The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-27
DOMINION UNREST
DUE TOLIVING COST
Expectations That Wars End
Would Lower Prices Have
Been Disappointed.
IRRITATIoNs I'M COUNTRY
General Strike in Winnipeg
Caused by Arbitrary Con-
duct of Few Men.
Special co--sspondence to TIE sux.

DUCT OF Few Men.
Special corrsspondence to TIE Sun.
TORONTO, May 26.-At the bottom OF
much Of the present labor unrest in
Canada are two or three facts and con-
ditions which, although they are appar-
ent are not wholly easy OF solution
There is. first. OF course. the failure to
hnd relief from the deadly high cost of
living. AL expectations that the end of
the war would ind a slump IN prices
have been disappointed, and the actual
rise OF prices in a number OF essentials
mas caused bitterness among those who
DO not stop TO think the thing through
FIRST or all there 10 the demand for
ROOD Tor Europe and the natural result
that prices in the home market are
forced up to European levels or In some
cases beyond. This Is the economic
penalty OF waste and unproduction by
millions OF men The worker whose IN
come 10 stationary or lower is apt to
turn to any expedient TO overcome this
situation. His period of idealism for
the salvation OF an oppressed world IL
ABOUT over and he is looking after his
Wl0A-
spread idea that the world can never
return 20 old conditions ana that the
common man must now have q greater
measure OF Justice than before
study OF the strike news in the
oaiIy papers creates an Astonishing
mental mosaic Of consciousness of little
irr1tatons throughout the country.
Here we have factory working nine or
ten hours while other workmen in the
SINE INDUSTRY get through in eight
hours AZ another point workman on a
canal have twelve hour day and IN
their anger say that the hydro-electric
system has reduced lighting costa for
ontario. but at their expense. Tn. tha
hmelight is being turned on the iittle
sore spots everywhere, and at this mo.
ment there Is great scurr,-ins ana hean
shaking IN an EFFORT to find peace and a
measure Of Justice.
Strike in winnipeE.
The other day the proprietor O, a
larse nat factory took fright and, with
OUT oelne asked. granted a forty-four
hour week TO his employees. Other lttle
local troubles are being settled in the
same way. Only here and there are n
Dc observed labor leaders OF the reyolu-
tionary type on the one hand and en-
pioyers OF the reactlonary school on the
otner. which makes II difficult TO get to-
eether. The general strike in winninep
resulting in 10000 workers quitting was
the result of the arbitrary condnct of
three or four men who would not con-
ceoe the eight hour day or meet their
employees representatives.
everywhere among liberal minded
peopie there Is an acceptance of the
new order that unions are here 70 .tsv
ana that collective bargaining Ia the
right OF employees. The situation ia
oistincty reminiscent OF that nonn-
lar play, "Muestones," which toured the
word tew years ago. Every one re-
members the reluctance OF the Older raw
Grafton to accept new conditions ana
now the play impressed the sadness n,
this phase of life.
mere are right now in This city and
o,her cana dian cities wealthy, capable.
out exceedingly stubborn captains of in
oustry who say they win run their oun
business in their own way and are a.
most ready to defy the world. sonns n,
'hese enterprises have great cash re-
serves: and were not the pressure Of
puoho opinion 40 strong they would
probably go on indefinitely with closed
factories. In fact, some OF them GOV
thAt with an uncertain market for that
product they would just as soon take a
Iolls TeSt as NOT provided they could re-
Snin their old ideas of IA Glory control
ne next Jew days or weeks, however
VIII make lot OF history in this con.
nection in the economic side OF tbis
H
strong Commission on N Tour
There Is a strong and representative
! tiuustTlAi relations Commission now on
tour in Canada. and on II are renresen.
TNtnh 10 -,
iaoor. The commission is doing GOOD
work, but il is doubtful II II can sct
quickly enough. Among the complaints ~
iaoor addressed TO this body, besides the
COST or living, is the demand for the gen
eral recognition OF unions In Soma !
cases the local unionists have been 80
bitter against the present order of so
ciety that they refuse TO testify before
the commission; but in the coal mining
secuon or Alberta the revolutionarIes. |
VINO come from large foreign element
working the mines there, were quoted |
as boldly declaring that they would |
soon nave the mines in their own hands. |
This brings up the whole question Of |
the allen population which has stirred |
so much resentment among returned |
soldiers II is quite true that aliens |
had fat time OF IT during the war, |
because many OF them-being exen,nt |
rs aliens from war service-found |
ready employment at making munitions |
AZ fabulous wages Since the arnnIstIcA |
they have been, In many cases, out Of |
employment; and. having little or no |
stake in the country are ready to cause
as much trouble as possible. II would |
be wrong 10 say that they are wholly |
responsible for the general strikes now
n progress or threatening IN the coun- |
ny, hut they are mainly the cause. as
any mingling with labor crowds IN To- |
ronto, Winnipeg or other cities now
What should be done with these
aliens? This is a most dificult ones
tior. No one can deny that their work |
On munitions was valuable and neces-
sary 10 the safety of the Allies but. as
heir instincts of citizenship are lack
ing. or very low, their presence now is
another matter. And yet, II they are
aeported from the country 10 relieve a
temporary situation, who is 10 do the
rough work when business again takes
On big swing?
Played Most Strenuous Part.
These men have played most strenu-
Gus part In pioneer construction work
away from the great centres. where the
important arteries Of COM
nerce have had TO be laid out and that
work will sooner or later be resumed
the economic needs OF the
its great debt, and the demands
'or production, require much Drawn as
we'll as brain in the coming years. II
he population be reduced by a few him. |