Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-28
Letters to the Editor
Asks Fair Play for Workers

To me Editor Of the ErCuhiD PublC L'dUcr:
slr-The EvENtNG PuRiLC IEpGER has rem
dcred the community n large service In pub
lshing tho three articles on the textile in
Guatrv in Philadelphia. I want to commend
tho EvgNINU PURIIC BEuGEU Tor tho fairness
or the Investigation and the accuracy Of the
siatem ments | have made some study Of
the conditions here. and believe Mr. Rogers
las Justly appraised the situation by reveal
ing some things our people should know and
about ~. 600 textile workers are out Of
er,r'nvment IN our city II is true that the
wages of many have been Increased during
IN, last two~yCars. But the great mass of
,h, workers have never received the equiv
n, Mt " living income. This long period
of unemployment IL bringing serious Conse-
tLerces to many
The employers insist that wages must be
reduced from II 10 40 per cent before the
mills can be- reopcned and run at profit.
I,ut tho workers CAIN tMt the mill owners
fg,r made vast profits during the last three
vars Figures have been published show
II e that there is ground for this belief. I
lave seen statement which shows that
I'M ono line of industry profits we're made
last year of lll6 per cent. The workers
hcIicvo that there has been great prohtoer.
rg; they believe that present wag" rates
cuuld be retained and the mills run q n
rcqs,n nablo profit. II is certain that no sen.
slhlr mon mean expect to continue making war
profts Employers must he satisfied with
A reasonable income on the investment.
The workers have shown reasonable
,rtrit In all their demands. They are asked
l. accept y large cut in wages, but thol
want to know that such n cut Is necessary.
They want to know whether the employers
will accept u propOrt Tomato reduction in
normal profits. The workers ask that they
b, taken into confidence and tn" facts be
presented Their demand is just and right.
When they are asked to accept reduction
IN wages below a living income they nave n
riVht 20 know whether the employers are
a,so bringing profits back to a reasonah'"
basis.
partnership whose successful running de
ponds upon the cheerful cooperation Of all
nariirS Tho very idea Of partnership ano
cso.opera tion demands confidence and g""d
viIl. The time has gone ny when industry
- II be run in an autOcrntiC way. The work.
prs who are partners in the enterprise must
tg,e n partners knowledge of the enterprise
md n partners voice in II.
The textile men in this city hRv" the op-
portunty Of doing fine democratic and
christian thing, Let them confer with n"
workers concerning every question 1T issue.
Let everything be done in confidence and
rond will We npcd to remember that the
successful running Of Industry depends upon
tho confidence and good will Of all parties.
Employers who do not have tn" good will
e their workers are playing losing gam"
and cannot expect good service.
Price readjustment ~ necessary, hut II
must he fair all around We must remem-
Der that living wage for the worker Is
always the first moral claim on industry.
SAMUEL Il. BATrEN,
chairman Social Service Committee,
Northern Baptist Convention.
Philadelphia. February %. 1871.