The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1916-06-16
Some Labor Lessons
From Germany
Frederic c. Howe, in Pearson's
Magazine

Magazine
Some years ago | was dining in the
rathskeller in the basement of beau
tlful old Rathaus of Frankfort. The
kellner who served me had an indie
pendent air, in striking contrast to the
other walters. When removing my
plates he inquired: From New York,
sir?"
Yes" replied; you ,too?"
Il did live in America for a number
of years." he replied. 81 am a ma
chinist; was educated in Frankfort,
went to America and worked in Pitts
burgh, Cleveland and Chicago. But
year ago l returned to Germany
with my family, and expect to remain
here the rest of my life"
He was sturdy, self-reliant kind
of man; just the sort I would ex-
pect to succeed in his trade in the
United States.
why" I asked, did you leave
American"
"Oh, l liked the experience we'll
enough" he replied. 81 enjoyed the
freedom and the higher wages that 1
got. But I was married; | had two
children, and looking ahead, and think
ing it all over, l decided to return to
Germany. I am only temporarily en-
ployed in this place, owing to the
fact that the machine shops where
work are shut down. A man does get
more wages in America; he does have
freedom; there are opportunities for
advancement. | liked all those things,
and that is what attracted me to
America. But two years ago, in Pitts
burgh, l was locked out by one ma
chine shop, then there was a period
of hard times in which I worked a
few months out of the year; later l
was injured in the factory, and, while
it was the company's fault, could
bills ate up all of my savings, and no
matter how hard | worked never had
anything saved up at the end of the
year."
"Still, you might have become a
foreman or a boss" I replied.
eyes, l might have, but there was
only one chance in a thousand that
would and there were ten chances to
one that something would happen to
me that l might be supported by pub
lie charity in my old age, or that any
one of dozen misfortunes might
happen to me or my family.
Anyhow, returned to Germany be-
cause it seemed to me that, all things
considered, l was better off here than
in America. You see, Germany does
look after the workingman, just as
Z Rule Internationalism. ny
i HAS not war done much good, ar
i been necessary, at times?" he W!
], asked.
], q don't see it. The application
Tie SOlutu Iulc WOulu UNIV
1 thousand times more good, and dor
it quicker, in every instance" reptile
1 the minister.
1 Does not the competitive syste
9, breed strife and war;" some one ell
4 wanted to know.
81 agree with YOU" he answered.
believe the war was caused largely
4 desire for commercial gain. I told n
1 sunday school class so this morning
Another question hurled at DR.. Fri'
was whether the application of Il
golden rule meant the admission
/ Japanese and other Orientals in
r America The speaker said:
"A good Jap is as good as a go
4" American. The strong must lift t
weak. The illiterate are not illitera
r. because they want to be. We mu
/" break down every barrier between
IT, and true democracy. We should ha
+ free trade There is no tariff betwe
I California and Maine"
+ DR.. Prick said he thanked God
I the refusal of young men of the
/ ton to enlist in the army and nav
/ The Call