Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1916-09-01

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does this emphasis upon creative pow.
er appear NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. at.
tention is focused upon the products
created rather than upon that great
er, more beautiful thing, the wonder
full, mysterious, spiritual force that
gives direction and purpose to physi-
cal forces In production.
The problems Of those who handle
| the tools and who do the actual work
of production have been to secure rec
ignition of the value of their creative
| services and to maintain the right of
free men to control their bodies and
their individual powers while all the
time endeavoring to obtain greater OPP
portunities and facilities for personal
development and activity. These prob
lens are problems of economic rela-
lions between themselves and those
who produce and those who happen to
enjoy strategic advantages in the de-
termining distribution of the returns
from production. Only a powerful in
dustrial force can maintain Industrial
justice and secure for those who pro-
duce adequate return for their serv'
ices.
AS individuals the workers cannot
exercise sufficient influence to main
tain their rights or Industrial justice,
but united they have power in proper
ton to their joint intelligence, needs
and aspirations.
The problems to be solved and the
forces that win be effective are eco
nomic-hence the wisdom Of the policy
that the American Federation of La
Dor has steadfastly pursued. There
have been many other advisers, some
sincere, others actuated by Interior
purposes, who have counseled the
wage earners to put their faith In the
ballot and TO "go to congress-"
Politics a Secondary Force.
But politics is concerned with pro-
viding opportunities, maintaining the |
right to activities, establishing ways |
and means by which things can be
done-politics does not enter directly
and intimately into Industrial rela-
lions. Politics Is a secondary force In
industrial affairs.
Every day is demonstrating that the
center Of power has shifted from poll
tics and government to industry and
Political power is only re-
fected power-rehected from the eco
nomic.
This transition makes organization
Of Industrial relations for the estab-
lishment of ideals of justice of trans
cendent Importance. 1t makes the
meeting and the deliberations of repre-
sentatives of millions of wage earners
Of potential significance to the nation
and the whole world.
OF course labor has gone to congress
Tor the purpose OF securing the largest
iegree of freedom to exercise the nee
,ssary normal activities of the work
FRS for economic betterment. for the
work which the govern
nent alone can enact; and TO voice
he new demand for labor's complete
llsenthrallment from every form and
act of unfreedom and inequality be-
ore the law.
Great Humanitarian Laws.
Much beneticent, remedial legisla-
ion has already been secured from .
congress, conserving the lives and
lealth OF workers and protecting their
ights-doing for them that which cam
lot be done through economic organi-
alton alone.
Among the great Humanitarian laws
re two that stand out conspIcuously:
he seaman's act. enacted by congress
nd signed by President Wilson,
iarch 4. 1915, which made sailors free
len. giving them the right to stop
York at will when their vessels are In
afe harbors. and the labor provisions
( the Clayton antitrust act, section g
{ which contains a legislative declara. /.
ON of more far-reaching significance
han has been enacted by any other
uthorized body-tbat the labor power
{ human being is not a commodity
r article OF commerce.
This new charter of freedom for /
-orkers was passed by congress and
gned by President Wilson, October
8, 1914. IL brings relief from old
lethods of legal oppression and oppor
unity for freedom and progress. II
leans the beginning of a new period
be dawning of new and better day