Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-09-20
URGES TRUCE
TOEND WARS
OF INDUSTRY
Palmer Appeals for Ar
mistice to Solve u. S.
Economic Problems.

Freeport, Pa, Sept. 20.-An alb
solute Industrial armistice for six
months was urged by Attorney
General Palmer here today to per-
NIT the solution Of economic prob
lens arising out of the changes
wrought by war.
Such a period of freedom from
unrest, he declared. would result
soon in increased production which
would bring about an era of "easier
living and better times" for all.
On the other hand, the attorney
general warned selfish demands by
anyone class cannot stimulate the
national propriety or permanently
benefit even those obtaining such
demands by force. He strongly
discountensnced strikes.
Holds Strikes No Cure.
Labor is asking a larger share
OF the joint product of money and
labor and there is much merit in
the claim" he said, but the chance
of getting 1t is not advanced nor
the justice of it more widely rec
ognized by the refusal of labor to
produce"
The campaign to reduce the cost
OF living, which he is directing,
evidently was foremost in the at
torney generals mind in his
speech delivered at a reunion of
the 18th regiment of Pennsylvania
volunteers, which also was a home
coming celebration for men who
served in the world war. He said
that although many problems be-
set mems minds in these days of
reconstruction, there is none which
cannot be worked out Gin the gen
eral interest" in a government
where the people are the only
rulers
Must Regard General Interest"
But, unless we shall be salts
fed with that which is for the gen
eral interest,"" he continued, and
do not insist upon that which is in
our own particular interest, there
will be trouble and delay in the
settlement If men could only
learn to be patient under these
conditions, a more accurate esti-
mate of the possibilities of the sit
uation can be made, all our prob
lens will be sooner solved; but il
impatience and selfshness shall
rule and immediate forceful or di-
rect action be taken, it is perfectly
obvious that nothing but disorder
and delay can result.
Crying Need for Peace.
The crying need of the world
Just now is for peace, and not po-
litical peace between governments
alone, but industrial peace among
men also. The things for which
men fight are never settled while
the war is on. An armistice must
come; heads must cool and anger
must spend itself before men can
sit together and know what is best
for themselves and give due con-
sideration to the rights of others.
''If we could have an absolute
Industrial armistice in America for
six months; IL both the necessary
integral parts of capital, that is,
both money and labor, would be
active and content in the problems
of production; the busy peaceful
days would soon yield a spirit
which would make it possible for
men to solve the problems which
now confront US. Labor is asking
a larger share of the joint product
OF money and labor. and there is
much merit in the claim; but the
chance of getting II is not advanc-
ed nor the justice OF it more wide
ly recognized by the refusal of
labor to produce.
Idleness No Panacea-
'Idleness is no panacea for the
MS from which the country suffers.
Work may be. The cost of living
is only enhanced by the idleness
Of men; it can be reduced by the
industry of all. Other
remedies may bring US part way
on the road, but they will never
bring US the whole distance. These
should and will be ap-
piled, but the most effective cure
that can be desired will be the gen.
eral acceptance by all our people |
Of the golden opportunities of this |
great land of plenty for all who |
give the best that is in them"