The sun., 1916-10-08
BRITISH LABOR AIMS
RESENTED BY PRESS
Newspapers Sec Danger in De-
cisiOn to Push Claims When
War Is Over.
PROTECTIONIsTS HOPE
Declare Congress Voted for
Principle Of Modification
Of Free TRADE.
Special Correspondence 10 Tns sen.

LONDON. Sept. 1.-THE most impor-
a n Trade UNION Congress In the his
tory of Great Britain. which recently
met at birmingham. was important or
account OF the number of organizations
represented and the grave subjects
which were or the programme for de-
bate, but the results accomplished are
Of minor interest.
The Lord Mayor Of Birmingham. Me-
VILE Chamberlain. n son OF the cele-
brated statesman, acting as the city's
official host, greeted the delegates In a
speech which pleased the labor men
and drew from them enthusiastic APP
plause-applause which was echoed by
all important sections Of the press.
Harry Gosling. president OF the con-
gress, opened the weeks business with
an address which won high approval.
While standing up boldly for the class
III represents he avoided those incite-
ments TO war between labor and capital
with which many past congresses have
made the public familiar. and took a
line which has been hailed In some quar-
ters as striking q new note in trade
union politics.
The Future OF Labor.
Both speeches dealt notably with the
future relations Of capital and labor
as the most vital factor in the indus
trial situation when peace returns.
Mr.. Chamberlain welcomed the
changes brought about by the war In
the social n political fabric as sweep
ing away prejudices n anording some
data for the great reconstruction which
must take place after the war. En-
ployers and employed had both these
wants. which he defined as follows:
The wants Of labor were Cd a greater
share In the distribution OF the wealth
Il creates; CD greater regularity OF en-
ployment, and (3) improved conditions OF
life In the factory and the home. On the
other hand, capital required a. that
labor should put forth its utmost effort
In productions: (2) that there should be
reasonable notice Of any change In
wages. and (3) that labor should not be
unnecessarily withdrawn.
Mr.. Gosling dwelt on the "super-im>
~portance" OF labor rs demonstrated by
the war. lie contrasted the unselish
conduct OF the workers and their
brothers and sons. who had suffered the
r!gors Of warfare, with that OF the ship.
owners. food exploiters and war contrac.
tors. Labor's right to a foremost place
in the councils OF the nation was. he
said, now incontestable. and he crea-
ton OF a Ministry OF Labor was an I'M
perative necessity.
Mr.. Gosling's contentious on behalf of
the Industrial workers have been gener-
ously recognized by the capitalist"
press. Thus the Tory Saturday Repfctc
writes ~ungrudgingly
Labor Is going TO come well out Of
the war. thanks TO its valor all through
on the field OF battle. n thanks. latter
ly. to Its toll In the workshops. Thus
when Its Spokesman claim that. after the
war. labor will W. n right 10 a better
position In many ways than II has had
hitherto. they claim only justice.
Congress stand Upheld.
There is not the faintest doubt abou,
~it--those. alike In organized labor and
out of organized labor, who have
through this war borne the heat and
burden of the day will have TO be con,
sidered seriously indeed when the strug.
gle Is over. will have TO be reckoned with
The Trade Union Congress has beer
quite within Its rights In impresslng this
truth on h nation"
As the congress progressed the note
OF praise faded away. And now that the
curtain Is down. laments that the earl,
promise OF the congress has not beer
fulfilled are to be found on all hands.
The Nation, the leading Radica'
weekly. says:
In spite Of the fine qualities OF Mr.
Gosl!ng's presidential address. this Trad,
Union Congress has not been an insplf.
ing occasion. The delegates have beer
called upon 10 take several momentum,
decisions, but they seem to have takei
them. II We a Judge from the debates
without realizing their gravity. Never
has so much depended on labor as durins
the present war. and OF this the dele
gates are perhaps conscious. bat they d.
not seem to have realized yet how mucl
will hang on It during the period OF set
Element after the war.
For instance. the platform put for
ward a resuoltion asking congress 4
empower II TO call for the restoration O
over. This resolution was accepted, bu
practically no attempt was made to sur
vey the difficulties or provide for the lay
ing Of plans"
A Visionary Prospect.
The Radical Dailv Netos deplores tina
the congress meetings as n whole hav,
given evidence OF the weakness OF labo
rather than Its strength. That tn,
ongress has been productive of muci
oun and useful discussion is not to b.
disputed" II says, but the net result @
the weeks deliberations is to leave tn,
prospect of the effective cohesion OF or
ganized labor in this country more dis
tant and visionary Than ever"
on the same side the Daily Chronicl
Say that the congress leaves no yer,
coherent or significant impression
Apart from tho striking address deliv
cred from the chair by Mr.. Gosling, Their
was a lack OF guidance m leadership
Such n large ~assemblage cannot NOV,
far without strong pre-considered direc
ton and little was forthcoming eithe
from the Parliamentary Committee O
from the stronger personalities In tn
consressT
The Chronicle rgues that, 80 FAR a
feeling goes, the trade union leaders ar
turning In tho direction Of q stateman
like agreement aftor the war. wherein,
IN return for the period OF assured IN
dus,rial peace needed by capital, labo
would obtain under the new condition
not merely the retention. but tho pro
gross,ye advancement OF the standard
reached before the wa >topc.ber ui.I