The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-11-18
TINE FOR SERIOUS THOUGHT
WHAT THE SOCIALISTS ARE
DOING.

The unusual conditions produced by
the great war have given this country
q momentary period of excessive pros
perity. It is also period of excessive
disquietude. The prices of some of
have gone ZIP by leaps and bounds.
The threatened rise in bread prices
has lead to the demand for a federal
investigation into the reasons for such
action, and local Investigations on the
matter have already been begun.
Strikes and lockouts, in some in
stances, have been the order of the
day. ~The garment workers, turned
out of the shops by their employers
in the metropolis, after stubborn
struggle forced the latter to return to
the orderly regime of the protocol.
the iron ore workers hearkened to
the appeal of the Industrial Workers
of the World and threw down their
tools The machinists and longshore-
men won victories without much effort,
as the time was opportune for them.
Milk wagon drivers and ice men in the
summer months demanded changes,
and by their strikes seriously incon-
venienced many cities. The traction
employees in several places have made
moves for better conditions, culminat
ing in the strike in New York, which
threatened several times to assume
enormous proportions. The huge rail
road difficulty sent chill of fear
through all classes of the people. The
workers have determined to take adj
vantage of the present situation to-
get what they can out of the profits
which are being made and to try to
keep pace with the higher cost of liV-
ing.
These conditions certainly demand
serious study on the part of all our
citizens. They are artificial and I'M
stable, and unless properly directed
are likely to lead to severely evil con-
sequences when the reaction from the
flush times comes. This has been
pointed out several times before. The
leaders of public thought throughout
the country are beginning to call at
tention to it, and to warn the people
of the necessity of preparing for the
change which is sure to come on the
cessation of European hostilities. In
the economic history of the United
States there have been recurrent sea-
sons of high prices and strikes and
resultant high wages; but there has
never been a period of such uncertain
factors as at the present time. The
war has, in fact, produced an abnormal
condition that is of the most I'M
measurable character.
In the United States, as in other
countries, the radical elements are
determined to take advantage of this |
situation The Socialists are already |
busy at work In the New York Call |
of october /, the wonderful growth |
of the party in this country, from
$4,000 votes i'm 1900 to 100000 votes |
in 1912 is shown, and predictions are
made for a greater harvest in the
coming campaign. The single tax
ers are also not idle. In California |
they are selling the opportunity which
tItc ICpOlCo VI IhO OIobO a "a NOhdh1Ao-
sion and the Commission on Immigra-
ton and Housing have given them to
drive home their ideas, and to take
part in the agitation for land reform.
In number of cities where the pTes1l
ent unjust system of taxation is caus-
ing uneasiness, they are seeking to get
in their entering wedge. Their cease
less propaganda would almost put the
forces OF conservative progress to
shame. tf5
Catholics must take example from
them, and concern themselves with
the present condition which confronts
this country. They must set them
selves determinedly to the task of
studying the problems of their COM
and of the nation as whole,
and of entering upon the solution of
these problemsp according to the
proper standards The Fall season
offers an excellent opportunity to be-
gin this form Of endeayor. Study
clubs on social and economic topics
can be established. The variousI
Catholic associations and federationsI
can take UP their work with renewed
Vigor and push it forward with zest
and energy. This is what is neces-
sary at the present. The time for
serious thought followed by vigorous
at hand