The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-07-24
is a finely expedient time just now for real
of Americanism.
NEW VIEW OF CAPITAL AND LABOR.

NEW VIEW OF CAPITAL. AND LABOR.
The principle on which all concerned should
IDEAL with the labor question appears to me
plain. 1t is the principle of the golden rule, =
Ideclares Otto III. Kahn In his book Sour Econ
lomic and Other Problems With the keen
analysis Of the trained financier and the skilled
economist, he pitilessly exposes the great ex-
listing evils of our economic system. But he
does more than this-he suggests their remedy
In constructive and clearly defined program.
] Mr.. Kahn speaks in equivocal terms Of the
relation between capital and labor. II think, =
| lie says frankly, ''the formula should be that
first, labor is entitled to living wage; after
that capital is entitled to living wage; what
lis left over belongs to both capital and labor, in
such proportions as fairness and equity and
reason shall determine in all cases.
| An interesting angle on the intimate connecc
ton between capital and labor is the statement
that ''there are so many different kinds of la
Dor; there are so many different kinds of capital
Not infrequently the laborer and capitalist
overlap and merge into one. You have skilled
labor and unskilled labor; you have the small
employer, the large individual employer, the
corporate employer, the farmer, the inventor,
the prospector, etc. And then circumstances
and conditions vary greatly, of course, in diff
iferent parts of the country and in different in
Idustries.''
OF course it is impossible to measure by the
same yard-stick everywhere, as Mr. Kahn adj
Elits. But the principle Of fairness can be stat
ed; the desire can be stated to do everything pos
sible to bring about good feeling and good under
standing between labor and capital, and viii
llngly and freely to cooperate so that labor
shall receive it's fair share in the fruits of indus
try, not only by way of wage return, but of an
adequate return also in those less tangible
things which make for contentment and happi-
ness
Mr. Kahn outlines what he believes are the
essential points capital and labor to be fol
lowed by right thinking men. He says:
The workman neither machine
modify. He is collaboration with capital. He
jointly with the employer the conditions under
which he works. Individual capacity. industry
and ambition must receive encouragement and rec
ognition. Nor must the employer look for graft
tude." No is entitled ask gratitude for
doing that which is right. The closest possible
contact must be maintained between employer and
employe. Arrangements for the adjustment of
grievances must be provided.
The workers living conditions must be made
diSnihed and attractive to himself and his fam
Nothing Of greater importance To the
tent that the employer is unable to provide such
homes, it becomes the duty of the state or COM
muny.
The worker must be relieved of the dread of
sickness, unemployment, and old age. The
muny must find ways and means of seeing to
it that any fit and honestly DESTROYS to- do
honest days work shall have opportunity
a living
The worker must receive wage which not
only permits him to keep body and soul together,
but take proper of his wife and children.
to have for himself and for them share of the
comforts, interests and recreations of life
Mr.. Kahn then goes on to analy we the cause!
of poverty. "Labor must realize that high