The Connecticut labor press., 1921-01-08

vealed the power of the working peopl,
| to realize and improve the industrial
system and raises the hope that we ma,
| be able to stem the tide of economic
social and moral degradations, robbine
those who work of a very large share
of their natural wages and keeping
| the whole of society within few
months of restitution. Trade-unions
regard the workman as the producer OF
| the wealth of the world and demand
| that wages, as long as the wage system
| may last, shall be sufficient to enable
linn to support his family i'll a manner
consistent with existing civilization and
all that is required for maintaining and
improving physical and mental health
and the self-respect of human beings
Yours very truly,
w. E. KIMsEY, Secretary-Treasurer,
Oregon State Federation of Labor.
From James Duncan, First Vice
President 4. F. of L.; President, Gran
ito Cutters International Association of
Americd; member, Interstate Commerce
Commission.
(a) By lever increasing wages and
shortening hours" Organized Labor is
not endeavoring to absorb industry,
but is endeavoring that those employed
in industry shall have something to say
about it, and shall be logically and prop
erly considered in compensation for the
skill and labor power members of Or
gained Labor give to insure a healthy
and profitable output in industry.
OBJ [ do not believe that advancing
wages and shortening hours" will be
continued indefinitely. Organized
workers have been endeavoring in both
of those directions because of having
been overworked and underpaid, and
the captains of industry, instead of en-
deavOring to relieve those inhuman con-
ditions, piled on agony, until the work
ers, through the valued assistance of
organization and understanding, so con-
Quoted themselves that the captains of
industry found they had to reason with
them.
(c) The sound principles which
should govern Labor's demands relative
to wages and hours will be found in
the introduction and practice of a prop
er cooperative method in which the
workers will receive their proportionate
share OF the correct and normal values
of the finished product, and in connec-
ton with which capital and manage
ment will be also properly compensated
and protected, so that industry NAV
continue in a healthy and progressive
course. | do not believe that any fixed
regulations can be named for declaring
what those values shall be, for evo1u-
ton must play its part and the inte11i-
gence OF the people, especially those en-
poyed IN the various industries, can be
counted upon when fairness and Justice
are IN evidence for a proper recognition
of compensation to all interests in
volved.
From Daniel J. Tobm, Tycasuyer 4.
+. of L.; member, 4. F. of L. E.recu-
the Council; General President, Inter-
1atlonaI Brotheyhood of Transfers,
Chanfemrs, Stablemen & HELPERS of
Americd.
In answer to question (a) I desire to
say, in my opinion, Labor is not irving |
to absorb industry. The American |
Federation of Labor, as l understand it, |
believes that it is necessary for the sue |
cess of our American principles and in |
't1tut1ons and the success of the work. |
ors, that honest capital and honest en-
oloyers be maintained and encouraged |
II industry. | do not admit that Labor
$ not capable of properly managing in
1ustry, but, in my opinion, Labor does
III dNoIIO " w 81 tCCdlSc IL IGdl1ZoS
he right of others i'll industry, especially
,o-called businessmen or capitalists, but,
labor insists that it be given certain
ust consideration in the profits of in
1ustry so that it will honestly partici-
'ate III the profits of the business
While [ should say that Labor is not
to absorb industry, that is,
he legitimate American trade-union La
'or, it is true that foreign-born 1aborers
coming to our country with Socialistic
md Soviet ideas are advocating the de-
of capital and the entire con-
rol of industry by the so-called masses
meaning the workers-and in truth
hey are making some slight Roadway.
Gut this type does not represent the
american tradeunionist and is vastly in
he minority at the present time.
OBJ What the effect will be of con-
lnually advancing wages and shorten
ng hours, is something that I am not
frald of, because, in my Judgment this
Ondlt1on will not prevail continuously.
There will, however, be a demand for
n advance in wages until the masses of
he workers earn, not only enough to
rotect them during the years in which
hey are able to work, but enough SO
hat they may set aside sufficient to
rotect them in their old age At the
resent time the workers are not able
D do this.
The shortening of hours will not pre-
all continuously. That practice will
ease when hours reach a certain point
roport1onate to the requirements of the
nergy needed for particular OCCupa-
on. The speed-up systems continually
Oming into business through the intro
uCtion of improved machinery, necessi-
lte the shortening of the day, because
lie human machine cannot continuously
and the strain. The shortening of the
avs work depends mainly upon the
allure of the work.
(c) In answer to this question, I de-
re to say that the first principle to be | ,
np1oyed by Labor should be the prin- :
pie of justice to all commemorative |
nplOyers, the public and the workers.
Ihen such a reasonable wage is OBJ :
-1ned the workers should not insist on -,
ore, unless, as stated above the spe-
al industry in which some may be
nployed, is making such enormous
rOfIts that the worker would be Justly
1titled to part of the surplus profits. -;
From ". c. Carten, President, =
of LOcomotiq'e Fiyemen
I'd EngueMen.
(a) In my opinion, Organized Labor, c
at is American trade-unions, by their I
quests for advances in wages and 7
lOrtenlng of hours, from time to time i
- i