Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-10-01
THE BIG ISSUE As SENATOR WATSON
SEES the SITUATION.

Times reports former Senator
Clarence w. Watson, head of the
Consolidated Coal Company of this
State and man Of large wealth, as
giving a Notwithstanding and
forceful interview which reveals
him to the people as thinker
whose views are we'll worth the
mature consideration of every man
seeking the truth and who desires
TO reach correct and righteous con-
illusions. The excerpts we publish
today show that Mr.. Watson has
been doing some hard thinking. He
is reported as saying:
The most important political
question before the American peo-
pie. today is Reaction VS.. Prosres-
Sivism. Without. wishing to be SEN
sational. say with ali sincerity
that l believe the spirit Of unrest,
the fermcnt of discomfort, is SO
broadcast in America that if the
business interests and the conSer-
Vative element are FOOLISH enough
TO try 10 return to the reactionary
days we will have an industrial
revolution.
believe that it will follow if
Harding is elected. The peope of
America love her, love her with a
wonderful devotion. but they most
strenuously object to being manipu-
lated for profit by the standpat, re-
dictionary element.
The high cost of living has arous-
ed much resentment among the poo
pie, Mr.. Watson was reported AS
saying, and for this they blame
''capitalistic CONTROL" and, further:
The spirit of rebellion against
the ruling classes is widespread,
and the people are in no humor to
turn the Government over TO a party
that represents the interests nor TO
a man whose record plainly shows
where he stands on the labor ques-
ton,
am as much opposed to radical
ism as any man in America, but |
do not think that the way to cure
the evil is to try to cram reaction
down the peoples throat. l have
carefully, not from a partisan stand
point. for i am an American before
1 am Democrat. / have weighed
them purely from business and
patriotic standpoint, and | find Cox
If elected, will have a tendency to
allay this discomfort, and that HARDY
ing's election will greatly increase
ii.
Again the point was made that
there is basis for the unrest and
that the remedy lies in finding and
curing whatever is amiss, rather
than trying 10 stiflc complaints by
stupid repression and reaction:
There is a reason for the unrest
that is spread throughout the world,
and that at present threatens Amer
lea. So much smoke does not arise
where there is no fire. 1t behooves
us to remove the cause, not to add
to the flames, which. in my opin-
ion, will turn into conflagration
unless we do.
.Zkys in America. who would de-
sfroy with ruthless hands the very
foundations of our liberties. These
things will come unless we rccog-
niZc the progressive spirit of the
age, the forward-looking movement
of today, and go with it. The pco-
pie are in no mood TO return to
complete capitalistic and reaction
airy control, and if they break away
from 1t they will go much further
than their common sense, good
judgement and patriotism would
lead.
The platforms Of The two Doliii-
cal parties treat the whole question
of the relations between capital and
labor, which MIR. Watson considers
the most important issue of The day,
In much the same conventional and
platitndinous way. But Mr.. Wat
son, as reported, sees great diff
ference TO be expected on the ques-
ton from the characters and rec
ords of the opposing candidates.
He was quoted as saying:
Cox has been Governor Of Ohio
for eight years. During that time
he has made good on this very
point. He has held an even balance
between labor and capital. He has
the confidence of both sides of The
question. Labor is pleased with
Rim, because of the laws nc has put
on The statute books for their pro.
lection.
The true story of how poor, at
tackled miners Of Pcnnsylvanja
crawkcd across The Ohio line Tor