The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1919-02-04
AMERICAN LABOR STANDARDS

AMERICAN LABOR STANDARDS
Indications from Paris that there is
going to be talk Of an international labor
bureau only serves to emphasize the dec-
laration of Frank Morrison, secretary of
the American Federation of Labor, that
what we most need in this country is an
American standard of labor.
1t would seem sufficient unto the di-
plomacy-o of one peace conference to de-
bate such matters as the freedom of the
seas and leagues Of nations without seek
ing to classify and card index every hui
man activity. There is in the air feel
ing that the Versailles conference is
about to box the compass for all time on
all subjects.
Has human understanding reached the
ultimate and has each emotion exercised
its full energy so that we may now tab
ulate the observations and thus regulate
conduct for evermore? From cursory
examination of the purposes of the peace
conference it is well within the realm of
possibility. sle
There is a good deal of International
Ssm in the air and not all of it is confined
to speculatons on future neighborliness.
A great deal of it is being fostered by
bolshevists who propose neighborliness
that will not be entirely genial to those
who have been in the habit of earning
three square meals day. An industrious
man is not fit material for bolshevist pro-
selyting. And it is the Industrious men of
the United States that Mr.. Morrison
seeks to safeguard, if we read his
thoughts Alright.
Let bolshevist internationalism insin-
uate itself into the workings of a world
conference and we shall forthwith be-
hold a democracy far different from the
sort we sought to make safe. Talk of in
ternational brotherhood is most COM
mendable as applied to the dealings of ma
tons if it will keep them out of wars such
as we have just seen. But it lacks genu-
ineness when it strikes at the individual
ity of this nation or at the right Of indi-
viduality of each person in it.
The league of nations no doubt will be
very chubby affair; but we would be
very sorry to see our American front
door thrown open and the KEEP lost for all
that. We still think we have some family
matters to attend to and we don't believe
we can make much Roadway with all the
neighbors intruding.
If, in our American family, we are
able to effect standard of living that
shall insure to each man, woman and
child, good home, plenty of food and
clothing, amusements and recreation, we
will have accomplished all the standard
ization that this side of the Atlantic can
subscribe to. We have our American
standards of life to build a n, ionalism
to sustain.
Fraternity and equality and liberty are
good things to agitate where they are
needed. Our best way of carrying on
such agitation is to be the living exam
pie. But because, for half century, we
have sought these ideals, we fail to see
wherein we must now sacrifice any of
the fruits thereof to supply sudden de-
mand for an internationalism
Let us get tangled up in European
standards of labor and our reforms will
be lost. 1t is doubtful if the world has
any more business talking about stand
ardization than community of cave
dwellers proposing the organization of
symphony orchestra. First let us learn
to play something. Chicago Tribune.
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