which kept his mind on some phase of the labor
question. He looked carefully at various experi-
ments to keep the peace between employer and em-
ployed: experiments which we now call "Welfare
Institutions." These usually begin with the initia-
tive of the employer, securing as far as possible the
active coöperation of the wage-earners. Baldwin
expressed much sympathy with the "welfare work,"
because it assumed the coöperation and common
interest of both parties. It pleased him because it
brought employers and men together in orderly ways
that meant a broader education for both; but against
one feature of the work he conceived something like
indignation. He found so many employers who
seemed to be "playing with these philanthropies"
for the sole purpose of destroying labor organization.
"If they want to fight trade-unions," he said, "that
is their privilege; but let them do it openly and not
in the guise of baths, gymnasiums, cheap lunches,
entertainments, or profit-sharing."

He did not believe the men ever were deceived
by these agencies. They were the first to see through
the employer, if he was displaying these institutions,
while secretly, the weakening of the trade-union was
the real motive. He knew that many employers were
straight and honest in their desire to organize this
welfare work for its own sake, and he believed the
men could in the main be trusted to find this out,
and would so far stand by the employer's efforts.

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