South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-10-20
LABOR CABINET
IN BRITAIN NOW
A POSSIBILITY
Political Writer Believes ii
Must Recognize Liberal
Influence to Succeed.
BY FRANK Du.NOT.
wcm-Known BRITISH Political writ,

dously increased power and 40 the
same time. secthing from one cause
and another. peoples minds are be-
ing more and more directed towards
the possibility 81 a labor cabinet and
a labor government I'm the early flu
ture. Such prospect would have
been received with "A smile only six
short years ago. In many quarters IL
is still received with "a smile bu the
smile has little nervousness in it,
AS a matter Of fact a labor gov
eminent is within the bounds OF pos
sibility within a comparatively short
time. The temporary obliteratiou OF
the old liberal party. the strange
mixture which constitutes the pres
ent government. the breakup of the
unity produced by the war. and,
above all, the waves OF feeling
among labor throughout the country.
have produced situation which
may very well lead to the labor
members being the strongest individ-
Ual group In the house OF commons.
This means almost inevitably the
formation Of a labor cabinet And
indeed. with the direct actionists'
lighting for control against the con-
stitutionalists OF the labor movement,
IL might happen that a labor majority
in the house OF commons would be
the alternative 10 revolution.
Paper Programs.
The very phrase labor govern
ment" frightens a good many peo-
pie whose thoughts Immediately fly
TO all kinds Of wild impOssibilities,
their vision. But a labor govern
ment would probably disappoint
msny and delight others by being
pretty much he same as any other
government in its general actions.
OF course. it would have on its pro-
gram naturalization OF big indus
tries and many interdependent mea-
sures, out this program, like the
program of al new governments.
would be on paper. 1t Is a very diff
ferent thing 10 talk of ideal politi-
cal propositions and to put them into
effect. In the first place a labor
majority in parliament would Ger
tainly be faced with a strong OppO-
sition, an opposition which would
include some OF the best political
brains in the country skilled in pub
lie AFFAIRS. expert in parliamentary
craft. and fully determined on some
general principles.
Would Split.
In the second place, the labor
movement itself would Immediately
be split by schism, because the inc
vitably moderate courses OF those
who were placed in responsibility
would be taken as traitOrous ny the
hot -heads of whom there woIld be
a considerable number. The initial
difficulties OF a labor government
thus become obvious straight away.
But they are initial difficulties only.
There are others even more power
ful.
The machinery OF government in
this country has been built up care
FULLY and laboriously BY generations
OF effort. and it cannot be changed
I'M less than a generation. This great
permanent machine OF government
which politicians have 10 operate,
would impose an automatic check on
reaIly violent changes.
Curbing Fiery Ideas.
There Is still a further general
ronsideratiOn-nam that the
great responsibility resting on the
new labor cabinet would most GER
tainlv produce an attitude Of mind
not at all in consonance with fiery
evolutionary ideas. Ministers would
re simply forced TO take into account
he welfare Of all grades of society.
and the necessity OF encouraging the
business heads OF the nation. TO take
out two examples. Highly creditable
Emotional ideals with regard Tea OBJ
.ious injustices here and there
would have TO find their proper
place in "A survey Of the welfare and
happiness, not of the men. women
md children in one section. but of
he men. women and children of all
.ctions throughout the country.
Who are likely 10 be members OF
ne first labor cabinet if IL should
come 20 pass that We have labor
ministry?
Labor viii inevitably have 10 draw
on its biggest minds i'm all the move
uent without regard 10 prejudices
aroused during the war IL will
have to do this. not only because 10
Uill want the very best material for
IT'S greatest task, but because it VIII
be necessary 10 unite all parts OF
Inc movement in general support
That is why ] include names which
az drst glance may seem a little
surprising Here rs my list
Prime miuister-Arthur Hender-
son.
Chancellor OF the eNchcquer-J. r.
Clynes.
Home secrctary-Johr Hodge.
Minister for war-G. r. Roberts
First Lord OF the sdmiralty-Stu
ard Burning.
President OF the local government
board-Ramsay Macdonald.
secretary Tor Scotland-G. y
Barnes.
secretary for ireland James Sex
ton.
President Of Tie board Of trade
e. W. Bowcruau.
Secretary for India w 7 Davis
Minister for health Frank Hold
dcs
Minister for colonies T.