The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1920-07-16
The Failure of the French Strike
By Marie A. Czaplicka.

of supervision by the economic col
lectivity', representing the interests
of all the shareholders rather than
that of Il few influential individuals.
Herein lies the chief point of diff
terrence between the present system
and the one which has been proposed,
The C. G. T. program further provides
for a central organization of admi-
nistration combined with decentrali-
zation of executive power and control.
The technical side of the program en-
visages complete overhauling of the
physical equipment of the roads and
the installation of all kinds of mod
ern devices with view to the technic
al standardization of the various sub
sidiary railroad lines. In the negotia-
tions on the question of wages tie
railroad uniqs 1are TO have an equal
voice with thH Central Board of Ad.
ministration, but the strike never
theless remains as weapon Of last
report to be used by the workers in
defence of their rights if discussion
fails to adjust the dispute. And finally
all the reforms proposed are according
to the plan to be carried out under
the present regime without destroying
the continuity of the service.
An alternative plan Of reform has
been brought forward by the govern
ment as cOunterbalance to the ir
fluencc of the labor program. Accord
ing to the government plan all changes
are to be brought about within The
structure of the existing system. The
extent of the collaboration Of the
workers is il.defined, but the govern.
ment program agrees with that OF
the C. G. T. on the all.important re-
form of unificatiOn of the existing
system, which is especially emphasized
by the government as it is by labor.
The reorganization of transportation
is the first serious step taken by the
French government of the labor move
ment toward reconstruction. 1t is
surprising that the government has al'
lowed the deterioration of the the
railways to proceed so far in view of
the important role which they played
during the war, when they were 4
decisive factor in the determination
of victory.
The situation is therefore clearly
such that the strike of last May may
be considered to have produced i'm.
portant results, in spite of the fact
that the press speaks slurringly of its
collapse as adeath from anemia, and
represents the general public as full
of Indignation against the strikers.
From the standpoint of labor solid.
arity the strike has been a wonderful
success aud has shown n remarkable
discipline in the ranks of labor Many
workers participated in it who were
not making any local demands Of
their own, rather unique eXperinece
in the French labor movement. Sucn
is the opinion Of M. Ernest Lafort,
Socialist deputy of the Loire and in
cidentally one Of the few advocates
of anti.alcoholism. On the other hand
his statement is contradicted by the
fact that some Of the strikers went
over the heads Of their leaders. For
France like other countries is in need
of changes within the labor organiza.
tons. The leaders of the trade unions
or "syndicats" are the most popular
representatives Of the movement, while
the socialist deputies in the Chamber
are preoeeupied with political quest
ions, rather than the industrial prob
lens which are the first concern Of
the c. @. #.
] When, however, the Government at
the climax Of the strike announced