The Republican journal., 1919-10-02
A DANGER SIGNAL

tPAIEItR Sl1ISSL
The occurrence of frequent, widespread
and, in some instances, formidable strikes
has caused thoughtful and patriotic people
to fear that we are rapidly approaching
national crisis. They fear that we are
about to face the question whether this is
to remain a government of the people, by
the people, for the people, or is to become
a government of the people by a class for
class. In other words, they fear that 1t is
soon to be decided whether We are to be
ruled by the government established by
the fathers or BY commune Whether
we are to become Russanized or are to
continue to be Americans. The writer
shares in feeling this fear He goes fur
Their than that and has no hesitation IN
saying Tn al the Ship of State is drifting
Driftug2 Yes, worse than that, 1t is be-
ing driven by a rising storm, out on an
uncharted sea. This is not the wall OF
pessimist nor the sophistry of partlzan
1t is the truth. When 49, 600 people en-
poved IN the silk fabric industry struck,
it was not serious matter AS far as we
know, no great moral Principle was vlo-
lated Neither was it considered as
serious economic matter, except locally,
because the people of this country can
get along without silk fabrics until these
strikers get ready to return to work.
~
from an economic view point, because it
delivered the city, for a time, into the
hands of rioters, thieves and gun men 1t
was doubly serious from moral view
point because the strikers had each taken
a solemn oath to maintain law and order
to the best of his ability. When associated
labor everywhere failed to condemn this,
it trailed its banner in the mud.
Then followed the strike of the steel
workers. This was serious not only by
reason of the large numbers involved, but
by reason of the fact that in case of the
suspension of these mems work many
other men. not steel workers, who were
anxious to work, would be forced to be
idle, not having the materials with which
to continue 1t was vastly more serious
because the reasons given on the one
hand, in Justification of the strike, and
on the other hand because of the reasons
given by the steel companies in defence
of their attitude toward the strikers.
These reasons are so divergent and the
workmen and employers seem to be SO
thoroughly determined on fight to
finish, that we look for long struggle
and fear that within three weeks, more
than half million men will be Idle and
many of them will be riotous on account
of this one strike. Now comes the official
announcement Of the United Mine Work
ers OF America that they will strike Nov.
/, unless they can have six hour day,
five day week, a 50 per cent advance III
wages and pay and half for overtime.
If this demand is no granted by the mine
owners, and the strike is made, then the
crisis which we fear will be here. Mining
will almost entirely be suspended, before
lle Winter is IdI aIN duCtu lHOuSdliQS VI
mills and factories will be closed for want
of coal millions of people will be idle,
tens Of millions of people will suffer from
cold and hunger, and disease will reap a
harvest OF death. This is a gloomy pic
ture, bit ev-ry employer and every work.
man " no has sufficient mental vision to
enable him to see that which lies beyond
his own prejudices and his own selfish
ness. must admit that the picture is not
overdrawn.
Both employers and workmen in all
great undertakings are organized, ex-
plot ng each other and the people at the
same time, The clock has struck the
hour when every man, woman and child
in TINS great country of ours, who feels
the pulse of patr otism beating in the
heart, who loves humanity home and
1atherland should unite 10 avert nat