Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-09-14
The unwisdom of Class Prejudice.

Among the important questions
which have been referred to the con-
ference of governors by various sec
lions and interests, is one by the Ma
tional Association of Manufacturers,
concerning lawlessness in labor dis
turbances. 1t Is Presented as mat
ter of serious menace to individual
and public welfare. resulting from the
riotous action of strikers and their
sympathizers, which often result in
wanton destruction of life and prop
erty, without hope of recompense or
adequate punishment for crimes COM
mitted as in a mob. The chief execu-
tives Of the great commemorative are
urged to use their influence i'll behalf
of efficient and adequate laws and to
consider the ACCESSIBILITY of bringing
this important subject before the next
legislatures in annual messages. This
question embodies the problem of con-
trolling the sale of high explosives,
their transfer, storage. etc. Reference
is made 10 the destruction of life and
property in the blowing up of the Los
Angeles Times building. Strong reso-
buttons are presented urging the legis-
latures of the various states to pass
laws looking to the safety of indi-
viduals and property and providing
severe penalties for the criminal use
of high explosives.
However strongly one may be preju-
diced III favor of the principles and the
necessities of labor unionism, he can
but admit the dangers and the tenden-
cy of an element in the ranks of la
Dor unions, which present a serious
problem for regulation and control
II behooves the leaders who voice the
needs of labor to encourage repres-
sion of lawless elements in their ranks.
just as much as is required of offi-
Gals of national and state govern
ments to recommend laws for the reg
ulation of the criminal tendencies of
all the people. 1t is to be regretted
that so many of the labor leaders
have taken the Superficial stand
which they at once voiced on the ar
rest of certain men connected with
the Federation of Labor charged With
conspiracy in the deplorable affair at
Los Angeles These leaders not only
declared at the outset that the out
rage was committed by someone in Los
Angeles with malicious intention to
fasten the crime upon union labor,
but they have steadily denounced the
methods, as adopted by detectives, to
secure the presence of the accused
union labor officials charged with in
s.igating the crime as contrary To
law and an outrage upon labor union
ism. In their apparent confidence in
the integrity of their brother officials
leading labor unionists have allowed
themselves to prejudice their own in
terests by inconsiderate abuse of those
government officials who, by hook or
crook, secured the presence of the suS-
pecteo criminals within the jurisdic-
lion of the court where they should
be tried on the charges preferred
The vitnperation INDUCED in by Ger
tain leaders, in their storm of protest,
has served TO kindle class bitterness
,and hatred in a deplorable degree.
On Boston common. the other day.
saccusatory charges were made against
the public as being prejudiced and
OF causing the arrest of the McNa-
maras through overwhelming public
sentiment. The truth of the matter is
that the public had little opinion in
the case until the NcNamaras were
arrested, and then formed its preju-
aices largely on the explosive procla-
nations that a labor leader can do
no wrong Ii theo McNamsras are
innocent and SO confident of being able
20 prove that they had neither hand
nor voice in executing the deed, OF
in suggesting the jnhunan thought,
their arrest seems to be the shortest
means BY which their characters may
be cleansed Of the stigma The peo-
pie of the United States have no de-
sire 20 see the innocent suffer for the
crimes of another. and they have no
prejudiees against any class that
would allow them to destroy one mans
character when there was possibil-
ity that another man of another class
vas guilty of the charge.
II seems to us to be folly on the
part of union leaders to put forth such
Il cry against the action of authori-
ties who are doing their best to bring
10 justice the perpetrators of one OF
the most horrible crimes ever com
mitted in this country. IL the labor