The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1919-03-14
(By Mathew Hale. in American
Federationist.)


Organized labor in this country
is facing a grave crisis. During
the war it achieved much for it
self and for the men, women and
children it represented. In the
irst place, it became clear for the
;rst time to everybody that Ia
lor, and particularly organized Ia
Dor, was an essential part OF a
fighting democracy, and that the
great war for democracy could not
be successfully waged without the
active cooperation of union LABOR.
In the second place, there arose
during the war better spirit OF
cooperation between labor ana
capital than ever existed before.
This was due largely to the will
ingness of each to sacrifice for the
good of the country as a whole.
In the third place, wages ad-
vanced and consequently the stand
ard of living among wage earners
advanced.
Is labor going to hold what II
has gained? This depends absolu-
telv on labor itself, and particu-
larly on the leaders of union labor.
If labor does not act now and act
constructively, it can not hold what
it has won. A policy of doing
nothing at the present time will
be fatal for labor. Already many
war industries have closed or are
closing. Already thousands OF SOL
diers are being demobilized. Indus
tries are hesitating to spread out
into new fields and are actually re-
ducing their normal output. Unem-
ployment is increasing daily. IT
this situation is allowed to con-
tinue. one of two things will sure
lv happen: either there will be a
general reduction in wages, and a
CONSEQUENT reduction in the stand
ard of living among wage-earners,
and a loss of all progress made
during the war; or there Will be
resistance to reduction in wages,
hunger among wage-earners, Bit
ter friction between labor and capi-
tai. denunciation Of one class by
another, and an economic turmoil
that will breed anarchy and defeat
the legitimate aims of union labor.
Labor and labor's leaders can
not and will not adopt this do
nothing" policy. They will surely
plan constructively to avoid being
put in the dilemma outlined above.
The one chance, is to develop and
create new work-work which Will
help the country as well as help
labor. There are four great fields
toward which these efforts should
be directed:
1. American industry should be
encouraged to go into foreign trade,
thus broadening our markets and
making sure of steadier produc-
tion and less fluctuations in labor
demands. Ultimately this will be
of great value. Immediately 1t will
not help much, because our indus
I1A iIIS nH
work at once. Trade must be built
up gradually.
2. Public works should be plan
ned by the Federal State and City
governments to bridge over this
approaching crisis. This Will be
extremely valuable as temporary
arrangement, and can avert disas-
ter. 1t does not, however. offer a
really satisfactory career to the in
dividual workman-does not give
him the necessary incentive toward
the improvement of himself and
his family. 1t is not permanent
enough.
2. Regardless of the ultimate
solution of the railroad question,
everybody agrees that many per-
manent improvements must be
made at once. Labor should insist
upon this, not only for itself but
for the sake of the general public.
This again, however, does not Of
fer a permanent career to the la
borer, though it is extremely valu-
able as a temporary expedient.
4. The one plan that has been
suggested that seems to meet the
combined need of immediate action
and the real possibility of advance
ment for the individual is Secre-
tary Lanes plan for opening up
our unused land for the benefit of
the returning soldiers. This plan
should be enlarged, of course, so as
to include the men who have been
working in the shipyard and muni-