Omaha daily bee., 1915-12-16
d5e BeeS&
sGeMeS8oatf
Jerry Howard on Labor.

pilgrimage to the stock yards and pack
ing houses. Possibly Il was a coincidence
that twenty-one OF Mr.. Armours super
intendents. under the command OF the
beef trusts political field marshal. John
OHern, was there to receive them These
emminent men gave timely notice through
the press and otherwise Of their prear-
ranged visit, probably to forewarn the
management to have everything in order
so that an elaborate report could be made
to spread broadcast to a credulous public,
Notwithstanding that the report was more
than likely written before the tour was
undertaken.
What was the object of these nabobs'
mission ?-selfishnes and commercialism.
Commerclallsm Is as ruinous to America
as militarism is 10 Europe. I cannot per-
ceive nor comprehend wherein society was
benefited by these noted men lending the
dignity of their presence at the stock
yards and packing houses.
The industrial unrest. not commercial
ism, is the greatest problem that con-
fronts the nation nowadays. notwith-
standing that the president and his
kitchen cabinet. the politicians and the
munition manufacturers say prepared
ness and the hyphenated Americans is
that the labor question is the paramount
issue and the captains of industry and
their servile tools whether located in the
city hall or elsewhere. cannot evade the
question.
Frank p. Walsh, chairman OF the Fed
eral Commission on Industrial Relations,
and Commissioners John b. Lennon.
James O'Connell and Austin b. Garrett
son. as a result Of their two-year inves-
tlgation into the subject say low wages
was found to be the fundamental cause
OF Industrial unrest.
The shame of West Virginia, the horror
Of Colorado. the outrages Of Michigan, the
war in Europe and the massacre at
Homestead is insignificant in comparison
| to the ''serfdom' Of the oppressed and
prosecuted employees in the institutions
| that tho benevolent nabobs of our city
! visited last Thursday. I wonder did any
one of these highly distinguished visitors
inquire or question the management OF
| the establishments about the rate of
wages they were paying their unfortunate
| employees? There are men and women
working ay, shaving in these degrading
| industries whose pay does not average s.
per week. and I know whereof speak.
II there is any person who doubts my
| statement. let him procure a copy of the
| House Journal of the 1918 session of the
Legislature, and read the horrible report
of the Loucey investigation.
What is society doing towards the up
! lift Of the producers OF the wealth of the
nation who are through compulsory and
oppressive methods. both legal and IL
legal. denied the full product of their toll.
| The Four Hundred Of swelldom will give
charity balls and enjoy themselves dane
| ing in the name of sweet Christian char
| ity. Likewise the woman's club will give
play written by Oscar Wilde to raise
| money for soup.
The labor class are opposed 60 charity
| In any shape or form. They believe II,
their hired men, the government. can APP
propriate money to increase the army and
navy, Why not appropriate money TO re-
claim the Idle lands. thereby giving en-
ployment to the unemployed.
The only salvation of the labor class
is through education. agitation. organi-
cation and an upright intelligent use OF
that great weapon. the ballot The news
paper publishers. the school teachers. the
labor unions and the woman's suffrage
movement has advanced the labor cause
considerably. JERRY HOWARD.
How 10 Abolish War.
ST. MARY, Neb., Dec. Ito the
Editor of The Bee: Preparedness and
war being the topic of the day. various
opinions are expressed, but all agree or
one thing and that is that the laboring
and producing class Chose whose bones
are supposed to be left to bleach on the
battlefield) are all tired and Disguised
with the destruction and suffering caused
by war, and that only those who are
profitinR in dollars or hoping thereby
| To gain notoriety and fame and wht
never expect to get within smelling dis
lance OF gunpowder are in favor OF war
This being the sentiment OF the people
why not abolish war? But you are i'm
medietely asked: How are we goins q
do TT
1 would suggest to let the people say
whether or not TO engage in aggressive
war; There must be an aggressive be
fore there can possibly be a defensive.
II Il were left to a vote of the people
now 1 doubt that 10 per cent would b.
In favor of an aggressive war on an!
nation. and yet we are in daily fear tina
war will be declared against some for
elgn nation. Why3 Because we haV
delegated the war-making power to
few, a handful of congressman. poWe
we should have retained ourselves.
The people being in favor OF peace
why not make other nations fai
proposition for peace, 1t is certainl'
worth the effort. Many say they woul'
be In favor Of disarmament. which woul'
insure peace, but that they are afrai
Of the other fellows lest they attaei
us II they saw a favorable chance. How
do we know that those other fellows don
feel Just as we do, and are in favor o
preparedness for the same reason. w
have not asked them, have we?
This government Is In a position nov
10 make the proposition for universe
peace. suppose we were to say to tn
other nations. I'VE are ready to extern
10 you our hand OF brotherly love an
fellowship; We will gradually reduce gu
army and navy and warning efficiency
you win do the same" How do we knoN
) they would not hail the offer with dc
light and be ever thankful to US 70
having given them the opportunity
show their good will toward US. VIII
not make the proposal7 II they refus
70 accept our offer 20 beat the sword
into plow-shares and spears into prunin
hooks. there will yet be ample time 70