The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-10-29


A timely and pertinent editorial on
the labor situation appears in the
Denver Times. 1t follows:
While strikes and rumors of strikes
are forecasting the industrial Arma-
geddon, there is an ominous rumbling
that fills the air from horizon to
now. it needs no prophet to predict
that 1t will before long challenge the
attention of both labor and capital.
1t is the rising temper of the common
people of the United States, destined
to shatter a few traditions and sacri-
flee that greatest of American fetishes,
its so-called good nature, on the altar
Of righteous indignation.
The tolerance with which the aver
age man in this country regards the
disturbances which subject him to an
noyance and even hardship and pri-
walton has ceased to be a national vir-
tue. We have Rugged it to our hearts
long enough. The delusion is losing
it's charm and gradually there is be-
ginning to seep into the intelligence
of the ordinary citizen the suspicion
that he is being made a fool of by
those who are. exploiting his boosted
qualities of forbearance and patience.
We pride ourselves. on the philo-
sophical spirit with which we greet
industrial upheavals. When the cars
stop running and we have to walk
several miles to work, We make light
of the matter and indulge in joking;
when the steel mills shut down and
the building trades unions stop piling
up bricks and the dock laborerS refuse
to handle food for babies and labor
and capital turnout the country en-
gage in economic wars that make the
days before the armistice seem like
Utopia, we readjust ourselves to the
changed conditions as best we can,
tighten up our belts, grumble little
and endeavor to go about our affairs
as before.
1t has long been the fashion of the
American to brag of this Adaptable
ity" this ease and dexterity with
which he fits himself into suddenly
altered conditions. We have felt it
weakness to seem ruffled or disturbed.
We are so emphatically individualistlc
that when the other fellow gets into
a quarrel with his boss we decline to
interest ourselves in the controversy
for fear someone may think us eXer-
clsed over an affair that seemingly
does not concern US. we swear ana
suffer and see it thru and in the END
pay the bills and forget what it was
all about.
But the national characteristic of
good nature is beginning to wear thin
at last Within the last few months
II has been jolted so severely that 1t IL
no longer an asset. We have too long
been in the habit of being annoyed,
when we should have been provoked;
nettled, when we should have become
indignant, peevish. when we should
have become angry. But now a
change is noticeable. Tossed about
o. the perilous sea of the increased
cost of existence. with the breakers
ever and ever blown higher by the
tempest of Industrial warfare the
thoroly aroused general public has
cast aside its nonchalance and is cry
ing out. "a plague O. both your
houses" 1t is going to determine re-
sponsibility.
II is declaring to both labor and
capital that it has Just about reached
the point where it will support neither
side indorse neither issue, uphold
neither cause. 1t is sick, sick unto
death OF the interminable cataclysm
OF strikes and loekouts. 1t is praying
to the government to display firmness
and decision in compelling arbitration
OF present and threatened contro-
versies. 1t is warning labor leaders
that the vast unorganiZed majority
still holds that by the constitution of
the United States 1t is entitled to the
| right of Life. liberty and the pursuit
of happiness" and that no class quar-
rel OF wage conflict shall be permitted
to strange or starve or freeze the
| country to death.
The nation must be clothed, fed and
kept warm. unions or no unions, closed
| shop or no closed shop.
The storm is gathering; the barom-
eter of popular opinion is easily read
by all except the agitators and their
blind followers; let the warning be
needed now before the holy wrath of
a long suffering public be visited upon
both the COOL and the bad labor or
ganization, both the fair and the I'M
fair employer, and 100000 out
ra ged people place their hired man,
Uncle Sam, on the job.