The Washington times., 1911-09-25
CITIZENS MUST AID
|. ADVANCE OF LABOR,
SAYS Mr.. MUNSEY
Should Not Fight Solution
of Reorganization Prob
lem, He Declares.

Mr. Frank A. Munsey was interviewed
In London by a representative OF the
Evening Standard and the st. James
Gazette regarding he situation In the
labor world, and the article printed In
those newspapers follows:
The recent upheaval in the labor
world has attracted the attention CT
thoughtful people in other countries,
who have contrasted the conditions pre-
vailingA there with those attaching to
British industries.
As 1t is well at times to see ourselves
as others see US, the opinions of visitors
from distant countries have especial in
terest at this juncture. Mr.. FRANK
Munsey, the yell-known American pub
Usher, who is at present on visit to
London, has definite views on the re-
organizing process that is going on all
over the world.
1T has to be met" he said, land the
better way to meet II Is not for sub
stantial citizens to stand off and fight
1t and condemn 1t, but rather to get in
and become part Of It and shape II
right
This reformation that is going on IL
deavor in the thought world. the educa-
tional world, and even the religious
world. Everything everywhere Is being
reformed on new lines, new theories. and
new conclusions. We can never settle
the labor problem before getting into
II. We have got to go through with II,
and prices Of labor must of necessity
be readjusted TO meet the higher cost
and better conditions of living today.
Mistakes of Labor.
The old standards of living are not
only yielding to better standards IN
the upper levels of life. but in the
various levels below as well. This
reimbursement OF the wage scale of la
Dor can only be brought about by la
Dor unions. and while the latter will.
In the very nature of the case, make
mistakes. and in the flush of victory
and power go too far-much too far
in many cases-yet the result in the
end will be an uplifting of labor and
the general citizenship of the nation.
7 he standards worth while in a ma
ton are the standards of the average
citizenship. not the standards of the
few.
"England must go through this re-
organization not only in it's labor
problems but in all the other prob
lens clamoring for moderization-go
through them as we are going
through them IN the United States.
and as other countries all over the
world are going through them. To
stand aloof and oppose this progress
Is to be an enemy to the inevitable
results.
Best Type of Citizen.
ITO my mind the best citizen. the
best patriot, is the man who makes
himself a part of progress that he
may influence It in the right direc-
ton. rather than the man who con-
cedes nothing and stands to the bit
ter end for what is or what has been.
There is no standing still in any phase
of life. and this Is as true of nations
as anything else. 1t Is either prog
ress, retrogression. or death.
England, buttressed by traditions
reaching far back into history. has a
more difficult problem in this question
OF reorganization than We have in the
United States, or any other countries
have. On the other hand. England has
an immense advantage over us in her
compact area. Here life is a neigh
borhood. In America. with It's vast
stretch Of 1900 miles under one flag, cur
interests are so varied and the diff
cuIties so numerous that legislation,
reorganization, and control are collaSal
problems.
Optimistic As to Future.
THAT we in the United States shall
solve these problems and have a better
government and a more prosperous and
happy people is certainty to my mind,
and IL is equally clear to me that you
In England will go through with these
changes successfully and trlumphantly,
and it may well be that you will arrive,
by reason of your compact, closely
knit together population. at salsfac-
Il. Il
The main fact, however, Is that in
this day OF intelligence and education
and honesty OF purpose. We shall find
ourselves on a better level Of life than
the world has hitherto known. This Is
optimism, and optimism Is the only
thing that makes for progress"
Mo.u Nofoh1o Euor1fc