New-York tribune., 1919-02-10
Failure 10 Obtain German
Lands and Indemnify Is
Seen as Cause of Unrest
Steel Man Offers Remedy
Maximum Workday and a
Minimum Wage Urged as
Features of Peace Plan
BY Samuel Crowther
NeD York Tyfbuma
EXropeGr Bure,-T

European Bureca
copyright, 1919. New York Tribune Inc)
LONDON, Feb. 9.-It is becoming in
creasingly evident that the labor un-
rest is daily fed by the obscurity which
surrounds the doings of the peace con-
terence and the growing feeling among
British workers that the war has been
fought IN vain. They were expecting a
large indemnity from Germany and re-
alzation of their hopes in regard to an
neXation Of the German colonies as a
reward for their own war effort. They
now see little chance Of either.
they read of Germany being in good
condition and ready to go forward with
her peace work. 1t makes no difference
whether or not these things are true.
The point is they believe them, and in
resentment they turn to Bolshevism
and arguments of the nature Of ~ told
you So" They are equally at odds with
the government and the national labor
leaders who are identified with the
government
NSlucOy 1Or unrest Offered
The most constructive suggestion I
have yet heard for settlement of the
iabor troubles here and elsewhere was
made to me to-day by Sir Robert Had
field, owner of Hadfield's, Ltd, the
great steel works at Sheffield. He said: :
The workingman has the right to
l. Ill.
nloyers think they cannot grant them
because of competition. In that they
are to some extent wrong, for I have
had the eight-hour day for twenty
years and it has proved more economi-
cal than the longer day. But 1t is
hard to convince employers that the
short day is better than the long one.
Therefore, I suggest that the league
Of nations could not do better than to
include maximum workday and min
mum working wage in it's platform.
Then manufacturers the world over
would overcome their difficulties and
could start on an equal basis, and the
problem of working hours would be re-
the suggestion is radical to a de-
gree, but not at all impossible of en-
ecution, and would be the best answer
known to Bolshevism, for one factor
which is helping to spread class war is
this talk about intensive production and
intense trade competition. The worker
sees that the programme is only one OF
exploitation of himself.
View of Worker Recognized
"Perhaps he is right, for I am sure
some backward employers will take the
ground that extensive and cheap pro-
duction can be had only at the expense
of the worker. If we limit hours we
force every one to use machines, to
better their methods and to remove the
possibility Of merely exploiting human
labor"
talked with the Right Hon. George
H. Roberts, now Minister of Food, and
through the closing years of the war
Minister Of Labor. He is largely ad-
vising Bonar Law. Mr.. Roberts is a
trade unionist and thinks the present
crisis is only a reaction from war work
and the men shortly will calm down.
This i also the opinion of most Of tho
employers with whom | talked. Mr.
Roberts said:
Membership in the unions has been
more than doubled during the war.
We have gone forward faster than our
organization and many men do not un-
derstand the aims of the unions.
Hence they follow insurgent leaders
who are destructive and not construc-
tive. They think strikes will bring
about everything. The condition is
temporary and can be adjusted if suf-
ficient but not too much tirmness is
used. We cannot see the union struct-
ure pulled down. That would be the
result of the present strikes if they
are successful. My remedy is to put
the plan of joint industrial councils
into force Immediately, SO the men can
know through their own representa-
tives exactly what the problem of the
employer is and then try to help him