Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-01-19

struggle. 1t is rarely voluntarily given.
rms has made the laboring mai feel
that he must fight for what he gets,
that capital is not his friend Or wei!
wisher. That is the fact and a sad fact.
GENEROUS, magnanimous trea,r,cn. from
the first would have avoided this. It
would have developed a different al
ttUde of mind-a different psychology.
There ale shops and factories in
America that have had few strikes,
some that have had more beca use the
attitude of the employers has been SYM
pathetic and magnanimous. Today the
mood is ugly, suspicious. hostile and
fertile field for radical or red propa
ganda, Craftsmanship, needed for that
mood is sympathy. mindness. magnan
unity and fellow feeling. There are
wise leaders among the laborins men.
Had there not been we world have
been plunged into anarchy toby.
we must stand as firm as Gibraltar
today for law and order. Spirit
attitude and temper of mind will d.
more than all legislation. We must
work the bad blood out Of the situation
Arrogance. standing rigidly On techni.
cal rights. conservatism, stand patism
will only aggravate the serious situa-
ton. AS Bishop Brent said the other
day: Dividend conservatism is rs dan.
gerous today in tho labor problem as
fanatic radicalism'
loyal. patriotic. truly American
leadership. resolutely opposed TO rad.
icaiism. even to distinct political par.
!: tisan action. are at work to harmonic
the two great forces in the labor world
of our day which are antagonistic -
each other They are a terribly tried
set of men making a desperate battle
at this very moment. They are fighting
our nigh of law and order II they fai
, don't know what is ahead Of VI. An.
archy, civil war or bloody revolution
who can tell? For this reason these
men should have our every sympath,
and support. and yet it is the fashion
OF the hour now to criticize all aboI
ideals and programs. 1t is dangerou.
| fashion.
Labor must be allowed to share T.
| the profits. There must be eqvaliza tier
OF opportunity and privileges. Equa
opportunity for all. And yet so pei
cent Of the wealth Of America is ir
possession of per cent. Of its popula
ton.
! do not wonder that the laboring mar
| is asking for a larger return. Their,
must be realization. Such profits ant
| percentages are not just. not democrat
ic. They cannot be gained without do
| ing you and me injustice. Labor ma,
be unjust in its demands today and un
willing to give a fair return for tn,
pay received, but the unjust demand,
are made because it is the fashion o.
the day. Every man is grabbing fol
all he can get. Prices are charged fo]
everything far beyond reasonable cost
Immense fortunes are in the making a
this hour. It is not strange the labor
ing man has not resisted this tendency
| 1t u not to him we should look fol
the initiative. The initiative must com.
from another direction. This mac
scramble for wealth must be curbed. A
new ideal must command our hearts ant
wills. new standard must measur,
our worth.
| We have learned only the abe o,
democracy. We have wrought it int
part OF our civic and social life. bu
It has touched only. the surface Of othel
parts Of our life.