The Washington herald., 1918-11-26

With threats OF strikes in protest
against the pending execution of
rhos. ]. Mooney and against the Emer-
Eency Fleet Corporation for cutting
on overtime and Sunday work. one fact
alone in the labor situation stood out
clearly in Washington, namely, that
u is both unsettled and unsatisfactory
to the parties concerned
Both the Department of Labor and
the American Federation of Labor are
doing what they can to keep the situa-
ton from getting out OF hand, but in
neither quarter could be found any
deinite assurance that conditions can
be shaped without considerable dis
turbance during the readjustment
period.
strong Sympathy Expressed.
So strong was the sympathy OF the
Central Labor Union for Thomas J
Mooney at its meeting last night that
action was postponed for a week in
order that a committee might select
the most drastic form in which TO ex-
press that sympathy.
Z. J. Brock, of the Machinists
Union, moved that action be post
poned and that a committee be named
TO consider the Hisest and most ef-
fectivs action.
When the life of man is at
stake" said Mr.. Brock, "and when
that man Is a worker for organized
labor and its most sincere and ardent
friend. we must choose some action
stronger than mere passive resolu-
ton to the governor Of California
The desks of the California au-
thorities are heaped with resolutions
and not one of them has changed
their action in the least"
Mr.. Brook admitted that he was a
bit at sea as to what would serve
better than a resolution, but was SURE
that with a week to consider the Cen
trail body could discover some effect
i've measure.
The matter Of a strike was consid.
cred unwise in Washington. where
the activities Of war centered. except
as the most extreme and final meas
Urs
Henry Nolda, of the Upholsterers
Union. also expressed the opinion oi
the central body.
Every man here" said he, 'is al
in sympathy with Mooney. We art
sure he is not guilty. We do not
want him hanged unless guilty
Neither do We want him pardoned
We want him to have justice. a fail
and honest trial, where he will prove
his innocence"
The committee on the Mooney case
appointed by John B. Dickman. presi-
I dent Of the Central Labor Union, con-
sists OF T. McGilton, Z. ]. Brock, J.
Hartley. +. Venable and II. NOlda-
Extended Strikes Urged
The Mooney cese is by no means the
least disturbing element, for the
propaganda to call sympathetic strikes
Is being pushed with yigor by the
labor organizations OF the Pacific
Coast Il is indicated that the course
will probably be that Mooney will be
parduned: that he will Immediately be
| rcaTrested under one of the several
other indictments found against him
and > new trial brought about in this
Wsy
Meanwhile Secretary of Labor Will
On- in the absence of John B. Dens-
more, author Of the Mooney report
fiIl make no comment upon the case
REGARDLESS of the wishes Of in
AivIduaIs or groups" said Frank
Mon ison. Secretary of the American
Federation Of Labor yesterday. ANY
deduction Of present wage scales in
his country will be opposed by the
yorkers, who will not accept wage
deductions for the simple reason that
his procedure will lower their STAN
lard Of living. And by standard oi
lving I refer to substantial food.
lothing. housing and all the neces-
aries to a we'll ordered life
The. cost of living IS not a theory
with the workers" he continued. "it
is a plain unvarnished tale than can
not be explained away by sophistry.
The United States Bureau OF Stats
tics shows that living Z costs are
mounting higher and higher. Its re-
TOrt for August this year shows All
increase of Two per cent over last
July. an iucreae of fifteen per cent
between August last year and Au-
gust this year, and an increase OF
seventy per cent during the fve-year
period between August, 1913, and Au-
gust 1915
The right to live comes first, and
workers will resist any attempt to
reduce living standards. in view OF
present costs. even though some en-
pIoyer talks Of capturing the mar
kets OF the world.
Il am hopeful that the best
thought among employers and other
elements of our citizenship will
agree that nothing will create more
internal turmoil than a denial that
the highest possible living stand
ards for workers is the first requi-
site for the America we dream to
have. The eight-hOur should be &C.