The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-06

and a half men to that body of rail-
way employees who instituted this
movement.
"In the Industrial development of
this country great organizations OF
capital first appeared as employers.
individual WORKERS. following the ex-
ample set by capital, organized as en-
ployes. Their purpose was to secure
better working conditions and larger
measure of return for their labors.
The full force of capitalistic organi-
cations has been set against labor to
hold and to keep all the profits of
industry. The strength of the labor
unions has been exerted to wrest from
capital some share Of the profits for
the wage earners.
Old Eight Changed.
This has been a perpetual struggle
by the workers to maintain a toleraDl
standard of existence; on the part OF
capital to amass greater profits. AT
times both sides could ignore the
needs of the public. But now the very
growth of the labor organizations has
brought into their ranks a great mass
OF the consumers. The large number
of the wage earners now constitute a
large percentage of the people. The
extension of industry has changed the
nature of the previous struggle.
For whatever the worker receives
in wages he must spend for the nee
essaries of life. In addition. he is al
ways compelled 10 pay the employers
an excessive profit on his own wages.
No Hope of Finer Life.
The cost of his living is deter
mined by the sum he earns. plus the
profit he is charged on his own labor.
And, as "A group labor is forever pre-
vented from lettering its lot because
of the profits exacted by the employ
er, the hope of a finer life is never
realized. So long as consumers are
forced to pay extortionate profits on
their own earnings to n third interest
there is no solution of the industrial
problem.
absolutely controls and dominates the
management of industry. 1t fixes
wages and controls working condi-
tons; it fixes the prices OF 'commodi-
ties without regard to the needs OF So
ciety. or the necessities of producers
and consumers. We have a demo-
cratic form of government but an
autocratic control of industry.
Demand Industrial Freedom.
1--WE exist under government, but by
industry we live. Under such a sys-
tenn the majority of a democracy can
thru their government enjoy only such
rights and privileges as an autocracy
in industry permits them to receive.
who brought within its boundaries re-
ligious freedom. 1t was established by
their descendants thru revolution as a
land of political freedom. We now
demand that it become the home of
industrial freedom.
This can only be accomplished by
extending to industry the same right
of individual freedom Recognized by
the founders of our government in es-
tablishing this democracy. The need
of mankind for the products of indus
try must be accepted as the basic in
terest in all industry. The right of
the workers who supply that need de-
mands like acceptance. This can only
be achieved by permitting producers
and consumers to share in control of
the management of their means of
existence. The machinery for attain
ing this result we believe is embodied
in the plan outlined in the Sims bill.
"Our belief in the efficacy of this
plan is profound. We embrace this
plan with all the ardor of those who
sought political freedom. In this plan
we raise the banner OF democracy in
control of industry, we advance to a
new crusade with the faith of the pill
grims, with the convictions of the
trainers of the constitution and with
the hope of America for economic in
deDendepce