The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-08-26

the enforcement of the Seamen's Act
their insincerity of purpose becomes
more and more transparent, as the
evidence accumulates.
Had there been an enforcement OF
the act promptly upon its. passage, in
stead of allowing a long lapse of time,
always weak policy in connection
with people who have no regard for
public rights, there would have been
no Eastland disaster. 1t was due to
carelessness and greed of those who
owned and controlled the company
and dictated its policies. The Steamer
was not up to Government speciica-
tons and there was no inspection
worthy of the name.
But bad as was the disaster, it came
at time when there was great hull
laballoo by the crooks of big business
for the repeal of just measure and
the disasaterwill be of benefit in call
ing the attention of the whole country
to the hypocracy of the owners and
their newspaper agents who circular
ize the country with bunk" threats
of withdrawal OF all American ships
from operation under the flag of this
nation; sweeping the commerce of
America from the high seas" and
other nonsense.
The commerce of America has al
ways been carried in foreign ships and
it was already off the high seas. In
the Pacific Mail Steamship Company
and the Robert Dollar lines, they sim
ply transferred their flags at the be-
ginning of the European war for pro-
lection under a neutral flag of the
commerce in food stalffs and war
material. 1t was a shrewd piece OF
business for the companies to do this
and their bluff" has also elements OF
wisdom, considering the fact that any
reactionary newspaper can be depend
ed upon to print their circulars as
news accounts but the latter are too
coarse in their pleas to stand any
sort of investigation.
The Eastland disaster will keep the
Seaman's Act on the books and will
be the cause of universal demand
for its enforcement, when Congress
meets at the regular session and the
facts are all brought to light
THE LAWSON CASE
Readers of the Gem Worker will nc
doubt remember that | made a predic-
ton that John r. Lawson would get
a new hearing and that he would be
released and ultimately acquitted
through outside sympatt
The Idaho Statesman contains the
news of the Colorado State Supreme
COURTS action in granting a writ, ad-
mitting release to Lawson on bail anc
barring the notorious Hillyer from
trying strike cases.
1t is positively certain that the wide
discussion of the case and the accun'~
lating evidence that was bound t.
eorne out against the Rockefellers ant
their servants has made the latter see
the folly of carrying this line of attack
against labor any further in Colorado
at the present juncture because of the
increasing sentiment against the
Plunderbund owners of Colorado
who will now turn back to reform
their lines for another campaign
against labor, more secret and will
more determination than ever.
But labor has won a signal victory
on two different points and Lawson
will 90 scott free and be vindicatet
ultimately Organized labor is now
on stronger fortified lines than it ha!
yet occupied previously in Colorado
and the incident has been a great edu
Gator to the general public in mono
polistic methods.
But If corrupt political campaign,
are successful and reactionaries arr
elected to the state legislatures ant
executive Offices of Colorado thi
Plunderbund will again press hom,
their fight against laborat the mex
crisis between labor and the employ
ing class. It is only thru politica
control that the monopolistis gain
foothoid in Colorado and it will onl,
be thru the same method that the,
can keep i.
BUSINESS AND MONOPOLY
American monopoIists always gaii
their original investments and title
bv fraud, and this makes necessary
continued control of public servants
in order to hold up the market pric
of securities held by owners of mono
poles.
The railroads, mining kings an,
public service multi-inillionaires in al
activities based upon natural right
in land and patent privileges hav
succeeded in taking into partnership
thousands of investors of both larg
and small means and these peopi
have joined hands with the monopoI
les IN their oppression Of the genera
public by givin moral support TO til
continuance Of criminal methods be
cause It is individually and collective
III profitable TO themselves.
When business as a whole follow
the lead Of a small band of mouopol
lists in their effort to seize the re
sources Of the country and repeat