Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-03-31

in nts national and international as
pect is an economic one.
Relieve the economic disturbances
and the unrest of the country and of
the world vanishes Unrest prevails
because the pocket nerve Of the peo-
pie has been touched.
The need is urgent because the
heavy hand OF the high cost Of the
necessities of life, clothing, fuel shell
ter and food bear upon all the people.
Abraham Lincoln advised the
American people against swapping
horses in the middle OF a stream, yet
in the Congressional election of 1918
they substituted, a Republican Con-
gress for Democratic Congress and
events now disclose that the Ameri-
can people have paid a terrible<price
for this exchange of political leader
ship.
The Republican Congress has been
weak. tinld and inefficient. No re-
lief has been given the people, none
has even been suggested.
With great questions pressing for
determination and the people Of the
country restless and oppressed the
present Republican House and Senate
have either not comprehended it's
duty to the American people, or il
they comprehended, infatuated by an
almost pitiab!e lust for complete
political ascendency. play the oppor-
tunist.
Political expediency is now the
watchword and the pressing needs of
government are considered only in
their bearing upon party success.
The Republican leaders move as
trained stratigsts and play upon the
passions of men and have appealed
! 1.-THE strong sentiments Of race and
class to advance party success.
, Fearful lest some class race or
group be lost to the Republicans the
| business of the country is neglected
and Congress marks time until after
the fall elections.
! Remember, always remember this
when you place responsibility for the
unrest and discomfort prevalent that
! tne law making function of the Ma
| tional government is and has been
Tor over year in the hands Of the
! Republican party
/ There was time Of great leader
snip In the Republican party which
every man, however partisan, must
ADMIT. That time is past both in the
State and Nation.
Then big men lived simply and
democratically. now little men rattle
and strut around in regal and baroni-
al mansions.
one hears that the only thing
hat disturbs the present Congress is
that the right to send out garden
seeds will be taken away.
Industrial Unrest
What remedy has the present Con-
sfess for the industrial unrest in
the country: None. The great
problem Of social and industrial I'M
rest must be met and answered.
IL comes mainly from two causes,
namely: the high cost of living and
feeling that labor has not received
, It's fair share Of the wealth which if
creates. Labor achieved during the
war an independence which it had
! never known before and capital
never before made such large re-
J turns. Labors part in the great war
was extremely complimentary.
some basis of agreement between
capital and labor must be developed
and some method of adjustment de-
vised when labor troubles. exist or
/ impend.
Inc Old understanding and its
practice between these two great
/ groups has proven unsatisfactory
/ The relation between capital and
iNor In its public aspect is the most
uefcate qeustion that has arisen in
America since the Civil War Vari-
our solutions have been proposed but
congress Is slight on the great ques-
ton. The great danger comes in
creating any system Of adjustment
which is not voluntarily submitted to
by employer and employee.
The coercive powers Of the gov
eminent should only be exercised in
an emergency and no worker in
| times of peace should be compe,Ied
, to work against his will This right
OF labor should be violated only by
! the right of the government to nre.
serve itself and to protect the citi.
+ zen from irrcparabie injury and sur.
fering.
If the time ever comes in America
when the worker Is compelled bv
coercion to work against his will the
seed OF revolution has been sewed in
fallow ground.
The greatest publicity is desirable
IN labor trouble because the public
sense almost unerringly the right
ana wrong of controversy and
when public sentiment crystalixes It
YIELDS a tremendous influence for a
Just determination. Few wronR
causes can withstand an aroused
public sentiment. A great resnonai.