The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-03-02
FOR EIGHT HOUR DAY
Great Fight Now on In Railway and Mining
Work
(By MARCUS DAY.)

there could have been no better time
for fight for better working condi-
tions on the part of either railroad
workers or their brothers in the
mines. There is an election in the
fall, great prosperity in both mine and
railroad operations, enormous divi-
dends being paid shareholders in
each and with the certainty of stop
page on this prosperity to the share
holder if there is a prolonged strike.
1t is the very time to strike, if such a
situation is demanded and capital
stands-pat because there is little or
no likelihood but that the Administra-
tion at Washington would let a con-
dition of prostration to our industries
continue without any effort at pacifi-
cation and settlement, and govern
ment interference will only come with
the justice to the mine-workers and
railroad trainmen taken into full con-
sideration. There could be nothing
done by the national government
against union labor's contentious
without inviting retaliation at the
polls while any attempt to curry favor
with our great railroad employers for
their political support would be worse
than useless-the latter will support
the Republican leadership and pre-
tensions regardless of anything that
can be done by the Wilson Admins
tration to pacify them. But President
Wilson will no doubt admonish both
sides to make sacrifices for the sake
of peace. .-est
] do not believe that either side to
this controversy expect a granting in
full of their contentions-it is simply
another war for the best which can b.
obtained-each side resorting to some
bluff in order to gain as much as
possible.
The enemies of labor will criticize
this method of action and will term it
'browbeating"
This need not alarm the organized
laborer-the fact that he is a member
of labor-union is sufficient to tell
him that he is not loved by the great
mine-owners and railroad manipula-
tors. He has an organization in spite
OF then-not with their consent
The time is past when the laborer
need fear the power of coercion-un-
less the country again turns over to
reactionary servants the control of
government 1t was only because la
Dor was taboo at Washington that the
enemies of labor became bold in max
ing arbitrary demands
There never was a greater mistake
than the assumption on the part of
many well-meaning but befuddIed
people that private capital had the
power to coerce the national govern
ment. 1t was very much to the adj
vantage of the monopolist to have
the country welded to this belief-it
helped him pull off the necessary
bluff which he worked in complete
union with his servant in govern
ment and it shifted responsibility on
the latter when the corrupt and sub
servient politician betrayed the coun-
try.
But there never was a greater fall
lacy than that the government was at
the mercy OF the financiers-it is just
the other way The national govern
ment can bankrupt and drive out OF
the country any individual or any set
of individuals within its borders. All
it needs is popular approval and inn
munity from punishment by the peo-
pie. The robbers are few in number
and cordially despised--the robbed
great in number and constitute now a
growing army who detest their OPP
Pressors. The government can go
much farther in the way OF punish
ment than it does and receive the loud
applause Of the people.
But there is no need of vindctive
action-the organized laborer wants
justice present and future and is will
ing to forgive the past, if not from
love for the sake of expediency
Organized labor is on the eve Of
great gain materially because its lead
ers are at last using great foresight
in bringing contest on at time
when all the circumstances are in its
favor and disaster impossible.