The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-07
LABOR'S SIDE OF 1T
Emporia Delegation Explains oppOsi'
ton to Allen BIZ.

From all over the state have come
to Topeka delegates to voice the OPP
position of labor organizations TO Gov
errfor Aliens labor program now pend
ing in the legislature. Emporia's dele
cation of five or more brought
memorial to Lyon county's delegation
in the legislature, which reads in part
as follows:
The labor problem is not one of such
local concern or character as can with
advantage or prOpriety be dealt with by
the limited Jurisdictions of individual
states, but like questions of commerce,
finance, citizenship and foreign relations
federal government 4 contrary policy IL
sure to result in confusion and chaos at
home and might involve US in infringement
abroad, as California came near doing
some years ago when she undertook to
handle a properly national matter.
I'VE stand opposed to the proposed law
because it embodles the autocratic feature
of executive appointments. instead of the
more democratic method OF election by the
people, which power If by chance We were
to have an executive of too limited scruples,
might give an undue advantage TO rich
employers and work injustice to their help
less employees.
I'VE think such law inadvisable at this
time because of the united opposition to
1t by both capital and labor which, by
reason thereof, may so seriously affect pro
auctions adversely to cripple some of
our necessary industries, and at the same
time endanger tee peace and quiet of our
tlaI industries continue under private con-
troll they must have large liberties cap
ital will take flight on the one hand and
there will be unrest among the employees
on the other hand.
again, regarded from labor's point of
view. the measure seems so uDtimely. II
to stop proflteering and to curb the greed
and oppression of capital. labor might have
accepted it with good grace as 4 natural
element in the evolution of our civil insti-
buttons; or If such bill had been pro-
posed years ago when labor was struggling
with might and main to get from under the
feet of capital, it might have been well
coined as an uplifting power and a staff
to lean on while labor was getting breath
for its struggle for world democracy; but
to convene the legislature in extra session
now that labor is already on its feet. and is
rapidly gathering strength to dispute the
mastery OF capital, seems too much like
a camOufIage behind which capital might
operate to the disadvantage and injustice
of labor
it proposes to disarm labor of its hereto
fore only weapon, the right to strike as
last resort. thaS mas proven or erect in
wrenching from capital a decent com
petence, and by which labor has won for
itself that show of comfort. respeetability
and culture we now enjoy; the right of
collective bargaining by labor has been
of such long standing among all English
speaking nations of the world as to take
its place as an element in the common
law Of our land that is sanctioned and
fostered by our federal government and
philanthropists. who see in the uplift of
the masses the highest function OF a gov
eminent and the greatest glory of n nation
Its antithesis, the right to quit work
whether singly or collectively must
therefore follow as a natural sequence that
labor will cling to with a like tendency
that our forefathers held to their right to
carry fire arms, even hesitating to adopt
that greatest of all civil documents, the
magma charta of our liberties, until as
sured OF Its early incorporation into our
federal constitution as an amendment
thereto which was done at the very first
constitutional convention"
The memorial is signed by c. Garth
and Fred Baysinger.