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About The Conservative (Nebraska City, Neb.) 1898-1902 | View Entire Issue (April 25, 1901)
' * ; C8' 'Cbe Conservative * The recent book , THE POLITICAL by Henry Wood , ECONOMY OF entitled "The Poli HUMANISM. tical Economy of Humanism , " pub lished by Lee & Shepard , is a practical treatise for practical people. It is unique in its method of the application of economic principles to the affairs of commercial life. Mr. Wood has subdivided his work into sections , each treating of problems which are of particular interest to all employers as well as employees. Particular stress is laid upon the im mutability of natural law. In fact , every circumstance of commercial life , and every industrial problem of present and future import will , inevitably , come under the dominion of natural law. By natural law every condition of labor , capital , wage , production , and combina tion will ultimately reach a perfect solution , independent of governmental legislation and all other present means of attempting to work out the intricate questions which now appear difficult of disposition. In Mr. Wood's iirst subdivision , entitled - titled "General " it is Principles , sug gested that a large General Principles , portion of the pre sent conditions , in the economy of human relations , are very crude , and will be outgrown , ap parently , but in reality , superseded by the higher law of" nature. A legislative e'uactment can be repealed , but a natural law remains intact for all time. It is stated , and very truly , that a higher law may supersede , or render impotent , a lower one. In other words , a crude condition cannot bo legislated out of existence , but , by the operation of natural law , the enactments of legisla tures will be. rendered inoperative. As an instance it is cited that "it is im possible to galvanize unselfishness upon humanity from the ouside through gov ernmental legislation. ' ' Such attempts savor of partisan policies ; they are arti ficial shells , guaranteed to fit conditions , but are ineffective and futile. Uuselfish- ness is a feature of natural law , and can become a reality only by the develop ment of the social condition. The operation - oration must be from the center , out ward , and not from without , toward the center. In this section the ultimate omnipo tence of natural law is emphasized , and it becomes the final solution of all per plexing intricacies. Natural law is the substance of the entire work. Says Mr. Wood : "Supply is positive ; demand is negative. " Negatives are constantly search- Supply and Demand , ing for their cor responding posi tives , and positives wait to bestow them selves. . Supply and demand are not only incomplete without the other , but each is evidence of the existence of- the other. This interesting principle assumes great importance throughout the book , and , in a measure , becomes one of the underlying axioms of natural law , according to Mr. Wood. The illus tration of this principle , as given by Mr. Wood , will inspire severe criticism among other economists. He states that the prevalence of a natural desire or demand for a future reward is , per se , evidence of the existence of a future iife or supply. Upon the stability or accuracy of tin's so-called axiom , de pends many of the logical propositions which are deduced all through the treatise. The elasticity and beneficence of the law of supply and demand is comment ed upon. It will , independently , adapt itself to all conditions , irrespective 'of Legislative interference or other retard ing forces. The assumption of the natural priv ilege to fix rates of interest is denied , upon the basis that such usurped author ity is antagonistic to the ideal operation of normal conditions , and such obstacles will eventually be superseded by the slow , but sure , development and ulti mate triumph of natural law. "There fore , " comments the author , "he who sows seeds of discontent in the minds of the laboring men , is not their true friend , " for the reason that , instead of promoting the betterment of prevalent conditions , by such sowing , the approach of natural law is impeded by unnatural conditions. Contrary to existing belief , a normal use of the word "competition" does not imply Competition. unfriendliness or antagoni sin. Competition and co-operation are complements. "True , while competi tion may result in the serious sacri fice of a very few , it , nevertheless , operates simultaneously in the interest of a great many. Competition is the force which has ushered into being the present stage of human development. There may be a technical unfriendliness toward previous , crude and unwhole some or uncomfortable conditions , but the demands of humanity have made competition a necessity or supply. Wherever it has been most keen , thei e the progress of science , invention , and civilization has been most rapid. Com petition is an inspiration ennobled by the decree of necessity. Ideal compe tition contemplates a better article at the same price or as good an article at 'a lower price. The rendition of an in ferior service might be more properly termed in-competitiou. It is competi tion between the laws of supply and demand which determines the price of labor , and labor should come to a knowl edge of this fact. All the labor organ izations in the world cannot permanent ly raise the wage of labor to a point in excess of its natural value , neither is it i possible for the united trusts of the world to confer permanent , abnormal , value upon their manufactured product. Treating of co-operation , Mr. Wood suggests that "all possible failure must find its location in Co-operation. individual charac- er , " as a normal commercial transaction contemplates the presence of co-operation and competition , as a protection to the transactors. As an element of harmony , co-operation is as necessary in practical , commercial life , as a properly-tuned violin is , in an orchestra. Without competition , stag nancy is prevalent. The absence of co operation means the reign of confusion. The presence of both these necessary factors , results in harmonious and indus trious activity. The section entitled "Labor and Pro duction" is especially inspiring. It should be read and Labor and Production , studied by every wage worker. Labor is a normal condition ; idleness , abnormal. A compliance with natural law necessitates work. Labor is a means ; production an end. Production constitutes wealth. Labor is fcotfunuscu- lar and mental. A very terse and friend ly counsel is embodied in Mr. Wood's words "The with the , question wage- worker should not be , how few hours or how little exertion can I possibly get along with , but how much can I accom plish. " Society is divided into the dependent and the independent. Combinations of labor encourage dependence and dis courage individual Combinations , independence. In dividual and inde pendent effort is labor's greatest inspiration , and should be de veloped to the greatest possible degree. Such efforts produce wealth , which , ! n turn , increase the demand for greater skill , reacting favorably upon labor itself. Much interest , undoubtedly , will be manifested when Mr. Wood's comments upon" labor coin- Trade Unions. binations are more generally difiused. Ideal combination of labor is commend able and practical , while the actual is theoretical and faulty. The fundamen tal misapplication of the associative principle is treated in five topics which are worthy of thought and deep study. First. A spirit and temper , unfriend ly to capital , is being developed , whether consciously or unconsciously. Second. Such combinations militate against individual industry and toward combined dependency. Third. The freedom of action of the combining parties , is surrendered to irresponsible leaders. Fourth. They are tyrannical toward unorganized labor. Fifth. They tend toward coercive socialism. All combinations of labor or capital )
