The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1919-04-10
BY Frank J. Taylor.
United Press correspondent

Berlin. March ~. (By man. -
Germany's workmen are not slipping
automa tically back into their former
positions like SO many round pegs
into an equal number Of prepared
round holes. The old theory which
used to travel the rounds Of the En-
tente newspapers that Germans were
efficiently transforming war indus
tries into peace industries and lining
up workmen for the jump-off at the
worlds commerce as soon as the
peace treaty is signed. is not work
ing out in practice. German lnten-
lions may have been better.
Interior troubles are largely hing
ing on labor The thousands or
worthless men who cannot find jobs,
and hundreds who do not want to-,
after four years Of army life, are
ready sources Of unrest. Germans
troubles with her workmen began be-
:ore the armistice was signed, In the
lays when Hindenburg's iron defense
suddenly cracked everywhere, and
each man made for home without
waiting to be demobilized. Labor
vas thrown upon an unready market
n enormous quantities,
For the most part, these millions
found jobs, though in every large
yity there were literally multitudes
Of unemployed, either Intentionally
Or unintentionally. Many became
:,oldiers Of fortune, either for or
against the government, and many
continue in this calling. Food con-
ditions, already bad, became much
worse and prices scared. To prevent
;tarvation in the streets, the pro-
yisionaI government allowed
amounts varying from eight to
fifteen marks to men, depending on
he families they supported.
This has become still greater
evil. Men who can draw twelve
marks Tor not working at all, would
not accept fifteen marks for work
ing. 1t takes lot Of good intentions
Tor the ordinary workingman to &C
cept a job digging snow off the Ber-
lin streets for three marks additional
a day, especially If he figures the
Fatherland owes him a good long
vacation, anyway, for the services he
rendered at the front. In this con-
lection it may be observed that
women for the most part swept the
snow off the Berlin streets this win
Ter, Just as they did in the past war
winters.
This workman's benefit has become
4 real danger for the government. 1t
:annot quit paying the money to the
voorhees, for fear of uprising Of work.
mems soviets. Once the government
tried and it had to give in under
hreats. Once the government tried
10 reduce expenses by adjusting the
payment for volunteer guards, with
he result that the government was
surrounded and had to continue the
1igh pay. The government may be
.stronger now, though it still is ap-
prehensive of adjusting the labor
problems and of making men go to
work. Workmen have learned the
use of force and the government
knows it.
Like all countries, Germany is
suffering under a movement to the
rig cities, where there Is less work,
ess food and more trouble. Still the
voorhees, stay where the music is gay
nd where dancing is the only thing
hat can be found in unlimited guam
titles. 1t is noticeable that in Ger
many there Is an extraordinary large
lumber of young men among the
voorhees,. For the most part they
are unmarried and irresponsible.
there seems to have been fewer
marriages in Germany during .-.e
war than in any other land. with
.he result that cities are flooded with
nckless dare devil young characters.
who have little aim in life as their
legacy from four years Of trench life
nd two more years Of military serv-
'ce in the kaiser's army.
The land in Germany needs men,
and the government already has
plans for supplying those who want
round from the huge estates that
have been confiscated. Though there
:, TODD and prosperity among the
farmers. the difficulty Is in finding
luen who will go to the land. A
Treat movement is being organized
nd a tremendous campaign is being
snducted by means of poster and
magazine pronaeanda. Germans who
IRE familiar with the labor problem
eel that this is a big step in the solu-
ZION of the workingman's situation,
II he will go to the country. 1t will
NCOulp Ils>ll (hS NcubiC pun pooO VI
eding the population and supplying
,'ork.
1t Is possible that the success of
This movement will change Germany
INTO an agricultural as we'll as an
ldustrial land.
In the industrial centers, especial
~ the Rhine!and. the problem Is one
-, securing both business and sup
rlies for manufacture. Factories,
armed suddenly into war produce
ZION or built for that purpose. can
rot be turned back to peaceful pur-
uits in q month. as they were turned
80 war. Especially is this true in
View of the dilapidation of most in
'str,es. 1t all hinges on the propo-
Ion that the Germans did not eX-
,cct to lose the war and made no
dvanced preparations for a peace
-ithout victory They expected to
We off the defeated, until industry
could be restored.
The last testament of the militar-
'e to the new republic is worn
1T industry, through which a GER
in class Of profiteers have become
ich, but which, as means Of giving
erman labor employment to make
living. depends entirely on what
clip the Germans can beg from the
"orld they have been fighting. Not