The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-08-05

There is little excuse for American
war munitions manufacturers to re-
fuse the demands of their laborers for
share in the stupendous profits that
are now being accumulated by these
prosperous concerns.
Labor has a right to its share of the
profits and will not be biuffed by the
insinuation that German agents are
behind the movement That the own
ers would resort to this subterfuge
was expected, and if they are so
penny-wise and pound-foolish as to
allow their works to be shut down be-
cause of blind greed it is labor's
right to stand pat, but there is not the
least likelihood that such a situation
will develop. Capital is only arro-
giant toward labor when there are poor
market conditions and an increasing
surplus of product. Whenever shut
down OF industries where skilled labor
is employed would cause a financial
loss TO the owners the managers of
the industries make a bluff and then
surrender. Labor should call the
bluff now because they have everyth-
ing in their favor; it is question OF
producing war supplies at the very top
limit of speed and disposing of it
quickly, because the wars duration
NAV come to a sudden end at any
time.
There is a crying necessity for all
war supplies to be manufactured by
the Government itself and it is to
be hoped that steps toward this end
will be taken in the near future. This
dscff hffor far-
tor and silence an element in our
life who regard war sentiment as a
business asset and have no thought OF
the country's best interests where
their profits are concerned.
The present conhagration in Europe
has had strong support from the war
munition manufacturers on that side
of the Atlantic who have carried on
.sytematic campaigns of agitation and
race hatred, the Krupps of Germany
being the most conspicuous example.
AS long as war supply manufacture
ers have influence in government
there is no guarantee to the public
that our preparations for war will be
carried forward with the view of OBJ
tanning the best defenses because very
often the ships and supplies that offer
the best profit to the manufacturers
are obsolete. War itself is in a rap
idly changing state of evolution and
from present indications all present
navies and land defenses will be dis
carded at the close of the present
European conflict.
Labor organization has progressed
-. he &arn oftf
is in such a state of material strength
that it Is able to whether the storms
of business adversely which in the pasi
brought disorganization through
bankruptcy. But the present n5tiona
administration has done much towarC
lending organized labor moral suppor
and the fact that labor is officially rec
ognized has been great help. The
national administrations that we have
had since the civil war up until the ad
ministration OF Woodrow Wilson
have been hostile to organized laboi
and in many instances openly so.
Organized labor is in a strong posi-
tion-when it is not represented il
the government there is a tendenc,
among the people to think that it i
not of sufficient strength to gain rec
ognition.
But all friends Of organized labo
should always be alert and militan
because the men who control TIL
great bulk of our industries are eithe
frankly hostile or secretly oppose,
to any gain in strength or recognition
During the Mulhall scandal peopl
who read the devious happenings ha
-, ~.
timents concerning business and la
bor American business men are i'm
bued with the idea that capitalists ar
in a higher class and should be les
accountable. for their crimes than 9th
er people but there is even now
noticeable improvement in busines
morality. When Henry Ford volur
tarily increased wages and adopte
the eight-hour day there was a wav
of indignation swept over the capita
lists Of the country who were amaze
to think that one OF their own numbe
should turn traitor to his class, q
one Of large employer in the Ea.
termed him. But such men as For
( do not recognize classes. He has ii
true idea of enlightened self-intere!
and has no doubt gained material
bv the new policy towards his me
When the material benefits Of his e,
ample are seen there will be man
voluntary changes in the policies
large competitive enterprises who wi
adopt the Ford method. But the owl
ers of the large monopolies, who hay
slinned the public so long without b
ing called to account will no doul
have to be handled roughly becaui
there is no other sort Of action tn
can appeal to men who are moral
stuitihed.
If John K. Lawson is forced
serve indefinitely the sentence impo
ed upon him BY corrupt and subse