The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-05-10
HAVE AVE FOR UNION LABOR.

HAVE AXE FOR UNION LABOR.
1t is not of especial moment that
George P. West writes an article.
1t is not OF especial moment that
The Nation publishes an article
written by George p West.
Mr.. West writes pieces now and
then and The Nation is continually
publishing pieces OF nature pleas
ing to the kind of people who like
the kind of pieces Mr.. West writes.
The Nation is a monthly publica-
ton published in New York. It
stands well with all of our most ac-
tive pacifists and is doubtless one of
the chief delights of that little
group Of serious thinkers so we'll
described by W. J. Client as 1.-The
fitful, fretful worshippers of the
cult Of Something Else
But when The Nation advertises
in all the leading newspapers that it
is printing an article by George
Wost answering the question
whether 1.-The Gompers rule" in the
labor movement can survive the
June convention, then the matter
becomes Of some slight interest and
it may be, we'll to pass a rsmark or
two.
Mr.. West puts forth these peculiar
thoughts:
1t is improbable that the dcfec-
ton from Gomperism and Wilsonian
democracy can be stopped by any
thing that Mr.. Gompers and Mr..
Wilson can do, at least by their con-
troll of the Atlantic City convention,
if that control should be estab.
lished."
Mr.. Wilson's proposed labor pro-
gram can do no more than strengthen
Mr.. Gompers position and weaken
the demand for a national labor
party"
Today the most important in
dustrial movements" are entirely
"out Of the hands Of Mr. Gomp4rs
and his lieutenants."
Mr.. Gompers had to be "dra-
gooned" into the movement to Or
ganize the steel industry and Sec
rotary Morrison was only a t:ifle
less unwilling
Mr. Gompers "strenuously OPP
poses" the secession clothing work.
ers' organization.
And so. Mr.. West concludes his
little piece. 1T is not too much to
say that already the leadership OF
the American labor movement, so far
rs it has any leadership, has passed
from Mr.. Compers and his little
group of ultra-conservatiyes at
Washington"
If George West lived in Russia
he would be classed with the Gin
tclligentsia. Likewise, if he lived
in France or Germany. he would b.
among The "intellectuals' this term
being applied to those who write
and teach or lecture, not by virtue
Of actual intelligence of intellect,
but by virtue Of occupation of pre-
:ense
In those countries the ''intelli-
gentsia' has considerable Influence
in labor matters, contrary to the
condition in the United States.
1t may be we'll in passing to note
that the labor movement in Russia
Is noted chiefly for it's absence. UNI
less the Lenine montrosity may be
called labor movement: the labor
movement in France is surpassed in
point OF weakness only by Japan
among the great powers; the labor
movement in Germany was a char
acterless, government bossed frame
work that crumbled into supine
Acquiescence with the kaiser's mar
auding program.
The "intelligentsia" has always
had great deal to say in Russia.
France and Germany. The state
ments made by Mr.. West in The
Nation indicate that his ideas about
labor movement would suit admir-
ably the non-labor *'intelligentsie"
that has played such a prominent
part in those countries.
Mr.. West thinks it doubtful if
Mr.. Gompers and Mr.: Wilson will
control the Atlantic City convention.
This being a profound reflection
from mental sphere wholly un-