New-York tribune., 1919-02-26
British Premier Puts Mean
ing of State Ownership
Into Concret Form
Defiance Is Revolt
Union Leaders Do Not Like
the Situation Developing
From Coal Miners'Dispute
By Chester NJ. Wright
Mem York Tribune

Mem York Tribune
European Bureau
copyright 1afa. New York Tribune Inc.>
LONDON, Feb. 25-Premier Lloyd
George went before the House of
Commons yesterday with bill calcu-
Isted to prevent the threatened coal
strike and the consequent disruption
OF British industry. He brought into
concrete form the idea that has been
growing in the British mind for some
time. meaning state ownership of in
dustry, under which to strike would
mean revolt and revolution.
strike against private employer
is just strike, but a strike against
the state is defiance of the states
authority and means revolution.
have talked to some labor leaders
who do not like the situation quite as
we'll at close range as they thought
they would. What will happen when
portions Of society revolt against the
state? That is what is worrying labor
leaders, who are not sure about their
liking for the present situation and
its outlook.
One Flame of Illumination
There has been only one great dra-
matte incident to illumine the way
That was the French railway strike in
1905, when Premier BRAND made SOL
diers out of the strikers and marched
them down hill again and back to work.
The British government is trying
right now to prevent coal strike. The
coal industry is under government con-
trol and operation. If there is a strike
il will be a strike against the govern
ment Private employers can admit
defeat, grin and bear it. But whether
the state can admit defeat and hope
10 retain its power and prestige is an
other thing
The best opinion seems to be that
there cannot be strikes of any magni-
ture under state ownership or control
of industry at any rate not if the gov
eminent as we know it to-day is going
10 exist.
In the judgment OF level-headed men
with whom | have talked there appear
two courses. The first of these means
the pursuit of government control or
ownership policy, with the setting up
Of machinery sufficiently effective to
democratize industry to the no-strike
point, which Will mean the reduction
Of the whole wage system to ruin and
the inauguration of something entirely
new.
The Elimination of Profit
If there is characterization of indus
try to the no-strike point it must mean
the elimination of the profit feature of
industry, together with the elimination
Of all individual voice and direction.
The other course is complete re-
action from the present trend toward
state ownership, which means going
back to the system Of private supremacy
70 industry The national Industrial
coasress is nor free from the same
criticism loseed at the system of state
o"-ittni--N a. & NNOie, IOr IL means lne
bringing of all industry more or less
ander government control and by indi-
feetlon giving the government a voice
ln,the whole field Of work and produc-
tim and loading upon it by virtue of
hat fact new and great responsibility
This means responsibility for maintain
ing constant production, and response
ohty fo- giving the working people
me conditions of life they are de-
trimmed TO have.
The situation, as viewed in England
lends strongly toward state supremacy
ID industry, opening the way to the
comment Of many labor men that state