Oh! I
cannot comprehend it, and yet the record tells us there were cases of just
that nature, where such people, without lifting a finger to alleviate the
distress, actually laughed and were happy. Happy! What could they know of
happiness? The word must have changed its meaning wonderfully, if we think
of what it signifies to-day."
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE INDUSTRIAL PROBLEM.
Thorwald continued as follows:
"The unpleasant relations existing between the employers and the employees
created a host of troubles. It was an unreasonable feeling, because the
interests of the two classes were identical. But as capital was
consolidated and great corporations were formed for extensive operations
in transportation and manufacturing, the relation between the two became
very impersonal and difficult to control. In order to protect their
interests the wage-earners organized into unions, brotherhoods, etc.,
almost every trade and calling having its own organization.
"When these associations were first formed much stress was laid upon their
incidental benefits, such as assistance in time of sickness, care of the
families of deceased members, the holding of meetings for discussion and
mutual improvement, and the establishment of reading-rooms and libraries.
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