Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1920-07-26
ALABOR VIEW.

A union labor newspaper At Cedar
Rapids, the Tribune, carefully, and we
may say candidly, analyses the Re
publican and Democratic platform dec
larations on labor, and finds that both
are unsatisfactory to organized labor.
What the Tribune says may be accept
ed as the Judgment of the more con-
sentative and intelligent among work
ingmen belonging to unions and for
that reason is very significant. Its
editor senses the increasing opposition
to strikes and lockOuts in industries
that serve the public and which must
he operated to insure the lives and
health of the people. We believe the
Tribune presents the case fairly. 1t
says:
Having defeated Mr.. McAdOO who
was viewed as the hope Of that element
In labor that is found among the rail
road men, the democratic party now
goes before the people with a man Of
high character and who will vie as to
personality with Mr.. Harding, also Of
Ohio, likewise candidate above per-
s0nal reproach The campaign there
fore must he fought out along party and
platform lines.
"a careful reading of the labor Sec
lions in the platforms discloses but
little from which to choose. AS a
trades unionist OF intelligence remarked
in our presence, eliminating the parti-
san phraseOlogy and party names no
one could distinguish as between the
sections pertaining to union labor if
left to perusal without Identification
This is true. Both recognize the prin-
ciples underlying, declare in favor of a
peaceful settlement Of wage disputes
when pertaining to transportation and
basic Industries upon which are depend
ent the welfare Of the people as a
whole. Both oppose compulsory arbi-
tration in the attainment Of industrial
peace in other differences between EN-
ployer and temploye. Both. favor or
ganiza ton and collective bargaining
Upon injunctions and other sections of
the platform of principles as submitted
by GOmpers both are silent. Both re-
fused to condemn the Cummiris- Esch
measure under which the railroads
were retuned to private ownership and
operation. The San Francisco
bespeaks for it a fair trial.
Their opponents took similar action
Not word or line is found in either
platform I'M which aflusiOn is made to
the Plumb plan that is the particular
fetish of the railroad organizations,
but which has not as yet found great
favor with the remaining millions of
trades unionists of other crafts and
callings This in brief is the platform
of the two major parties. None can be
found, even our able leader Mr.. Comp
ers, who can advocate choice between
the utterarices In the matter of pre-
cept, taking their late official utter
ances as matter of guidance.
"If the truth be told bluntly, both,
while desiring the vote Of the Orga-
niZed workers, are yet more fearful
of the reactionary influences that would
come as result of an OutspOken bid
for that vote Political ears acutely at
tuned to the nations pulse have convey
ed the information that those outside
the ranks of organized labor are at
present hostile to any declaration that
may SAVIOR of caterance to class or
elemental strength in society. This is
due to Industrial disturbances that
have discomforted the public to the
resentfni stage within the period since
the ending Of the war. Legislative de-
mands upon the part Of the train SER
vice brotherhOols that resulted in the
passage Of the Adamson act at the out
break OF the war caused the first
widespread wave Of hostility that has
spread with each outlaw strike until
throughout the length of the land and
in every city, this included, where un-
ion labor has been fair and big and
broad in it's acts, there is to be found
outspOken dislikes and open opposition.
The answer is found in the party plat
fors that cater, as political parties and
leaders will ever cater, to the majority.
Those who advocate n third party or