Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-23
a Freak Decision in Kansas

i
1 over the wire yesterday. there came
three items, from the North, the West and
the South. widely separated in locale yet
each significant in its bearing upon the in
GuStrial eYOlution-if not, indeed, revolu-
tion--through which this nation is passing.
From the West comes Il court decision that
is frankly revolutionary should it be up
held by the higher courts, to which un-
qucstionably it will be taken. From the
South comes news of an industrial expert
ment that is little short of Bolshevist, even
IL undertaken with the consent OF the en-
ployers, while from the North comes the
only item which gives fresh hope for the
real American spirit OF cooperation be-
tween capital and labor, and cessation OF
hose disastrous strikes which have on
many occasions all but wrecked industry.
The Topeka, Kan, case is the most Strik-
Ing, the most alarming. There the. judge of
the new Court OF Industrial Relations SO
bitterly fought 1T its inception by organized
labor. led by Sam Gompcrs. has ruled that
it is the duty of capital, after il has i'll
vested IN an essential industry to keep its
mills and its factories i'll operation TO the
extent of caring for its skilled and faithful
employees, no matter whether or not it is
operating at a loss. Under that ruling
should it be upheld, the owners of q fac
tory, for instance, its operation begun in
prosperous times, would perforcc have to
continue operation when il fell upon tnan-
c:ally evil times, merely for the sake OF its
employees, who otherwise would have to re-
main idle or seek jobs elsewhere. The deci-
sion is SO nanifestly unjust, so revolution
AIRY, so inimcal TO invested capital and so
inimicai To labor itself, that the conser-
rative element OF labor, organized or un-
organized, will have no sympathy with it.
Il in1;
or legislative, that have come ont of Kan
sas. 1t is so un-Amcrican in tone and in
tent that il will not stand the test OF sound
Judicial review Should il stand capital,
III Kansas al least. will pack its grip and
so elsewhere rather than be bound 10 a
future that il cannot forctcll.
In the South, at New Bern. ~ c., en-
ploycs df the New Bern Iron and Supply
Works have refused TO accept Il reduction
OF 20 per cent i'll wages, and, further. they
have refused To accept the word OF their
employers that the reduction is necessary
to avert financial disaster and closing
down of the plant. Obstinate in their re-
iusal. the plant has been turned over to
them Tor operation for demonstration of
now TO do what they claim can he done in
IN" way OF profits. II is possible thai the
experiment may succeed, but nj best il is
dangerous tendency. this thing OF GUST
ihs responsible capitalistic control for
what is nothing short OF sovietism Should
/ ii prove an isolated case. il might be dis
missed with little thought, but, whatever
the result, it is going to prove the fore
runner OF many similar demands on the
part Of labor, with an effect upon rcspon-
sihlc capital that must arouse grave appro-
| tensions.
But from New York comes a reassurnr
] note. There ii is announced that the Penn
] sylvania lines have reached an agreement
| with their $4,000 union trainmcn that pre-
Guides the possibility OF future strikes, and
I mat the plan is likely TO be adopted on al,
! The great trunk lines. The PENNSYLVANIA
K IN common with other trunk lines. has hecn
. surieitcd with strikes. and the same NAV
. nc said OF their organized workmcn Real
! Xing the futility OF such repeated indus
! TRIAL cataclysms, the railroads and the work
! men have gotten together In the true Amer
iChn spirit and agreed To settle their diff
entities after the American fashion of give
and take. Other industries will come IN a
similar wise decision some time bur fire,
The 8o!shevist influence must be wccdcd
pu' ana the courts clcansed OF freak Judges
such rs the one who sits in the Industrial,
relations Court Of Kansas.