The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-25
BRITONS CALLED TO
MEET LABOR PERIL
Citizens Urged to Enroll to
Maintain Services Inter-
rupted by Strikes.
Special Gable Despatch TO THE Sun.
roa,,ef0bf 1914. 1H Ti0hfs rSaerrSA


LONDON, Aug. 24.-In a remarkable
letter to the Times Lord wrenbury. for
merly Lord Justice of Appeal. has placed
before the British people the vital ques-
ton which is becoming the greatest dis
turbing element in the economic life Of
Great Britain: what right has labor,
when in a minority of the nation, TO
say to the community. Unless you do
our will and grant our demands we will
withdraw our labor. depriving you Of
the necessaries OF lifeT'
While admitting that the great mass
Of British workmen have not received
In wages anything like their fair share
OF what they produce, he argues that in
future there must be recognized limits
placed upon the workmen's use of the
strike and the objects which they seek
to gain by interfering In industry. This
check upon the minority, he points out,
Is recognized in all forms Of represep-
tative government.
Hitherto the strike has been en-
ployed by workmen against their en-
ployers." he writes. Ito enforce the
workmen's will regarding wages. hours
Of labor, etc. but IL the principle OF the
strike be admitted 1t may be used to
enforce the will of the workmen against
the majority in any matter. including
foreign policy or internal administration
Weapon OF Offence.
The strike is a weapon of offence II
| is a pistol at the head Of society. When
this pistol Is aimed any talk about eco
nomic laws or constitutional order il
out of place society must have another
| pistol for use II necessary.
II do not question the right OF or
a1ls Lab 60 h,F 10
| union rules such terms for their labor
as they choose to demand, but we are
confronted by a danger greater thar
! that Of Industrial compulsion. This
danger lies In the fact that society finds
itself at the mercy of an organization
which may be used to ruin the whole
nation.
IT view the situation with deep con,
Germ but not with alarm. There exists
| III -riIis nation d substrEturr or cUnrnur
sense which may resist the wiles of pro
fools they make mistakes, but WHIT
does not? They are the last who, Il
they understood the matter. would In
volve the nation in ruin.
There are signs of improvement. LIE
us hope they will develop, but We can
not be content with this hope. Societ!
must prepare a weapon of defence which
Will enable the community 10 say WIN
draw your labor as you will. but 20,
shall not impose upon us that We shall
be deprived of the necessaries OF life
We will supply your places and tn
necessary service shall go on
| Citizens Must Enroll.
Organization must be met with or
, ganization, force with what we may cal
the freedom OF force. Invite every citi
zen to enroll himself voluntarily as I
freeman, let him engage in case of nee'
upon call of a defined authority to serv'
in any way within his capacity to main
tain the services interrupted by tn
strike. Let every one who Is prepare
to resist tyranny. be he rich or poor, oil
or young, male OF female. offer his ser
vice according to his capacity in cas-
! of need, some for organization and con
! troll some for skilled work on the rail
roads or wherever 1t is necessary.
Organizations exist which alread
are acting In the direction which poin
out. These may form the basis OF wha
> I contemplate. but this force must knoN
nothing of politics or classes. Patriot
are wanted, not politicians; common in
3 terests, not class distinctions. tn
I weapon suggest does not exist at pres
ent; II ought to be brought into exis
= snce before II is too late; its very es
a istence may stay the evil 1t is designe
4 to reach.
9 concession after concession by whic
4 the nation and Its citizens are con
a mitted TO expenditures in excess OF pre-
r duction cannot be allowed to continue
[ tho ultimate outcome must be the closin
n Of factories, the ruin of the country
:. trade. the cessation Of employment"