The Washington times., 1919-09-28
Steel Strike Will Decide
Future of RadicaLiSn1 In
RankSOfOr fOrganizedLabOr

that the unionists were not willing
to be led: rather were they deter
mined to direct the leading
Growth OF RadieaIism.
For the past year the growth Of
radicaIism in American labor have
gone forward swiftly and silently
II has developed IN the A. F. Of l.,
with the old-line leadership power
less to prevent il. There was no
manifestation of il at the Atlantic
City convention because IL was un-
mobiIized and not yet ready to act
Perhaps the first hint Of the real
swing OF labor thought came when
the Railroad BrotheThOOds thrust the
Plum plan before the country some
months ago. The American public
or at least a considerable part OF
IL. has not yet fully absorbed the
shock. for the simple reason that it
was entirely unprepared for il. There
had been no serious discussion in
this country about the natiOnaliza-
tiOn Of basic industries; as to the
term guild socialism, IL was enough
TO throw anyone not a long haired
BOIshevik into conniption fits.
Almost at the same week the Sims
bill was introduced in Congress the
report Of the Sankey Commission on
the coal industry was published in
Great Britain. The majority report,
signed by Justice Sankey and all
members OF the commission except
the COlliery miners, recommended
"that Parliament be invited to pass
legislation acquiring coal royalties
for the state and paying fair and
just compensation to the owners" It
furthermore provided a control which
was largely along guild socialist
lines-with labor having one-third
representation in the controlling
council, management and technicians
one-third and consumers One-third.
This program OF naturalization was
set forth by a parliamentary commits
sion appointed to consider the coal
situation; a commission not domi-
mated by any class or interest. And
at the present hour naturalization Of
the coal mines in Britain is all but
an accomplished fact.
- VIII Hear About Britain.
When Arthur Henderson, leader Of
the British labor party, and a man
who possibly may succeed Lloyd
George as premier, when labor over
turns the present coalition govern
ment In England, as il is certain to
do in the near future. visits the
United States next month, the Ameri-
can people will hear some facts about
labor policy in Britain and in Europe
which viii have a decided bearing on
the future OF industry in this
country.
1t is unfortunate that European
representatives are not to be present
at the White House conference next
week, to contrast the real cOnserv-
stism Of American labor with the
spirit which prevails abroad.
Following the British precedent,
labor is swinging boldly into politics.
Labor parties have been established in
several States, notably Illinois, where
the guiding genius OF the organiza-
ton is Fitzpatrick. The formation OF
these political groups Is done without
the pale Of the federation, for the
Gompers policy Is in nat opposition to
II. It is too early to speak Of the pol
icy that the Labor parity will pursue
or OF the strength IL will develop. In
the Northwestern States an alliance
Of the laboring forces and the farmers
already has been Effected, notably IN
Minnesota but this radical movement
has not yet crossed the Mississippi. IL
cannot be too strongly emphasized
that only true statesmanship in han