The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1919-07-15
anc NewNew York and Local Markets

Of the relation of labor to industry
are in his, view perhaps the most
important Of the conditions now ex-
lsung in Great Britain. First of all.
the labor unions. whose members now
fully understand the power of num-
oers, are breaking away from the
leadership Of the Intelligent men who
have done so much for the cause OF
labor in Great Britain, but who nov
realize that the system which they
created Is likely to prove a veritable
"Frankenstein." The labor union
leaders cannot control the unions.
Numbers are doing that, and not sin
gle leadership. The result of this
change may prove serious obstacle
in the way of England's regaining
her former supremacy In world COM
merce and in some departments Of
industry.
This American Industrial leader,
from whom these views are obi aimed
and who received his information at
first hand in Great Britain, spoke
with emphasis of the fact that the
workingmen of Great Britain will
never consent to accept employment
at the rate of wages which prevailed
before the European war began.
Prior to 1914 labor in England was
about as cheap as in any civilized
country in the world. Almost as
cheap. at least in certain lines, as
was the labor Of the Far East. In
this way England found 1t possible
to undersell the rest of the world
in many Of the markets Of the world.
They Won't Go Back.
Now, understanding their power and
MA lob -
dustrial workers Of England will never
consent to accept a payroll unless It
Is similar In its payments to the pay
rolls which have been established since
the war began. They are sure to de-
mand present-day wages, perhaps
shorter hours, and may hereafter in
crease their demands.
1t is a stupendous problem, and Eng
ilshmen are particularly to blame for
the fact that they are now compelled
to face it and to try to solve it. 1t
contains certain features which must
be considered by the American lead
ers who are willing and even anxious
to assist Great Britain, but would like
to have better understanding of what
the relation labor in Great Britain to
capital hereafter Is to be.
" hat the Soldiers Say,
Indirectly at least. in fact almost
directly. associated with this labor
situation is the relation of the
armies of Great Britain that have
returned from the battlefields. At
one time the armies numbered 7,000.-
900. There are between 5000, 900
and 100000 who have returned.
These soldiers almost to a man say,
For four years we have borne all
the hardships of the war We have
lain in the trenches night and day.
We have faced the Huns and never
faltered. Many who went out with
us made the supreme sacrifice. We
have done all that was expected of
us and more. We who remain have
done our share. Now having done
our share we resent any proposition
to tax US or to make US pay at home
any OF the expenses occasioned by
the war. Let the wealth meet these
expenses. Let us have remunSrative
employment but let us be spared
taxation. The rich who did not go
to war and the others who made a
great deal of money while the war
lasted should be called upon to pay
the expenses and to meet the bur-
dens which England now finds it
necessary to bear. Not us. Leave
US out"
This sentiment the American lead
er says is practically unanimously
held by all the soldiers. II must be
recognized by the statesmen or
Great Britain and the parliament.
1t also involves either tho support
of the returned soldiers by direct
aid or else the finding
of employment for them that is con-
genial and that will pay the high
rates of wages. This is
one of the factors in the English
OF which this American in
dustrial leader has good under
standing and which he has been cx-
planning to his friends. The other
points to which he made reference
will be reported hereafter in This
column. HOLLAND.