Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-02-11
The Unrest OF Labor


| GROUND in Great Britain has not proved
VI fertile soil for the seeds OF Red terrorism.
There is every evidence that the nnarchistic
program OF general revolt against law and
order which engeudered the strike in Eng
land was moro far-reaching than appeared on
the surface. For few days it was prom
Used measure of success, but the innate good
sense OF the vast majority of the working
men and the stern attitude of tho govern
ment were sufficient to check it in its in
cipicncy. For tho present at least the trouble
is over, but there certain to be recur>
rences, which must be met with equal stern
ness, and there will be occurrences until the
noxious seeds Of anarchy arc stamped out
America to-day is facing conditions not
dissimiar to those in Great Britain. From
! the Atlantic to the Pacific Coast there is
tremendous labor unrest. In the West the
labor situation is acute Thousands upon
thousands Of workers have been or
strike, most OF them laying down their tools
for so-called sympathy" without just cause
or complaint. and in deliberate violation Of
labor's agreement with the government. 1t
is TO the credit OF labor that many OF its
leaders denounced the inauguration of
general strike, and have used their infu-
ence to induce the men to return to their
Jobs. In the East the situation is little less
alarming, and every branch of industry seems
about to become involved in q great la Dor
revolt.
1t is difficult to analyze the attitude of
labor at this time although there are SOW
era contributing factors Just how far the
influence OF Bolshevsm has permeated it's
ranks cannot be determined. 1t is certain
that there is q carefully prepared Red cam
paign, in some places bold and defiant, in
others skiIlfuliy disguised, afoot, a part OF
the international program. 1t is finding adj
herents, but probably not in sufficient num-
bers to give particular alarm il it is handled
wisely. The sound common sense Of Amer
lean labor is too well grounded to permit it's
ready conversion to anarchistic ideals. How
ever. the foreigu-born element presents
ready field for the terroristic propaganda, and
it must be watched with increasing vigilance
The chief cause without doubt has nothing
to do with international problems condi-
lions, but is a product of war, and has it's
roots in the great period OF reconstruction
this country. capital and labor alike, is un-
dergoing. 1t was too much to hope that the
war could be ended and the countrys indus
try, with its high war wages, shifted back
easily and without disturbances to its peace
time basis. Capital has been found no more
prepared for such lightning change than
was labor. AS the process OF readjustment
goes on, one phase will succeed another, each
will present its own peculiar difficulties and
some, perhaps, will present grave dangers.
The present labor unrest is one OF these
phases, and it will pass as the sound, sober
thought OF the masses reasserts itself.
Labor, however, owes it to itself to weed
out with relentless hand and as quickly
as possible those 0rebrands who acknowledge
no nag except its color he red, and know
no creed except that of force who are max
ing insdious efforts 10 influence and finally
control it. American labor has no sympa-
thy with tho tcrrorstic cult, but it must keep
Its ranks clean. Only in that way lie the
complete harmony and cooperation between
capital and labor that make for safety and
prosperity.