MR. BULL'S SPEECH.Henry Adsit Bull '95, was the third speaker for Harvard. He showed himself ready in exposing the weak points of his opponents' arguments. His speech was not free from monotony, but his matter was solid and he at times made his point cogently. He spoke in brief as follows:
Great organizations of capital, by buying up all the machines, force the workmen to come together for employment,. Abuses exist simply because there is an eternal contest between the employers and employees. The placing of irresponsible power in the hands of organizations of capitalists is certainly very unwise, for no one can hold irresponsible power without danger to the interests of others. It is impossible for an employer to deal with his employees individually and have his influence felt by all the men in his employ. It is a physical impossibility for a man to discuss a question with every man in his works, and to hear their feelings upon the subject; therefore, if the real opinion of the employees is to be got at, it is necessary for them to combine, and choose representatives to lay their views before their employer.
MR. C. G. CLARKE'S SPEECH.Clement George Clarke '95, the third speaker for Yale, was earnest and energetic. He was inclined, however, to go so hurriedly in his argument as to leave his audience behind. But when followed closely he was seen to have the matter well in hand. Mr. Clarke' showed that the delegation of power to the representatives of the national associations introduced a third party who could not freely understand either side of the dispute. These were the organizations to be ignored. The claim of the affirmative speakers that such organizations were necessary before there could be any arbitration did not rest on facts. Inquiry into the character of the associations proved that they lack conservatism and discreet leadership, as seen in the case of the Chicago strikes under the guidance of Debs. The sympathetic strikes that were ordered by such leaders necessitated breach of trusts. Laborers could not appreciate on how small a margin most business is conducted. In their opposition to the monopoly of capital they form a monopoly of labor which keeps honest men out of work.
THE REBUTTALS.H. A. Bull spoke in rebuttal for Harvard. He said that the claim of the affirmative was simply that the representatives of the working men should have a hearing, not that their demands should necessarily be granted. The friendly meeting of employers and the representatives of employees would have an educatory influence on the latter that would ensure mutual understanding and destroy the influence of demagogues. Arbitration was impossible unless there were persons capable of treating in behalf of the employees.
E. M. Long gave the rebuttal for Yale. He said that over 18,000,000 workingmen out of 20,000,000 were outside of labor organizations and yet the strikes which make the most trouble were caused by the few who were organized. Employers wanted men who were independent. Labor organizations demanded the right to say how capital should be invested and what rate of wages should be paid, without regard to the law of supply and demand. If organization should become universal the strikes that now affect a few would cause universal distress.
THE BANQUET.After the debate a banquet was held at the Colonial Club. At this there were present: Ex-Governor Long, Bishop Lawrence, Professor Dewey, Dean Briggs, Professor Hart, Professor Cummings, Mr. Hayes, Mr. Baker, the Yale speakers, the Harvard speakers, President Baldwin of the Yale Union, President Adair of the Yale Kent Club; C. A. Duniway Gr., A. P. Stone L. S., A. S. Apsey L. S., and E. H. Warren '95, who have spoken in former Yale debates; J. P. Warren '96, S. E. Johnson '95, and R. C. Davis '97, of the Harvard Union; F. C. Thwaits L. S., E. S. Page '95, D. King '95, and L. W. Mott '96, of the Wendell Phillips Club.
Toasts were responded to by Bishop Lawrence, Professor Dewey, Professor Hart, Mr. Hayes, Mr. Baker, Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Duniway.