The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-06-10
War Drains Ranks Of Workers and
Industrial Plants are Hampered
in Keeping Up Normal
Production
ACUTE PROBLEM
IS PRESENTED
British Expert on Witt to This
Country Discusses Situation;
Declares there i No
Chance for Prohibition
BY LOWELL MELLETT.

BY LOWELL MELLETT.
Omitted Press Staff Correspondent
Washington, June 1O.The disloca-
ton Of labor Is the biggest problem
England has on her hands next to i
successful conclusion OF the war, and
even now the labor situation is receiy-
ing nearly as much attention from the
newspapers and thoughtful public OF
England as the war"
| This sentence is the summary OF a
long interview with Bruno I4asker or
York, England, author OF several works
on labor problems, who is now In this
country making study Of the ques-
tions of industrial efficiency and pub
lie works for B. Seebohln Rowntree.
tMr. Lasker Is the confidential secre-
tary Of Mr.. Rowntree and the latter Id
a very close personal friend and ad-
visor OF Chancellor OF the ExChequer
Lloyd-George Thus it will be seen
that Mr. Lasker can speak with con-
siderable certainty Of the labor situa-
tion in England Today and OF the atti-
tude and purposes OF the liberal gov
ernment with regard to the LABOR prob
lem. Mr. Lasker and Mr.. Rowntree
were among economists and social re-
formers who recently won distinction
in England for their work on the land
inquiry commission OF the Liberal
party, This commission has publish.
ed the most extensive and scientific
study Of the questions Of land tenancy,
housing conditions and rural labor
problems ever put forth.
As result of the recommendation
made by this commission the govern
ment was engaged In drafting legisla-
tion which it was about to submit to
parliament when the war broke out.
and which, Mr. Lasker said, will very
likely be presented as soon as possible
at the conclusion OF the war. But while
looking to those measures for sub
stantial improvements, those gentle-
men see the increased complication
of the labor problem which will i'm
mediately be felt when the war is over
and they are far-sighted enough to be.
gin now to study the question OF what
shall be done in England when peace
has been declared.
"You must not be surprised il you
see indications Of what may seem to
you lack Of patriotism among the
British laboring men over this war
said Mr.. Lasker "They realize pretty
thoroughly that the employing class Is
the only class that can possibly bene-
fit by the war and that the burden OF
hardships are falling. and will continue
to fall on them. Peace propaganda
has been carried on In England fos
many years and it was only last sum
mer that the Labor party conducted
an educational campaign against arm
aments. Well, some Of this education
has stuck, and the result Is what Is
called the unpatriotic attitude Of labor
in England today"
Asked about the prohibition ques-
tion in England Mr.. Lasker said:
There is not the slightest chance
Of compulsory total prohibition. There
is nothing like the amount Of prohibi-
ton sentiment at home that find III
sour country and what is more to the
point, the British workers certainly re-.
sent the idea Of prohibition as being
aimed directly against their freedom
of action. They understand clearly
enough that the well-to-do classes are
not likely to be effected BY any prohi-
bition, or at least temperance, before
any sweeping liquor statute is passed.
"But apparently the public and the
press Of your country do not grasp
the fact that there is an actual iearth
Tor laoor in England today. l have re-
ports from all sections OF England
telling Of the insufficienoy Of labor.
The war is rapidly draining labor. and
| ESPECIALLY skilled labor. from the coun-
l