New-York tribune., 1919-01-29
British Industry
Put to Test by
Labor Demands
London Fears Foreign
Trade May Be Crippled if
Wages Go Higher and
Working Time Is Shorter
Neo York Tribun
EMrOpedn BMredr

E~ff'NP'"''
LONDON, Jan. 28.-Events in the
labor world are putting the Industrial
fabric to q rather severe test. The
demands of labor have reached point
where, if granted, national economic
impotence in the coming struggle for
overseas trade will ensue. 1t is con-
ceded by all that if prices for COM
modltles remain at war levels or are
raised beyond it will perpetuate evils
which must enc before there can be
stability.
The trouble has it's root in the radi
cal transformation Of working condi-
tions during the war and the un-
realities then created. Employees Of a
certain class are ready to hold the
nation to ransom and are unwilling or
unable to realize the dangers under
lying their action. Luxury and ex-
travagance which sprang from the
great war profits, often unfairly dis
tributed, also furnish the groundwork
for agitation.
There is urgent need for return
to the more simple mode of living and
the realization by all people in all
ranks that the country has been i'm
poverished and not enriched by the war
Some Grievances Regarded Flippant
The need of maximum production to
make good the ravages of the last four
years and provide the means of re-
plenishng exhausted stocks is ignored
in the request for very high wages and
q much shorter working week The
assertion that output would not suffer
seriously as result of the fundamen-
tai changes demanded could hardly be
sustained Employers generally are
prepared to grant fewer hours and
other concessions, but some of the al
legged grievances are merely fippant.
Serious consequences may ensue
among all industries if the claim of
the South Wales miners for thirty
hour week and 80 per cent increase
over present wages is allowed Coal
production is the cornerstone of all
activities and coal exports the foun-
datlon CT much national prosperity,
providing outward freights and facili-
tatlng cheap import carriage by fur
rlshing ships continuous cargoes.
II exports are reduced in conse-
quence of diminished output and
nigh prices the cost of the movement
OF all ocean borne commodities will
inevitably rise. The country's export
trade has seriously diminished owing
to the concentration on war since 1914,
and rapid recovery is impossible un-
less all cooperate to bring about q
more normal situation.
immediate danger Of a widespread
disruption has been averted by con-
cessions to the Yorkshire miners and
engineers. but condition precedent
to the definite reestablishment Of in
dustrial harmony has not yet been
reached. Much agitation is fomented
over the heads of the recognized lead
ers of the labor forces by extremi It's
avowedly prepared to destroy the So
clal structure. and vigorous opposition
to their designs is needed.
Ready for Paris Conference
The legitimate trade union move
ment is imperilled by the syndicalist
action and Importance is attached to
the meeting between the par'iame ntary
committee Of the Trades Union Con-
gress and representatives of the
American Federation of Labor with a
view of discussing the question of de-
velopng an international trade union
movement. An agreement has been
reached and four British representa-
yves OF the best elements 2f the
Labor party have been selected to at
tend conference to be held in Paris
in the next few days France will send
a delegate and these deliberations
should exercise a steadying influence.
The subject of labor conditions is
expected to engage the immediate at
tention of the peace conference. and
Mr.. Barnes, the British Labor delegate,
speaks of the possible international
regulations insuring reasonable labor
standard throughout the world bv
eliminating competition with low wage
countries. This seems to involve the
formation of an economic league Of
fiscal equality, which is a difficult
problem.