The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-03-30
WHAT OTHER PAPERS SAY !:
CAPITAL OR TAROR

Dor has been attempting for years to
get legislation passed that would be Of
benefit to the common people and the
laborers. Some of the legislation was
passed, only to- be declared uncon-
stitutional by the courts
Through the years of organized
struggle the workers have only sue
ceeded in lettering their condition
in a rather mild way and now there
is butt one thing left and that is for
the laborer to take political part
in the running of the machinery Of
government. The farmers have like
wise been for years attempting to get
legislation that would better their con-
d1t1on. Numerous organizations have
been formed in the past, but for the
most part have kept out OF politics,
therefore they fell short of accom-
plishing any results. With the organ
izing of the Nonpartisan league and
the things the league has accomplish
ed makes it very evident that the only
that can and will give attention to
the needs of the common people.
Considerable speculation is on foot
as to what stand organized labor will
take on the matter Of cooperating
with the organized farmers. From all
parts of the country come reports
that the unions are in hearty accord
with the farmers and that their cause
is common.
We are the common people and
our place is with the common people.
Can we obstruct our own progress
and promote the cause of organized
business? We think not. We must
use our influence where it is going
to benefit us for if we do not, who
then will uphold our policies in our
legislatures and courts.
So long as we remain aloof and
refuse to mix in politics, so long we
will be deprived of beneficial legisla-
ticn.
WANTED: MORE McADOOS.
Spokane Labor World: Attempts
by private insurance interests to dis
credit the generous federal insurance
for soldiers and sailors may result in
the rapid development and extension
of all forms Of government insurance.
In a terse letter to the president of a
big. life insurance company, who had
written a disparaging article for a
New York newspaper on the govern
ments insurance at cost for the ma
TONS fighting forces, Secretary Of the
Treasury McAdoo promptly throws
down this challenges:
IF propaganda against the War
Risk Bureau is beginning, I shall be
very happy to meet it. Such a pro-
paganda may produce many beneficial
effects in widening the field of the
War Risk Insurance Bureaus activi-
ties.''
If there were a. McAdoo in official
position in every state. where costly
private insurance is blocking the way
toward a state fund for workmen's
Insurance, it is being suggested, SINH
lar beneficial effects for injured
workers and their families would be
FASTENED.
REMEMBER THESE FIGURES:
Cleveland Citizen:-1f worker,
last year, raised wages "a per cent or
from So to 1912 day, for instance,
the increased cost Of food that year
would take away his increase, with
nothing to meet higher prices for
rent, shoes, clothing, etc. If the same
worker raised wages 81 per cent. or
from SO to $4.56 a day between 1913
and 1917, the increased cost of food
during that period would consume this
gain, with nothing to meet higher
prices for rent, shoes, clothing, etc.
The above suppositions are based on
food prices issued by the Federal
Bureau Of Labor Statistics, and pub
lished in its Monthly Review, March
issue. 'Tn the year from Dec. Is,
1916, to Dec. IS, 1917, prices of food
as a whole advanced "a per cent and
food as a whole was So per cent high
err on Dec. IS, 1917, than on, Dec. IS,
1913. Those government figures
should not be forgotten.
LITTLE PROFITEERING.
Columbus State Journal:-Profit-
eering in small matters is almost uni
versal. 1t amounts, in the aggregate.
to a great robbery. Raising the price
of some little thing 100 per cent is
charging more than is strictly honest.
It has become so pert in explanation
of the increased price that prices have
advanced. OF course they have ad-
vanced, but that does not justify an
advance of 100 per cent, which is
usually the increase. There is no
doubt but people have right to
charge more for what they sell and
do thses days, but they have no right
to charge beyond the actual in
creased cost. In other words, they
have no right to camouflage the stu
alton and charge what they please.
Profiteering is a sin that will stain
the soul of the nation and lower its
ideals. It is the fruit of selfshness
and this no nation can long endure.
SHOULD BE PERMANENT.
Steel Plant News:-Probably with
a desire to show how very astute he
is the editor of the St. Paul Dispatch
asks this question:
"How long will the combination be-
tween the Non-partisan league farm
err, who wishes to- get high prices for
his products, and the city labor man,
who wishes to buy food as cheaply
as possible, be able to hold together?"
The answer is that they will stick
together indefinitely if these desirable
results are ever to be attained and