The
success of one must leave the other penniless.
Let us look at the matter of a coal strike only, for simplicity's
sake.
In a coal mine you have three factors:
First. The COAL given to men--presumably for the use of mankind
in general--by Divine Providence.
Second. The WORKMEN who dig the coal, haul it, screen it, etc.
Third. The OWNER, who through money, or intelligence, or both,
gets control of mines and works them for his profit.
The mine owner resents the suggestion that he and his men are
partners.
Ought he to resent that suggestion? We think not.
Miners without any capitalist could certainly get coal out of the
ground.
The capitalist without miners could not possibly get coal out of
the ground.
The labor is at least as important as the mine. ----
The capitalist who wishes to acquire a mine is willing to grant
certain rights and conditions to him who has the MINE for sale.
He treats with that person as with an equal.
WHY WILL HE NOT GRANT RIGHTS AND EQUALITY TO THOSE WHO HAVE THE
LABOR FOR SALE?
If a hundred men own the mine, and elect a certain agent to
represent them in the sale, the capitalist will willingly treat
with that agent EVEN THOUGH HE BE NOT ONE OF THE ACTUAL MINE
OWNERS. It becomes simply a question of the agent's AUTHORITY.
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