Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-11
DEMANDS OF LABOR
CREATE NEW ISSUE
Third Political Party May De-
velop From Present Indus
trial Situation.
DEMOCRATS ARE WAvERERs
Wilson May Lead His Adherents
to Radical Changes Advo-
Gated by Union Leaders.
ny ). FRED EssAny.

ouiSt Oh Faoicailsm throughout the
United States within the past two
weeks. state of mind that is mani
tested in the sudden demand from Or
ganized labor for the "nationalization''
Of the railroads. for government con.
troll OF the fuel supply Of the nation
and for government measures that will
reduce the cost OF living. has given the
oid-line parties in the country some
thing serious TO think about.
Moreover. 1t has convinced many
political leaders that new a!ignment
Is inevitable and that one o. the other
OF the existing organizations must
become radical TO a degree hitherto
undreamed OF. else a third party will
come into being wnicn will voice the
plans and policies of the labor element
OF INC nation. This element. of course.
socialism. but that is not at this
moment looked upon as a serious pros
pect.
y few weeks ago there was much
discussion OF third party dedicated
10 "nationalism." as distinguished from
"intcrnationalism." a few political
Leaders had given notice that they
would fight the league of nations to
INC extent OF creating new organiza-
ton for the purpose. IL neal be- But
th.s discussion rero!ved solely about
account any domestic crisis.
Based on Treaty Fight.
1t was predicated upon the assump-
tton that vast body OF American peo-
PIE were unSompromisinely opposed to
sinktng'up the fortunes OF this country
Republican party did not force the
issues in that direction. new party
would be formed which would do II.
Since those warnings were issued
-
forward for an answer which have
completely overshadowed the debate
upon the LEAGUE OF nations. The high
cost OF living II at the bottom OF all
these questions. and unless IL can BE
dealt with successfully there is no
toreseeing how far 1t may carry the
out repeatedly in these dispatches
neither of the old parties seemed 10
be conscious OF the dangers involved
in this matter until all at once the
sweeping demand for relief. II such a
thing were possible.
This demand found the administration
ana Congress equally unprepared. No
program had been worked out No
policies had been fixed In anticipa ion
OF the demands. Nothing had been
resourcetulness into play finally put
the executive departments in motion
and laid his plans before Congress. hut
this did not come until after the grea;
their teeth and began 10 exercise their
power by far-nung strikes.
Demand. Regarded GrnveIy.
Coincident with all this came the
further demand on the part of railroad
labor that the transportation system
OF the country pass out forever from the
control OF the railroad owners. AT first
this program created but mild scnsa
tion. but more recently politica! lead
ers have come TO regard il more grave
ly. They have begun to wonder what
will happen il Congress fatty rejects
such proposition and defies Ia Dor 10
The wartime experience of the ma
ton in government control and opera
ton OF the railroads and the wire ser
vices seemed a month ago 10 have
silenced ali those who had for wears
clamored for government ownership
of such utilities. This experience has
been unfortunate for every interest
concerned except that OF labor itself
The wage learners have profited by gov
ernment operation. They are making
more money than they ever made be-
them ever expected 10 make and they
find IL easier and more successful! TO
deal with the one boss than with 400
or more bosses. as in tho old days.
But moro significant than that is
the demand OF the railroad men tor d-
rect participation in the management
OF the properties.
Similnr TO British Demand.
This Is exactly what the grea, body
OF British labor is demanding. In
fact, the British Labor party. as par
ty. has committed itself TO such n pro-
gram, and the workers of the United
Kingdom are not merely insisting
upon voice in the management of the
railroads., but in the coal mines, the
shipbuild!ng business and many other
national industries.
The fixed purpose of American rail
way men 10 nave part in the opera
ton o. the transportation system
must become political question.
There is no way OF Keeping such n
proposition out of politics, whether or
OF the two existing political organiza-
tions. In order to force Ii TO the at
tentlon or the country railroad labor
nihht easily Set up party standard
and Invite tho workers in all indus
tries 10 rally around that standard
In every great domestic upheavai I'm
the past. however. one or the other of
the great parties, soon or late took
the radical side and rendered the
formation or continuance of thirll
party unnecessary. In the days of tie
civil War the Republican party was
the radical Organization. 1t was the
abolition party, and 1t remained radi-
cal until many years after the war.
when by degrees II became the con
servative body Of American voters
;, oionson, More recently sn.y, the %progressive",
the doors of both parties closed TO il.
Il founded the Progressive Party OF
1912. But this organization dissolved
after one national campaign for the
manifest reason that the Democratic
policies that were worthy. Woodrow
Continued on Second Page.)
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