The Washington herald., 1914-12-06

Federation OF Labor. demonstrated to
the socialists and other radicals who de-
manded legislative Cure-alls through the
agency of the ballot, that such laws
would really restrict the liberty OF labor,
and take away much OF its present power
to act economically.
This is the one basic difference between
the trades unions and socialism. The
trades unions believe in economic action
to secure their rights under a free and
democratic government; they demand
nonpartisanship iua politics, and seek
nothing but just laws and a fair chance
to work out the problems Of capital and
labor in accordance with economic con-
ditions and the natural laws of supply
and demand. The socialists, on the other
hand, believe that nothing but political
action. and the abolishment Of produc-
tive capital and the establishment of a
political monopoly TO CAntrol all produc-
ton and distribution under a govern
ment trust, can better the conditions of
labor
This argument has gone on between Ia
Dor and socialism since Karl Marx, in
lS4S gave to the world his theory of
economy, but il is significant that after
sixty-five years of socialistic argument.
during which socialism has always
claimed to be the only hope of the work
er. younger organization, the American
Federation of Labor, organized and con-
trolled by men who believe in free in
dustry instead of State monopoly. has
gained the support of the greatest num-
ber of workers, and lifted labor to the
highest plane in public opinion that it
has ever held. Mr.. Gompers, in arguing
with Morris Hillquit. the noted socialist,
before the Federal Industrial Relations
Commission at New York, last spring,
charged that socialism had done more
to prejudice the cause Of labor than any
other influence in recent years. and at the
recent convention. Mr.. Gomper's policies
anu his fair and eloquent stand for in
dustriaI liberty as opposed to legislative
restriction, was triumphantly vindicated.
as every one knows.
Suffrage and Anti-SunraEe.
Though it is not so well known. the
basic difference between the suffragists
and anti-suffragists is founded on the
same sort of disagreement as exists be-
tween labor and socialism. The suffragists
claim that women are slaves" and pow
erless parasites unless they get into poll
tics, and seek every improvement they
desire in industrial and social status
through the agency of the ballot The
anti-suffragists. on the other hand point
out that wOman's greatest power is
SOSldl, moral, ana economic, instead OF
political, and prove this contention by
the record of suffrage States, and the
census facts and figures that demonstrate
political action a loss instead OF a gain
to woman's power.
AS far as the suffragists are concern
ed, they have no other argument to ad-
vance, and this argument is founded on
theory that has proved false in many
instances. The sole reason suffragists
ri 20 falr
up new political duties is the theory that
it will benefit women more readily than
social and economic action without the
ballot Against this, the antis ask all
fair-minded people to look at the condi-
tiOns, especially the labor conditions that
were brought about in Colorado, condi-
tions that even Mother" Jones. the
miners idol, who was in Colorado
throughout the strike, lays at the door
of political corruption and inefficient State
government and especially mentions
woman suffrage as a contributing cause
No matter how much we seek to take
the blame to ''26 Broadway" and say the
corporations were responsible, it was
the Colorado militia, not the operators
in New York, who fired upon women and
children at Ludlow, and how and why
this Colorado militia came to be under
the orders Of Eastern capitalists, and
against the interests of the very people
they were sent to protect in their lives
and property Is a question strictly up
to the State Of Colorado TO answer. And
public opinion throughout the whole
United States has compelled that State
to answer for its failure as a State gov
ernment, after twenty-one years of
woman suffrage
The women were in politics in Colorado,
and Colorado politics were worse than
anywhere else in the union. Is there
any escape from the conclusion that when
the whole population is engaged in po-
htical action the forces that can cor
rupt politics and control political action
are more at liberty to disregard the rights
OF the whole people than they are where
public opinion and discussion of an in
dependent and nonpartisan plane at least
limit the extent OF political control. Also,
labor men and women will recall that
the hop field riots of California. and
the conditions Of women in industry that
were complained OF the Federal Indus
trial Relations Commission at Los An
geles have not been Duplicated else
where in the country in any male suffrage
State.
Women Workers.
The women workers of the United
States have every right that the men
workers have, and too important prIvi.
leges besides, granted to them because
they are women. These two important
privileges AreI Eirst, the remedial and