal
workers, the American people have
taken their stand on this proposition.
that no single group within the nation
ran be permitted 10 tear down and
destroy the general prosperity OF the
people in crderl to eettie any tndtyid-
uai Or class issue. II the miners
union will present its grievances
clearly and simply before the bar ct
public opinion. those grievances will
be forced toward fair and Just sAt-
tlennent by the sheer weight of an
enlightened public opinion. Eut the
American people do not zeal called
upon 70 freeze and atarve and hav~
their children die % pneumonia and
their bneiness be put out OF commits
sion in order to give the coal miners
six hour-day. ave days a weak. or to
help Mr.. Fitzpatrick and Mr.. FostAr
tsocialize the basic industries OF tie
country"
Public opinion viii not permit the
schiarn between labor and capital to
deepen, hut will insist that 1T be hAal-
ed by the application of social justice
and by the bringing Of both parties
under the control and authority Of
the laws and Standards Of the nation
The second fact upon which bass
nay personal nelleE 1nas 2por and
capital are tending TO come together
in this country is the amazing change
In attitude and method on the part OF
the great leaders in industry Ancrx
the employers.
Hitherto. labor, whether organized
or unorganized has had TO look for
leadership outside the local industry
where 1t was employed. The am
ployer has rarely realized that
he was the normal leader OF the
men in his employ With blindness
almost unbelievable he permitted
those associated with him As working
men to develop the belief that he had
no vital interest In their welfare be-
vond securing from the nathe largest
possible return for wages paid
This condition liz rapidly changing
A great and growing class OF era
pioyers in this country at the present
tine are facing the new probierx
with open minds and willing hearts
They are coming 70 their man In
new spirit Of friendship and cooper
alton and are seeking 70 introduce
into the mechanical industries IT
this nation human element
along lacking. but absolutely essential
Ia peace and progress