The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-08-12
is DEMOCRACY A FAILURE?

is DEMOCRACY A FAILURE?
One might be pardoned for asking
this question after studying our dem
ocratic government and the manner in
which our politicians, which includes
95 per cent. of the men who seek of
flee from president down to constable,
cater 10 the vote instead of to the
right. When few organized laborers
can dictate to congress and force the
adoption of such bill as the Adam
son law, which became law under a
democratic administration when the
democrats had the president and full
control of both houses of congress one
need not wonder that 100000 rail
road laborers threaten 100,000,000
Americans with dire calamity unless
congress again does their bidding.
The elephant that stampedes at the
sight of mouse has nothing on the
average office seeker when threatened
with the loss of the votes of a certain
labor union, or this or that organiza-
ton. He becomes panicky and cow
ers with fright.
That is the reason that such deep
interest is being taken in the Irish
question, the Italian question and
various other questions that do not
directly concern the American people
But the members of congress become
panicky when the Irish or Italian
voters in their district demand that
they support the Irish or the Italian
claims for recognition for the Irish
republic" or to give Fiume to italy.
Irishmen or a few hundred Italians
In his district, forgets all about the
thousands of Americans in his con-
stituency and demands what the Irish |
or the Italians ask him to demand
1t will be thus as long as the con-
gressmen and senators and presidents
and governors and other officers de-
pend upon the vote. No particular
blame attaches to the individual. 1t is |
the system that is. at fault. If the
individual stands for Americanism the
chances are ten to one that an I'M
scrupulous political opponent may
cause his downfall at the next election
by catering to the foreign element or
the organized labor vote and letting
orleans, go to the party candidate.
We cannot point remedy, even
though we see the evil of the present
system and know that it is wrong
"a F. "a
1.-THE TYRANNIZED" 95 PER CENT
In this country 1904, 7O1 individuals
ing to recent compilation. The fig
ures seem surprisingly low, in view
Of the power welded by labor unions
and their general prominence in in
iustrial life, and probably with the
tendency toward organization which
is now in progress they are consid-
srably under the correct figures. Of
his country of some lot 100000 peo-
DIE about 33 per cent are engaged in
some form of agricultural pursuit,
about 81 per cent in manufacturing
md mechanical industries and per
.ent in transportation. Suppose we
reat the above figures for member
hip of labor unions as too conserva-
i've and say that some 100000 are
of organized labor unions,
still is apparent that less than
er cent of the country is debating
D this country what wages shall be
aid in particular industries, what
ours shall obtain and there is abso-
ztely no visible check to their de-
lands.
1t appears high time that the con-
umers of this country organize
here is available body here that
'mprises 100 per cent of the people
this country. Ample means are al
lady at the disposal of the govern
ent to check profiteering by CAPT
lists 1t is recognized that the alb
,rmally high wages paid in GER
rtain organized branches of industry
e responsible for much Of the high
st of living. If we are ever to
eek the advancing tendency of the
st of living it is time that profit
ering by labor be investigated and
ecked, if the results of the investi-