The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-09-02
Labor Day

Labor Day
This day is set aside by law for labor. The
manner in which it is spent suggests how
far this country has travelled since 1t was
first established in 1882 in order that organl-
cations of workers could have one free day
in which to plan or to celebrate.
Today there are few labor meetings and
few speeches. One or two leaders broadcast
but it is probable that the great majority of
members of labor unions are too busy with
their automobiles to take the time to listen.
Labor day came into existence because Of
a necessity. When industry first called men
from the fields and the organization of capital
began to change relationship between the
man who hired one or two men and worked
at their side at forge or bench to one in
which executives never saw those who did
the work, the great battle was one Of wages
and hours.
The treatment was harsh The condition
was one of either open or potential warfare.
Long hours and low wages was the desire Of
every employer. Shorter hours and higher
wages was the necessity of every worker.
1t required many bitter fights to establish
the right of workers to organize. Advances
in wages were obtained, in most cases, only
after battle.
The early days of industry offered to no
worker the hope of ownership of homes or of
comforts. He could not expect to use the
things he manufactured and to which he gave
his life. There was a deep chasm between
the living conditions of those who labored
and those who owned.
Well, just as an experiment, go out to the
state fair this afternoon and attempt to pick
out the man who works in a factory from the
one who may own stock in that factory. He
may be the same person.
You will have greater difficulty should
you try to pick out the wife or daughter Of
the worker from the wife or daughter Of the
owner. They dress alike and deport them
selves in the same manner. They graduate
from the same schools. They have the same
tastes and for the most part, have them
satisfied.
The introduction of labor-saving machin-
cry and some glimmer of enlightened selfish
ness has so changed conditions that it is
difficult to arouse any enthusiasm by talking
of working class" Glass consciousness is
gone. The line is too ephemeral to be recog-
nized. 1t shifts too quickly to become perma-
nent with any one The hatred has gone.
There is a basis for final industrial peace.
That does not mean, of course, that all
problems are solved. It only means that the
old way of regulating wages and hours by
force have gone. The old policy Of grinding
down the wage Garner to the bread line OF
poverty is disgarded as Improbable, as well
as unjust and Infamous.
The problem of management Of industry
will one day be provoking. 1t will come If
there is no recognition of the one great fact
that the function of both ownership and
labor is the efficient production of necessi-
ties, comforts and luXuries and their dis
tribution on the basis of the satisfaction OF
every one who contributes.
The problem of leisure will one day be as
urgent as was the problem of lack of leisure.
The creation of a social conscience that rec
ognizes human brotherhood as the basis of
all relationships is goal yet to be achieved.
But Labor day has lost it's old signifi-
canoe. There has been progress. There is
still progress. And when ever there is
progress there is always hope that peace and
not warfare will settle the problems of life.
If you need confirmation ask yourself
who would recognize the stereotyped figure
of Labor with his square cap, his barred arm,
his uplifted hammer, if it were used today in
cartoon?