The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-12-29

1T prices could be raised so could wages. At least that was how the matter stood for the Worknnen. Un- fortunately, their demand for higher wages was accompanied by a demand for a siX-hour day and a f1ve-dav week, and this dual demand was complicated by an outside cry for na- tiOnaliSa tiOn
 The miners based their claim for 5o-hour week on the assertion that the average period of employment was already less than this. That, in fact, they had only worked an ave rage of 180 days during the twelve months preceding their demand In any case, they were open to negotiate on the question of wages and hours and they everywhere declare that no demand for standardization aD- peared in the terms submitted to the employers.
 This appears to have been an un- official reverberat- of the demand made in Great Britain, and it was utilised to promote prejudice against the men.
 The cry Of the State in danger aroused public hostility and brought an Injunction against the strike. and though many were for fighting the injunction the acting President of the Mine Workers Federation decid- ed to officially call off the strike. and trust to negotiations.
 The injunction is 3, weapon against the strike, which is not yet in op- erauon i'll Britain. It is brutalIy un- Tar and may some day involve America in grave disorder, Anyone who disregards an injunction may be committed to jail, not for striking or advocating a, strike but for contempt or court. He has no acceptable de- renee. He has offended against the court, not against the law The DOS slbIe consequences are so serious that never heard single American de- lend the injunction, qua injunction.
 Generally, they were against the strike, but they were equally against this particular method of dealing with it.
 The facility with which injunctions may be obtained owes much to the fact that many Americans, either through ignorance or malice, fail to differentiate between the Ira de Cnionist, the socialist, and the an- archist. They fail to see that neither of these may have sympathy or asso- clatlon with the other; that one aims at improving conditions of industry; that another aims at changing sys- leTnS Of Government. This failure to t;Ifterentiate promises deplorable con- sequences.
 Lack of recognition and considera- ton are already making many Trade Union officials turn their thoughts to- wards other methods, and there is a possibility of them, in their disgust and appointment, stepping to- wards the platform Of the extremists.
 While the American employer takes what is to an Englishman an in comprehensive attitude towards the Trade Unions it is only fair to say that many are ceasing to regard their wOrkmen merely as oranges to be squeezed dry. Everywhere they are considering, and starting, welfare schemes, and they are adapting the shop steward movement to their own uses.
 Training, recreation, and housing are now regarded as aids to ef- hciency, and America is out for 100 per cent efficiency. One employer who finds employment for 12, 800 peo- pie in one area has taken hold of the shop steward idea. All his in dustrial operations are graded, and every grade is divided into con VenientIy sized and situated groups Each group has it's steward or his equivalent. From these stewards a general authority is formed, and this in turn helps to provide an execu- tive of six. The employer claims that by this method he keeps an open shop and satisfied workers.
 In some places there is what is known as the vestibule school. In this school the workers are tested and graded and encouraged to pass from the lower to the higher grades of industry. This method may make good workers without making good citizens. The introduction of lib eralising influences is imperative if the latter and greater end is to be achieved.
 The mentality of the American has always made for production, now it makes for production pIus style and quality. Because of this development the shortening of the working day may affect production and price less seriously in America than in other countries.
 The American is out for money and leisure, but hs is much too shrewd to expect these t9 come by any way ex- cept of hard going during the time he is actually on the job. The will ingness to try new methods and ma also helps and may enable the workers there to go better than the Conference proposes, and of their own efforts secure the adoption of a 44-hour week.
 Shop prices offer interesting com parisons. Cotton goods already ap- pear to be cheaper, and if price is pitted against price they are bet ter Artificial silks are abundant and are said to retain colour and gloss after washing. I brought away samples of both cotton anr artificial 1 silk in order to experiment and test.
 The lightning strike does not ap- pear to be popular with Americans On the contrary, 1t is the proud boast of some Trade Unions, particularly of the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives, that they have broken q contract. Whether it is good or bad they honour it. If it is bad they seek to alter it at the proper time; | if it is good they seek to continue it or improve it.
 America has many important mat | ters crying for consideration and set tIement. She has her liquor, her language, and her colour questions, 1 her industrial difficulties, and the ir | @f