Norwich bulletin., 1919-09-26
Action and Reaction.


 Action and Reaction.
 Mr., Editor: Anything signed by A B. Lincoln is always interesting ana worth reading. When engaged in temperance work no one could equal him in a polished and convincing ad- dress on prohibition-hence, his re- cent homily in The Bulletin merits more than passing notice.
 This letter of his seems to be an explanation of or apology for the wretched attitude now existing in the labor unions of our country. and an attempted solution of the same on the principles of natural science. or and reaction" at the same time lay ing down as an opinion that action and reaction are equal
 As matter of fact it is we'll known in mechanic that action and reaction are no such thing as equal, but that for the very obvious reason that a proportion of the force is absorbed by the object against which the re- bound takes place.
 The cushion of the billiard table-to use Mir. Lincolns lustration-takes up it's portion of the blow-so that the reflex action is just so much less every time the ball defects from it's primal course. This is no secret and does not rely upon a theoritic definition for it's demonstration. In very few movements the ball comes to rest, having practically exhausted its entire fund of action.
 MT. Lincoln's application of the am alogy in science. however, shows that the labor organizations are going to extremes in an effort to get back at capital, which means that the reac ton, as he deems it, is out Of propor ton to. it's cause. Indeed this goes without saying. for there never was anti-bellem or post bellum, when labor did not receive. in this country a higher compensation than in any other country on the face of the globe This is the da ta for comparison, and the true test for consideration Fifty Or sixty years ago. man who had a shilling a day in the old country. one dollar per day-equal to four shillings-and if he was willing to lives as frugally as he had been accus- toned to in his native land, he could shillings-and this he did, until he had fund sufficient to bring here his parents or brothers and sisters to en- joy with him the blessings of this promised land and ist greater remum- erations. Of course. he did not ex- pect to revel in the luxuries of turtle soup and venison to be fed with a gold spoon, and after an honest day's work of ten hours. he slept as sound ly on a frame bedstead as we do now on a polished brass structure, and a hairspring mattresses, such as kings and princes did not possess even in his time and their day. There is no objection to these modern improve ments. but the curse of us is, that they do not refine us and that we are neither satisfied nor made happier be- cause of them.
 I confess to have no practical so- lution for these social discuietudes. We read many propositions offered as oJrrti cn1x- selves into this syllogism: 'If capital would do so and so, and labor act such and such, wise, the whole trouble could be adjusted and this sides-all men. did as they ought there would be social difficulty. no social problems to be solved. In the language of MT. Lincoln's summing for the ideals of peace as they now are for the delusions of war, social conditions will get a fair chance. Yes, but when will that be?
 Our trouble now does not come to us from those who endured and died for the ideals of war. but from the slackers and the units. who have ben cited by the war, and who have be- come bold and insolent and violent because of the increment Of wages that has come to them through wars awful extremities. and that while oth- CT men gave their lives. offered them selves to their country at thirty (3o) dollars per month; these latter are dissa tisfied with thirty (S30) dollars per week with compensations for any trifling accidents that may come to them in the course of their employ ment. Men who do not blush at the very thought of such unpatriotic in gratitude are beyond hope of recovery, and are objects of commiseration. not to use a. harsher term.
 JOHN TROLAND.
 Sent 1n1o.