Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-09-06

i
multiplicity of conflicting forces it is
almost impossible to satisfactorily an
alyze the present situation. 1t is quite
plain that our difficulties are both So
cial and economic; that many are di
rectly due to the war, and that many
Others altedate the war. Social unrest
and threatened crisis Just before
Germany precipitated the great con
flict The desire of the working class
for better living conditions was the
handspring of that crisis, and it was fur
ther stimulated by the determination
to curb the monopolistic tendencies of
the times. In other words the object
of the pre-war crisis was a more equit-
able distribution of wealth; and the
war did not stop his movement. but,
on the contrary, distinctly intensified
it. The war, moreover, immeasurably
confused the situation by an unpre-
cedented destruction of life and pro
perty which left startling scarcity
of both labor and commodities. The
present work of reconstruction is there
fore handicapped at the start by con
fusing combinations Of psychological
and economic disorders, for which there
is no possible cure except through a
tedious courte of industry, economy
and forbearance. All selfishness in the
form of profiteering, or of excessive
wages, or of lessened production, or of
extravaganza will simply delay recon
struction and aggravate bad situa-
tion.
The. Labor Outlook.
President Wilson gave the railroad
men some sound advice, which they
seemed reluctant to accept. He told
them plainly that higher wages and
shorter hours would inevitably raise
and not lower the cost of living. He
showed them it was more important to
raise the purchasing power of wages
by increasing the product than to make
fruitless efforts to offset higher costs
by higher wages. 1t would seem that,
while radical labor refuses to learn
these homely truths except by hard
experience, conservative and non-un-
ionized labor is more or less inclined to
accept the presidents advice. One
thing is certain, labor is gradually but
surely losing former public support by
its present extremes; and radicals, bent
upon policy of rule or ruin, are sure
ly riding for a fall. There is no ques-
tion whatever about public opinion be-
ing overwhelmingly against extreme de-
mands. These facts doubtless have
much to do with current belief that
the threatened strikes if they material
ize will prove failure. At this writ
ing, the outlook happens to be more
assuring, and labor leaders are evil
IDENTIFY moving cautiously, fully aware
that the public is weary of strikes. Ap.
parently a more conservative policy
is in prospect, especially since the re-
turn of President Gompers from Eu-
rope who though aggressive on the
side of labor, is not only opposed to
the socialistic element, but is also too
shrewd to go so far in his demands as
to invite failure Out of the present
crisis better and more satisfactory
methods of settling labor disputes
should arise. There is no reason why
such questions should not be subject
ed to negotiation, just the same as
any other business transaction. Dis
eussion, arbitration or appeal to the
courts, should take the place Of such
barbarous methods as intimidation.
strikes, loekouts and force. Profit
sharing, representation in manage
ment and other panaceas have their
advantages; but no peace on either
side is possible until both parties are
prepared to meet on the basis of the
square deal and mutual consideration.
or live and let live.
This is not time to strike for
higher wages and shorter hours. The
thing to do is to increase production
by working harder, even if the work
ing day is longer, which will automat-
ically reduce the price of necessary
commodities and increase the purchas-