Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-09-20
UNIVERSALLABOR
UNION CERTAIN,
SAYS FORBES
Cites Dire Possibilities of World
Strike as Warning to Give
Workers Just Rewards.
BY 3. c. FORBES.

BY 3. c. FORBES.
The men who sweat to do the
worlds work don't get enough out
Of It
THE OVERHEAD CHARGE IS
TERRIFIC.
TT can't last"
These terse statements were MAIDS
to me- not by laborer. but by the
wealthy head of banking firm,
thinker.
When l was travelling in Europe
this summer it was borne in upon
me that one of the world shaking
movements of the not distant fu-
ture will be an international organ
iZatton of workmen embracing mil
lions OF members who will be under
one central board clothed with the
power to call national and inter-
national strikes.
We may not like the prospect
don't. We may try to convince our
selves that differences of race. differ
ences Of language, differences of con-
ditions and differences of ideals, COM
bined with jealousies and rivalries
among leaders, will prevent co-opera-
ton and harmony between the work.
ers of one country and the workers of
another. and that no questions could
ay3. i. 1.
bers in all lands to strike at one
time. My impression is that the
tendency is strongly and surely
toward q gigantic alliance of the ma
ture outlined. Glow long it will last
is another question:
Have you been reading the fresh
labor troubles in Ireland and Eng
land? Because one company in Dub
lin would not discharge three non
union workers, thousands came OUT
and Immediately transport workers
in various parts of England struck
in sympathy. The latest cables talk
of general strike" throughout Eng
land, and the word starvation" again
figures in the news. as it did so often
during the British strikes last year
From general strike in one coun-
try TO an International strike is not
80 very far cry-we had a taste Of
it. you will remember, when the dock
workers struck in leading ports of
England, Scotland and Continental
Europe not so Ions ago.
This phase of the worlds trend
calls for serious thought. The sub
ject is not pleasant. of course. But
to shut our eyes 10 it will not help
aid. / am convinced beyond a shadow
of doubt that the movement is on
the way.
What is TO be done about it7
Are the bankers statements true?
Do workers get too scanty a share Of
what they produce? Is what my
friend called the overhead charge"
too heavy? Must the present ar
rangement be changed? Can it not
last?
The phrase overhead charge"
startles Does it not conjure up
visions of a mass of struggling work
ers and a whole galaxy of we'll
dressed, high collared, opulent gen
tlemen, enjoying the fruit of the
workers industry, living in fine
houses, sporting every luxury and
their women folk reveling in vain
eXtravagances?
l have no panacea for the worlds
ills l do not believe the gradual
drawing together of the worlds work.
ers can be prevented.
But l do believe the overhead
charge" can and must be reduced. l
do believe the gap between employ
ers and employed must be lessened.
Labor must be given an interest in
the welfare of capitals certain
large American corporations have
realized and have acted accordingly.
Expensive figureheads must go.
Colossal Individual fortunes will not
be untouched on the death Of their
owners.
Personally l have great faith in
the efficacy of inducing workers and
others to become investors, no mat
ter on how small a scale. Enable a
man or woman to save a few hundred
dollars and let the money be invested
in securities and see what a sober
ing effect 1t will have upon senti-
ments previously revolutionary. One
hundred dollars saved by thrift is
more conducive to worthy manhood
than the prospect of a thousand dol
lars from a national pension fund.
Remove every possible cause Of
discomfort among workers, give
them an incentive to render the best
service that is in them, treat them
as human beings, and not as ma
chimes. and remember always that
their vote counts as much as the
ulti-millionaire's Do this. and al
though we may not hope to stop the
international banding together OF
labor unions into one vast confed-
Grafton under a commander-in-ch iei