The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-08-09
|LADOR'S PATH
POINTED out
Ben TiIIett Appeals to Class 10y
atty and Patriotism in
Present Crisis.
REAL ISSUES ARE MANIFEST
Nation First to. Restore Economic Or
der VIII Be Winner in Struggle for
Trade--No Time Now for Expert
ments In Anarchy.


Ben Tillett. English labor leader.
writing recently said: There Is a
secthing discomfort. but at least to
have our grievances mishandled by a
set Of vicious anarchists, in sympathy
with. or in the pay of. the central
powers, would be the limit of stupid
ity and credulity. The whole econoIn-
ic and industrial as well as political
world Is in melting pot, and the ma
ton which first puts itself In order
will be the first to win and secure eco
nomic advantage over the other ma
tons less disciplined and organized.
1T is fatal to forget that Germany,
with it's habits of discipline and slav-
ish adherence to system. is the same
Germany in industry as in war. All
the leading organizations and leading
men representing working class inter
ests have ruthlessly backed up the
worst atrocities practiced on our sea-
men and on our soldiers, and on the
stricken areas Of France. The pres
ent president himself encouraged u
boat warfare, and Scheidelnann backed
up all atrocities, the military and the
junkers, with assiduity. The same
Majority Socialists have ignored even
the ill-advised and sickly sentimental
Berne conference, with its mockery Of
representation.
tNNhn two 10 Fnr
supplies, for food, transport, will
break down eveA the glorious senti-
ment of patriot SIN, and strange as 1t
may be. the crazy creatures who have
no country ale the deadliest enemies
to their own. Labor has most to gain
by class loyalty,> by patriotism, by
love of country, and all that industry,
power, wealth, comfort, and happiness
mean is wrapped up in patriotism.
ut is distressing to think that all
we have done is to allow incompetent
politicians of the labor ranks to talk
and sidetrack the real issues of trade,
Of industry, and of trade-union organ
ization.
Strikes, uncertainty of action, linn
tied and vicious circles of action, can
only result in greater gain to the cap
italist. who will not starve but will
fleece even his weaker brother rather
than go under In the struggle for ex-
istence."
The coal miners of Australia have
demanded rs per cent increase in
wages.
Montana sets the highest minimum
age tsixteen years. at which child
Is allowed to work.
Bank clerks in Switzerland are now
receiving so per cent more in wages
than they did in 1914.
Italy has nearly 100000 trade
unionists affiliated with the various
trade unions in that country.
Wool spinners, cloth folders and
carpet spinners at Lawrence, Mass,
are 100 per cent organized.
The Bricklayers' union of New South
Wales has demanded an increase from
S3.40 to $4.13 day and a 44-hour
week.
Around Cranbrook Center, Alberta,
there are a number of lumber camps
employing $500 men, with a payroll of
$4,000 a day.
BY ministerial decree, the work
ers on the italian railways are grant
ed an eight-hour day with one day Off
duty weekly.
Indiana Is one of IL states having q
law prohibiting the employment Of
women at night in at least one group
of occupations.