The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1916-04-20
IN PASSING
(LEST WE FORGET
by Wilbur NJ. Fairbanks.

country inform US that the case
against Margaret Sanger has been
dropped. This result has come about
because of the naton-w wide publicity
and severe criticism which this at
tempted prosecution attracted. But it
could have easily terminated other
wise: In our mind, the prosecution,
realizing that the action treads upon
the practice of many thousands of the
middle class and trustful of Labor's
well known apathy regarding matters
affecting its own welfare, decided to
dismiss the case and let the question
involved die a natural death.
But this case should not rest here
Birth Control is of vital importance
as working class issue. Mrs. San
gers book should be given much space
in all Labor and Socialist periodicals.
1t is the Workingman's children that
make up our bread lines, fill the jails
and swell the unemployed ranks. 1t
should be the workingman's CHOICE
regarding the NUMBER he wishes to
sacrifice to these ends, Perhaps ar
rangements could be made whereby
the book could be had in pamphlet
form for from ten to twenty-five
cents. Labor needs this book.
In the March 18th issue of the La
Dor Journal, Everett, considerable
space is given to the eight-hour day.
Mr.. Gompers, of the A. F. of L., and
Mr.. Garretson, president of the Order
of Railway Conductors, are freely
quoted in utterances demanding this
measure and in citation of facts and
reasons why this measure should be-
come a law. All of which is good
with a capital "G"! But how good?
Will it solve the Labor Problem Let's
see:
To gain this issue, Labor must be
ndustrially organized to the extent
that it can FORCE its demands to sue
cessful conclusion. Now | grant you,
for arguments sake, that Labor has
become 100 per cent. solid Industrial
ly. Ten men represent Labor. One
man represents Capital. Capital has
ten acres upon which he must grow
potatoes, or starve. This ONE MAN
cannot do the trick. He calls upon
Labor: "Ten men, ten sacks EACH" is
Labor's ultimatum.
Capital accepts. He has to- Labor
is solid and in the saddle.
Accordingly, the Ten Men plant and
harrow-or harrow and plant, as the
case may be-working what hours
they dam'd please and with none to
dictated
Finally the crop is gathered. But
10! Scratch as they will, only 80 sacks
can be found! Now is any body stung?
If so, whom? Does this present an
unconsidered issue, or do we dream?
No, WE DO NOT DREAM! FACTS
CONFRONT.
There is ONE WAY out: The MU-
TUAL OWNERSHIP and MUTUAL
WORKING cf all industry, the result
going to the COLLECTIVELY in proportion
to the individual effort expended.
Victor Berger, while in Congress.
advised every American to get gun.
BY that Comrade Berger did not mean
to tell the American people that spuds,
fuel, clothing, housing or job would
be acquired through the mere possess
sion of musket or shot gun. Rath-
er was this advice along lines analog-
)us to those favored by Comrade Bruce
Rogers in his recent letter to the
Northwest Worker. 1t was simply an
appeal to the workers to study condi-
tons. TO lead each to an understand
ing of social needs. To realization
that the hungry family disgraced it's
next door neighbor to the same extent
that it degraded itself, even though
hat neighbor be the banker. In short,
Mr.. Berger appealed for initiative de-
cency and understanding in EVERY
INDIVIDUAL along social lines, local
ly, statewide and nationally. He
knew that once the people acquired
the habit of investigating their own
needs their victory was certain, re-
CARELESS of who occupied the nations
executive seats. When a new town is
founded, water, schools, streets, lights
and post office comes as matter of
course. Why stop with these few ne
cessities? Why not extend this plan
to cover the questions of housing,
clothing, hospital, dental parlors, and
the grocery store? Are these of less
Importance? Mr. Berger told US the
reason; We are not BIG ENOUGH
nor DECENT ENOUGH as individuals
to work for a COMMON GOOD! The
under dog CAN do nothing and those
more favored WILL do nothing be-
cause of the ignorance and selfishness