The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-03-03
A SERIOUS SITUATION


 
 Great Britain is facing serious indus trial situation. The parliament of workers which is being held in London represents a force which cannot be dealt with lightly or overlooked. As Lloyd George has stated, England is facing crisis in the industrial life of the country. Whether or not this will de- velop into civil strife it is impossible to fore tell. It is safe to state, however, that there will have to be some pretty sound democratic governing to prevent it.
 In way, this parliament is an encourage ing sign. Out of the turmoil that has been prevalent for so long there is emerging definite shape, definite representation of labor, shape that has the power to present the cause of the workrnen, forcibly enough to gain recognition. This parliament has dele land, and is thoroly representative. It is meeting in London in an orderly, serious way, to show the government that organized labor is in earnest, that it is organized in way that gives it tremendous power, that its cause is just one and one that demands attention. This meeting is demonstrating to the govern ment that the people it represents are willing to go about the reforms that they deem neces- sary in an orderly manner But it is demon strating that these same demands for reform must be met reasonably or there will be trouble.
 The parliament is working for shorter hours and the privilege of determining cer- tain share of the conditions under which they shall work. All of the delegates are pledged to work for the government ownership of mines, railroads coastal and inland trans portation facilities and the industries The primary object of the meeting is to present these demands, backed by the tremendous or ganization of labor, and at the same time learn the position of the government regard ing their stand.
 They are going about it in the right way for when representatives of the working class of the people gather together in an orderly, so- Der manner, with reasonable cause for their demands, backed by the organization of the entire working people of the country, gov ernment that lays the least claim to being democratic must listen to it, or repudiate that claim. They are voicing the desires and de- mands of the people of the nation, and the government must give heed
 This situation is not alone in England All over Europe, and in America, there is this same unrest among the working classes. They are striving and reaching upward, en- deavoring to better their working and living conditions In way it is natural move ment, to be expected until some of the eco- homie wrongs of this generation are righted It is farther advanced than the corresponding movement in this country, for there have been labor troubles in England for longer period of years than in America. In this country there has always been more freedom for the worker in choosing his own conditions, for he has not been so bound by precedent and tradi- tion as in England.
 The situation in England is serious enough today to concentrate all the diplomatic and democratic strength of the government on the solution of the problem. The industrial parliament may be the means of smoothing the way before this settlement, for it seems to be a sane method for the workers to take to present their side to the entire nation as well as to the government.
 OVERHEAD EXPENSE TOO MUCH