The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1923-08-31

world resemble today if the same
state of inequality existed that ex.
listed centuries ago? That inequality
made necessary a movement of hu.
mans for solution of the problems
and we have made strides toward q
solution. The escape from that con.
dition is only partially complete. We
have much to strive for and much &c
contend with, to avoid being over.
taken and returned to that serfdom
which certain interests would like
| again to establish. The indifference
of so many people to the well-being
of others is every day exemplified in
| all walks of life, especially in eco
| nomic affairs, as the ambitious only
have visions as to their own aspira-
tions and objects. The fact is that
business, under the present system,
cannot be sympathetic to labor. 1t
is speeded for profit regardless of all
other considerations.
Must Have Sound Thinking
The union is the instrument
through which we can accomplish rea-
sonable aspirations but unions, too,
have their weaknesses and we must
guard against these weaknesses and
their consequences We must avoid
sudden changes of opinion, hasty and
ill-considered actions, avoid economic
fallacies and organize thoroughly,
function efficiently and be actuated
by sound economics. We must give
public affairs good deal of careful
pondering and recalling of pertinent
facts-never acting impulsively. The
union is essential to society and the
individual because it represents the
cohesive power of man and enables
the individual to meet with conf
dence and security the problems of
life. But for such power, chaos
would prevail both in human society
and in the lives of the Individual.
The world is full of problems. These
can only be solved by cooperation
and coordination. There always will
be problems, but by organization and
application of wisdom such problems
will be solved
am a firm believer in initiative
| believe that every man should put
forth his best efforts toward his own
personal success and that it is the
right and the duty of the state to use
reasonable restraints on business,
particularly to protect those least
able to protect themselves against
oppression by the over ambitious, but
the great army of self-respecting
workers viii not look to the state for
protection but will by cooperation
protect themselves against exploita-
tion and oppression. We cannot de
pend upon the disposition of the en-
ployer for consideration.
The fascination of succeeding in
business, such success measured by
the amount of money made, makes all
business men look to business and
none are concerned in providing good
conditions for the worker. Business
is business" is the slogan. The work
er of today is the business man of
tomorrow and assumes business tao
ties too. There is no use decrying
business and its methods Business
and business men always have existed
and always will exist in progressive
nations and if for no other reason
the people will be forced to organize
to resist the avarice of business.
Distributor is Exploiter
The tactics of the distributor are
unbearabe, There is no more fla
grant example of exploitation than
the present system of distribution.
1t is little short of giving as little
as possible for as much as possible.
Business today is based on profit, not
service, and this idea seems to pene-
trate the whole human race. This
evil is growing every day but eventu-
ally will cure itself. We are an in
genious people and we endure a lot
but when we finally rebel we do so
with a vengeance. Formerly the la
boring class worked because they
were slaves and had no voice in their
affairs, but that day is passed for
ever.
Today the worker can combine and
bargain collectively. We will also
use our organized efforts to force
distribution of necessities at reason
able profit. We resent the imputa-
tion that wages are responsible for
costs. Wages are established on the
cost of living, etc. No previous gen.
GRAFTON received in dollars as much
for their labor and no generation paid
so many dollars for sustenance and
the pleasure of respectable appear
ance and habitation
Opportunity Always Present
Members of no previous genera
tion had the opportunities which
exist today to better their condition
either as a worker or by entering
into business. Opportunity is always
present. No class privilege exists or
at least no such privilege is recog-
nized by law or otherwise. In short,
man is in a position to determine his
condition. Business is organized and