Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-04
CONSCRlPTlON OF LABOR
by FREDERIC J. HAsKIN

WASHINGTON. November a The
labor question holds tho center of the
stage here for the moment. With the
assurance OF MIR Hoover that we have
turned the corner In the high-price
problem, and the second Liberty loan
campaign already almost matter Of
history. the big mon arc turning
thoughtful glance on the restless Held
OF labor. 1t Is. the next big question.
There are strikes and rumors OF
strikes. There Is lack of labor in vital
industries. There are demands fot
higher wages. There are protests
against the wages already being paid.
Disputes between capital and labor
nave hindcred government work. Even
tlc-ups In the governments own yards
and shops have not been lacking. And
In certain quarters there are those who
speak OF CONSUMPTION Of labor.
VIII there be CONSUMPTION OF labor
In the United States? mo conscrip-
ton Of labor without CONSUMPTION OF
industry. That IL the answer which
one gets from authoritative tources-
not from any one source, but rather
as the consensus of the attitudes of
all of them. II is not IL formulated
policy nor recognized principle; it
Is prevailing stute of mind.
CONSUMPTION of industry" means that
IT II becomes necessary for the Fed
cral government TO conscriEt labor for
service in industries vital to the sue
ccssful conduct If tho war. the govern
mcnt will not be able 10 stop with tho
conscription Of labor. IT Will have to
take over the industry AZ we'll. for
the time being. In other words, Ameri-
can labor is not to be drafted for the
service OF any individual or corpora
ton. even il that Individual or corpora
ton is engaged in government war
work 1f consumption is necessary IL
will have TO be complete
Forecast Of Program.
This statement which does not indi-
cato program, but IL rather a fore
cast of what an emergency program
will be. is based on the opinions of
men in very close touch with the Situa-
ton. They believe that CONSUMPTION
would be repuGnant to the sentiment
of American workingmen: that II
would not hc just; that II is probably
Unnecessary. and that II would mako
trouble.
The commonest argument advanced
in favor OF conscription OF labor Is the
fact that the government drafts men.
for war service. If YOU can uraft n
man to fight. why can't you draft him
TO do work that lis just as necessary as
lighting" Eut this puts douolc bur
dcn on !abor. Labor is not exempt
from conscriptinn for the army Hav-
Ing furnished It's quota of soldiers, /,
would probably insist on it's right 10
remain otherwise free. Furthermore.
drafting labor for industrial work
would be blow NJ the position which
the working man has been laborIousiy
strengthening for many years
Military discipline In the army is an
urgent necessity, bu: when war is over
the huge army returns to civil life
NO precedent has been established by
tho military rule under which men live
in tho service. But drafting labor
would mean the introduction Of the
military system into the factory. It
would mean. in all probability. the TEN.
poTnry suspension OF tho right to
strike. which is labor'S strongest
weapon. Tint labor in vital industries
should not strike in wartime is readI.
~ admitted by every loyal American
worker or capitali"t But that labor
In any industry should be- In posi-
sion whore II would not dare TO strike
ia n different matter
Problem II Pressing.
How is the problem TO be solved? 1t
is admittedly pressing. l., Will be
solved. II study OF the character and
uttcranccs Of the men who have to deal
with 1t means anything without re-
sorting to radical measures II will he
solved by remembering that labor and
capital are Americans first, and tina,
an appeal to their reason and their pa.
triotism. nm offer Of mediation OF any
particular difference coming from
source IN which they both have conf
dcnce VIII be met half way on either
side
Such has been the belief of william
Is. wilson, Secretary Of Labor. and con.
scqucntly the governments policy has
neeh largely shaped accordingly. MIR
Mllsoh u.s. perhaps. the most importan,