The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1920-07-16
FOOD FOR THOUGHT IN PLUMB PLAN
LEAGUES WEEKLY NEWS LETTER %
Labor Asked for Bread and Received Stone

| nor secure raw HldleTldlS W heep
their plants going.
Industry is tagging everywhere.
Agriculture is stagnant. The banks
are in terror. Congress is taking
vacation land apparently nobody in
Washington gives ay serious concern
to what is likely to happen to US
because of our utter stupidity and
folly.
Worry for Candidates
Labor's reaction to the Republican
platform was as quick as it is i'm
pressive. Samuel Gompers, speak
ing for more than 100000 organ
lied workers, has declared that the
Chicago convention "has turned its
back on labor" Of the fourteen
planks that were presented as the
sum of the workers aims and aspira-
tions, but one was given any con-
sideration.
Republican congressional and state
candidates are execrating the party
leaders and the party platforms for
putting them in position where they
are unable to defend themselves
atty. The producers are organizing
an effective non-partisan campaign
to impress their views upon the ma
tional election, and in many districts
congressman who are seeking re-elec-
ton find that they are going to
have the hardest kind of uphill
hauling to gain the ear of their con-
stitutuents. If they repudiate the
party pronouncement, they will get in
disfavor with the national leaders,
and if they accept it as written they
will be in disfavor with the voters.
Quick to take advantage of the
istitution, the workers and the farm
ers have undertaken to force out in
the open all candidates who are striv-
ing to capture the so-called labor
vote. They will be faced with their
records, where they are available,
and those who heretofore have been
long on promises and short on per-
formance will be requested to step
forward and state plainly, without
any frills or furbelows, just where
they stand on questions that are of
primary concern to the toilers.
The most encouraging phase of the
political situation is the eagerness
and unanimity with which the work.
ers have accepted the challenge of re-
dictionary platform declarations. The
old shibboleth of party fealty has
lost its punch, and this year, as
never before, voters will vote their
convictions and forget their political
labels. 1t is of slight significance
whether a candidate is a Democrat
or a Republican or what-not, but it
is supremely important whether he
&c a rnaotinnarx II lool1
ing citizen, with well-defined views
on pertinent political issues and a
fair conception of the task that is
to be confronted by the nation and
right solution evolved before we can
expect to have peace and tranquility
and due recognition of the rights of
those who produce as we'll as those
who consume.
Coal Famine Immenent
The coal mines are today producing
less than Is per cent of their normal
capacity. In some sections miners
are working but one day a week.
Shortage of cars is given as a rea-
son for this condition. Desperate
expedients are being employed by
the government to improve the situa-
ton, but they are Intellectual. The
railroads are unable to supply cars
to the mines and in consequence, the
mines cannot produce coal. The
manufacturers are pleading for fuel
in the most favorable month of the
year for production and transporta-
ton. When winter comes we will
have empty coal bins and, in the
opinion of competent authorities, a
famine that will bring with it real
hardship and suffering.
Yet an official of the Federal
Trade Commission declares that were
the cars available efficiently employ
ed mines could have a hundred per
cent. allotment and there would re-
main reserve of 15 per cent
against an emergency. This esti-
mate allows each car twenty days to
make trip from the mines to des-
tination and takes into consideration
the proper repair of equipment.
The railroads, under private man.
agement, simply will not and cannot
make intelligent use of cars. The
only solution is unified control, and
that implies government ownership
From any angle, private transporta-
ton is an anachronism. 1t would
not be tolerated were the American
people aroused to the gravity of the
existing situation. That spectators
and bankers may play with the rail-
roads, the prosperity of the nation is
imperilled and the comfort and per-
haps the lives of the people become
mere pawns in the struggle.