Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-31
LABOR IMPERIALISM?

TNliOSE who really hope to see economic
- justice done in the United States
through the evolution of a better system of
ethics among men who work and men who
organize industries will prefer to believe
that it is not the Federation of Labor that
speaks in the astonishing document which,
issued as political guide book from labor
headquarters, Is clearly intended to swing
all trades unions into the campaign on the
side of Mr.. Cox. This open order to the
labor vote sounds more like the work of
headlong leaders still intent upon reckless
experiments with dangerous elements.
Let us suppose that the bankers of the
country, in a solemn session, should take off
their high hats and announce that all
bankers ought to vote for particular can
didate. Suppose that these bankers were to
say 1--WE are for this man because he al
ways gave US what we asked for. He has
one hundred per cent record for efficiency
in our service The country would then
have right to believe that we are no longer
u democracy, no longer either sane or lust
Inc qualihcation of a presidential candi-
date cannot be judged by what he does for
labor or for capital, for doctors or for law
yers, for the farmer or the industrial wage
Garner. If what the federation report saws
OF Cox is true then Cox for reasons best
known to himself has been consistent up-
holder of special interests. And if Presi-
dent is to be anything but misft in his
once ne should be a man who recognizes no
class and grants no special privilege
The Federation of Labor. which has bcen
earning an enviable reputation for sanity,
risks good deal by putting wreath on
Cox. Cox. we are informed. gave labor what
it wanted He is not praised in this in
stance because he was just or fair minded
or courageous or wise. The federation does
not accept him for any such reasons. 1t
does not Suggest that he is better qualified
for the presidency than Mr.. Harding or that
he might do as much or more than his op-
ponent for the country at large. "He
always voted for our claims - That is the
nub of the argument
So, because Mr.. Cox always voted for the
claims of unions and not because he is good
or able or just, the federation would give
him to the United States for the presi-
denCy.
We do not know what claims Mr.. Cox
voted for so consistently as the friend of
the working man. But he is credited with
voting right in all cases. Now, though
we have always been ready to admit thc
rightness of most of the claims advanced by
the federation we are not prepared To be-
lieve that any organization of men with ex-
elusive purposes of its own to serve can be
invariably right and invariably deserving of
help and sympathy.
Those who know politics and the prac-
tice of politics will perceive that Cox has
been no amateur Mt the game But what
happened to cause men like Mr.. Gompers to
permit their organization to become a tool Of
job seekers? Is this the way in which the
federation is to exert it's influence for
better order of society?
The outlaw strikes in Brooklyn and on the
New York docks and the attitude of the coal
miners who tried without success to "hold
stop watch" on the President would make
1t appear that one of two things has ham
pened. The conservatives in the federation
despite all their boasts of influence. are losing
mower or else they have drifted into the
imperial mood to go out for spoils as other
imperiaIistS have been doing for centuries
without any lasting happiness or enduring
success,