New-York tribune., 1919-09-22
The Issue

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On one side is a violent, intoxicated
minority. Under pretence Of advancing
the welfare of organized labor, it seeks
by revolutionary means to overturn
what is for the purpose, then, of recast-
ing the social order agreeably to its ap-
petites, pet passions and phantasles.
On the other side are all the rest of u.s.
The strike no longer represents
failure in economic adjustment between
employe and employer. 1t has become
instead a sinister, artificial thing, re-
source of disorganization, a means to
further ends, an ugly portent.
Take the steel workers. Never before
were they so we'll paid, both actually and
relatively. Their wages have risen
faster than the cost Of living, as simple
statistics prove Their hours of labor
are no longer than they were; the con-
ditions under which they work are rath-
CT DctIeI Clldu WOlS Sc, ISIllillS " I'LL
prove, not magically, but steadily. Yet
it is proposed in the name of these work
ers suddenly to paralyze Americas IN
dustry at q most critical time in our eco
nomic history.
For what?
Nominally, for better wages, for
shorter hours and for ten or twelve other
benefits A great majority of the men
suppose they strike for these things and
for nothing else. But the vanity Of
ambition is hard to restrain. 1t betrays
the case.
Fitzpatrick, chairman of the Commit
tee of Twenty-four, representing the
ton of Labor unions participating, gives
the true reasons. He says: eve are 60
ing to socialize the basic industries of
the United States. This is the beginning
of the fight"
We are going to socialze the basic in
dustres.
1t shall not be left to public opinion.
1t is not political question. 1t is
thing to be accomplished by right of the
power Of destruction which. twenty-four
trade unions have-or think they have
over the economic structure.
They cannot do it, This is not Russia.
The American majority, when pressed
too far, is the most ruthless and re-
sourceful majority in the world 1t will
take care Of itself. But it is slow to take
serious thought; it never takes measures
until something has happened to make
its blood run hot. That is why we are
actually in danger of coming to such a
struggle with the forces of unrestraint
as will be devastating to prosperity.
Conservative labor counses are treat
ed with increasing contempt. The head
of the American Federation of Labor is
liNdl anu HUli- DOISHeNlk, DuC Jno
American Federation Of Labor is
divided household. Destructive elements
are gaining sway. Mr. Gompers appar-
emily has not the courage to challenge
those who believe in direct action for
both economic and political ends and are
seeking to get control Of the labor move
ment-
A great schism seems inevitable, and
the sooner it comes the better, for mean
while there is utter confusion.
The American Federation of Labor
processes not to stand for turning the
police power into workers councils: vet
it does not denounce what took place in
Boston. 1t 'repudiates the theory and
supports the fact.
The American Federation Of Labor
processes not to stand for the "socializa-
tion Of basic industries"; yet it does not
repudiate the statement that such is the
ultimate purpose of the steel strike. In
stead, it supports the steel strikers.
The American Federation processes
not to stand for the kind Of happy, ire
sponsible sovietism represented in the
Plumb plan; yet the railroad brother
hoods threat to strangle the country un-