The Washington herald., 1919-08-29
Labor Radicalism Sweeping
Western States Is Menace
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.


workers, whether well based or not,
and getting their own back" by
the simple process Of marking up
their products to the extent of the
concessions made, thus contributing
to the high cost OF living and adding
fuel to the flame OF discomfort.
The Reckoning VIII Como.
1t is .only now beginning to dawn
upon these men that their short-s'ght-
cd policy of playing into the hands of
the radical labor leaders is likely to
cost them dearly in the reckoning
which is sure to come. The fact Is
that they have provided the extremist
leaders who are now In control of the
labor situation with their strongest
weapon, and that weapon has been
used unsparingly to force into the
radical camp many Thousand Of
straight-thinking workinsmen who
have no real sympathy with their
present leaders, and who would wei
come a chance to set ON the right
track. False leaders and unsOund the
OTics are prevailing, partly by sheer
force of persistence, hut largely be-
cause Of lack Of leadership on the
side Of common sense and justice.
Tod-y, by means OF systematic or
ganiZation and ceaseless activity, the
radical labor leaders are making
headway in the Western States
sweeping into line great numbers OF
wage-earners-many Of them proper
ty owners themselves-who would well
come a sounder, saner program If
only one were provided.
I have talked with workers In Ia
coma, Seattle, Spokane. and else
where. 1 have heard the I. w. W.
orators haranguing their deeply at
tentive audiences on the vacant lots.
I have seen the shipyard forces come
out from work in the afternoon, and
whirl away in more than l,CC0 auto
mobiles of various late makes and
styles, all owned by the workers
themselves. I have seen among them
high school teachers and church
workers who dropped their old call
ings and took Jobs at the shipyards
because of the high wages offered,
These wage standards, which have
set the pace for other concerns, are
out of all proportion to production,
and must eventually recoil upon the
workers themselves. but they are re-
garded by them now. generally speak
ing, as labOr's right and proper due,
The Signs Are Ominous.
Everywhere dangerous theorists are
in control of the labor organizations
and the plain outspOken policy of most
Of them as evidenced by the.E
speeches and their vast quantities OF
literature with which the whole coun-
try is flooded, seems TO be to destroy
capital, to ignore property rights and
to take a short cut, via the Soviet
route, TO UltTa-socialisln.
1t is an OmnOus s.Gn that in this
feverish TUsn coward some new state
of things even Su ons y NOTthwester1
farm oranges and the railway broth
erhoods have now joined, and this de-
spite the fact that in the movement
which they are now virtu.NIy a pat
Of. the very fundamentals Uf econom-
ic laws arc being ignored, forcing the
cost of living constantly higher. and
creating unhealthy conditions IN
which the workers themselves must
Ultimately be the principal sufferers.
II is a time for a strong lead to be
given which will encourage the people
especially the working people. who
are being led sadly astray-tO think
straight and understand the basic ele-
ments of the labor question and OF
other questions equally important
which must he dealt with soon in the
interests of the country at large.
1t develops upon the aroused busl-
ness men Of this country more than
upon any other class or body of Citi-
zouS 10 get promptly to work and saE,
the situation.
It will not do for capital. as capital,
to raise A big fund and start out IN
fight this radical movement If II
tried that today tho chances are tha.
capital would be beaten. The eNtrem-
ist labor leaders would welcome such
q challenge.
But II the men who represent all
grades and kinds Of business
States were to unite In a movement
not to fight labor. not to fight cap
ital. but fearlessly to expose the
faults Of both and simply and fair
u to spread the truth. they could
turn the whole trend Of events and
avert consequences that are not
pleasant to contemplate. These fire.
quent strikes are largely tests OF
strength, and they are multiplying
rapidly. Conditions are growing
steadily worse the country over.
\ sane, strong counter movement
would, I am sure. command the ap-
pTOyaI and cooperation of the
decent. sound element in labor, and
that embraces the great majority of
workers throughout the country.
They are being led, and driven, to-
day by a minority and a very dan