The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-02-03

that it is success. The men feel that they are working for themselves, as indeed they are, and hence are willing and anxious to share responsibility, as well as to increase both their output and its quality. It really amounts to making each workman a share holder in the business, and even a small share holder is much more efficient workman than the man who feels that he is being ground down just for the money that his work can bring into some one else's pocket without any benefit for himself.
 On the other hand, the returns to the employer are more satisfactory under such ar arrangement. The head of the business real izes that he is reaping large rewards for his fairness ill the loyalty and satisfaction of his men, and that they are working for the good of the business rather than just to see how
 little work they can do for the most money
 The action of this company gives nc cause for anything in the line of the serious labor disturbances that are prevalent on the coast at the present time. The principal bone of contention between the shipyard workers and their employers seems to be that they, the former, feel that their employers are mak- ing excessive profits off their labor, for which they are not receiving their just dues. They demanded higher rate of pay, and when this demand was not met they struck by the wholesale. Whether their demands are just or not, or whether they are at fault as much as their employers, it is impossible to determine from the viewpoint of an outsider. It is also true that this strike may be insti- gated by agitators backed up by propaganda with the express purpose of hampering the government ship-building program. However that may be, the fact remains that Seattle and vicinity are in the throes of serious labor trouble, and in consequence of this the gov ernment may withdraw its contracts with these yards, thus practically throwing the ma jority of these men out of work for good
 It is in such direct contrast with the peace and harmony that prevails between em- ployer and employee in such plant as the Willis Overland company that it is worthy of comment On the one hand there is obviously fair and square dealing, while on the other there is dissatisfaction and discomfort among the workers, disloyalty and inefficiency and the feeling among them that they are piling Up money in some one else's pocket without getting any share of it themselves. It is plain to be seen which is the better way of dealing with the workmen from the results obtained
 
 are receiving a square deal or even a little loyalty and best efforts to their work. In the other case, even tho the workers may be receiving just and fair treatment, they feel that they are being downtrodden and hence are disloyal and inefficient, finally striking for what they deem their rights. In the one case there is no cause for complaint, while in the other, the workers not only complain, but they quit work altogether in an effort to ob tain what they consider fair treatment.
 A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
 In the news from Nenana comes the word that the workingmen of that town sent a telegram to Senator Hiram Johnson of Cali fcrnia asking his aid in protesting to the government against the layoff of the commits sion employees. An answer was received from the senator saying that he would do ev vcrything ill his power to help and had prot the matter to the attention of the secretary of the interior. This is step in the right direc- tor, and it is to be hoped that it will be fol- lowed by many similar ones. Why stop with Johnson? Why not enlist the aid of all the congressmen of the coast states? They are all interested in Alaska, and more than those of other states, they have some insight into conditions here.
 It is a we'll known fact that Alaska has made Seattle, and that all the coast states will profit immensely by the development of the territory. Then why not put it up to the con- grcssnen from these states in order that they may bring all the pressure possible to bear upon the red tape machine of the government, and perhaps accomplish some relief for the 
 It is perfectly proper to work thru the