The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1922-04-11
Talk Is Given Friday Evening
AT Trades & Labor Coun-
Gil Meeting
HE FAVORS A COURT TO
SETTLE DIFFERENCES
Holds 1t Unfair To Blame La
Dor With Responsibility
For Conditions

we'll nlled ny the NUMBER or working
men of Mt. Vernon who came to hear
talk given by Mayor Charles b
Keigley. The number probably would
have been larger than it was had il
not been that weather conditions in
the early part of the evening were
inclement and of a nature tending to
discourage excursions out of doors.
Those who came to the meeting had
the pleasure and satisfaction of list
ening to talk in which Mayor Keig
ley expressed frankly his views. and
the manner of his thinking upon
things that are subject of common
interest and concern.
What he had to say to his audience
Mayor Keigley informed them, is bas
ed upon an interest due to the fact
that he himself, all his mature life
until now, has been a working man
AS further evidence of his interest
in and concern for the workers he
mentioned his record made while q
member Of the city couscil and as
shown by his appointments since he
has been mayor of Mt. Vernon.
Speaking of general conditions May
or Keigley said 1t Is certain that al
here have one thing in common-al
are trying to make living. 1t is but
re q h1n tn hot ocf
two sides to all arguments and all
should consider Capital and Labor
from this viewpoint.
1t was held to be apparent to al
fair minded men that it is necessary
to have both Capital and Labor. II
is also true that all must be governed
equally by the laws of the land.
In his school days he was taught
that in this country all are equal and
have equal opportunity. Only after
he began to work did he learn other
wise. Considering his savings after
q period of II years he has come tc
the conclusion that should he live to
be as old as Methuslah he might pos
sibly accumulate so much as $4,000
But should he die before he is SOC
years old his misfortune will be be
yond calculation.
Pondering the question What is
wrong in this country?" he has come
to the conclusion that whatever it is
is altogether due to the fact that
the wealthy have many privileges that
the working people have not. Capital
first learned the lesson and the i'm
portance of combination. 1t was fol
lowed by combinations of intellect
and finally labor
Labor has learned that it must or.
ganize and it has and is organizing
Many benefits have come through la.
Dor organizations. There is some.
thing radically wrong when ma labor.
ing man does not receive just com.
pennsation for his services. Organ
lied labor has helped all workers to
better their conditions, whether they
belong to labor unions or not.
1t was held to be unfair and unjust
to blame labor with all the RESPONSE
bility for disturbed labor conditions.
The employers should take half the
blame. If they have employed more
men than they needed, as was done
during the war, labor is not be
blamed for that. But the tendency is
to put all the blame for profiteering
on labor. II there is any blame to
be placed both offenders should bear
it equally.
The opinion was expressed that so
per cent of the divorces and of the
downfall of girls is due to econom-
ic conditions. The responsibility was
placed upon employers who fail to
pay fair living wages. 1t was shown
to be unjust to pay girl $500 or
$500 week and expect her to main
tain herself upon such pay. She
might If she has parents to support
her but manifestly she cannot if she
must support herself.
The indifference of the workers to
the church was attributed to what is
held to be the fact that the ministers
are out of sympathy with the work
ers. Wealth has learned that the
church has it's powerful influence and
has cultivated it.
There have grown up great organ
iaztions OF capital, Of labor and Of
the farmers. Each is interested and
concerned in advancing their own
interests and none are very close
or sympathetic with the others. There
is no cooperation between them.
There is an almost complete lack Of
l.I T. .II l. H