Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-03-09
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! : LABOR AND THE WAR
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By R. A. Harris

Although there is anxiety in some
minds over the attitude of labor toward
the war, as evidenced by too frequent
strikes and labor disturbances, there is
very much in the attitude of labor that
is altogether encouraging and for which.
both the country and her laboring peo-
+ pie are to be congratulated.
Although we have fretted at the
seemingly snail-like pace at which the
American people have rallied to the
fwar flag, we must remember that III no
previous war of any magnitude was
there anything like as many of us, nor
/ had we been so thoroughly schooled
against any-and everything warlike.
Moreover, this war is ON the other side
of the ocean. Had it been civil war
or even an American war, with the smell
of powder in our own noses, the res
ponse, by comparison, would, no doubt,
have been quite satisfactory.
But in no other war has the govern
ment and the people worked together
as they are doing in the United States
today. Why7 Because the people, in all
manner of organized endeavor, have
been learning to work together. And by
lno means the least of this wonderful
teamwork is coming from the ranks of
labor through the machinery of its un-
| ions.
| From one end of the country to the
other, and iE foreign countries as well,
the trades unIons--that division of the
great Labor movement identified in Am
erica by the American Federation of
Labor-has rallied to the war flag OF
democracy in no uncertain manner.
Every strike that has been recorded has
been. nothing more nor less than labor $
method of action toward profiteering.
If vast profits are to be permitted, la
bor deems itself entitled to share of
them. The innocent (and shall say, IN
ane) public must content itself by pro-
testing against ungodly prices because
if is not in position to demand its
share in the profits through better
wages-all of which would be equally
remedied through lower prices which
the government should enforce.
But, says someone, labor should not
cause any cessation OF war preparations.
Agreed, it should not. 1t should close
ewes, minds and mouths to all the CON
scienceless profiteering SO flagrantly
conducted under its very nose, and SUD-
NIT without a murmur to the increasing
cost of food for itself and it's depend
ents, the while believing that, unless
If peotest the thieves of business will
90 on with their diabolical work and
even win public plaudits for their loyal
tv and patriotism. Yes, it should, no
doubt. do this; but it will not, nor
would any of its critics who had rich,
red blood such action would be against
Inaturs.
But with all the criticism of the un-
svmnafbetic and the uninformed, labor
! today. through its organizations and
! leaders. il closer by far to the govern
ment in tLis war than are it's critics.
In every lcpartnlent of gov 1nment that
emnloys labor or fixes the. price that
manufacturers shall charge, there is a
Heading official of the American FEEDER
alton Of Labor on the committee who
has as much power as the representative
If the capitalists, The president of the
/ limited Mine Workers Of America is as
sistant to Garfield the fuel administra'
tor The nregident Of the Building
i Trades Unions is on the Emergency Con-
atrnction Roard for building ships. A
Heading organizer of me American Fed
leration of Labor is on the great War In
\ 49, tr;os hnerd which controls all kinds