The Alaska daily empire., 1920-07-28
THE LABOR VOTE

Yesterdays despatches indicate that organized la bor will take than usual interest in the elec- tions this Fall going into many districts With rec ords showing the attitude of Congressmen on various legislative subjects in which labor has been par ticuary interested. As far these activities are concerned members of both the big parties will find themselves, in many instances opposed by labor leaders.
 But this will not be the in the Presidential campaign Having refused to endorse third party idea, and using it's strength a balance Of power in the race organized labor, headed by the Ameri- Federation of Labor, is going to go strongly for either Governor Cox Senator Harding. It is going to waste itself some one who has not the slightest chance of winning.
 As things now look, that branch of union la bor, of which the American Federation of Labor is typical and representative. will for the Demo- cratic nominee. First, and most important, the Republican platform contains nothing definite to which the party leaders point labor policy. And the little which it does contain is distastefu to labor declared recently by President Gompers of the American Federation. In the sec end place, Senator Harding is himself not progress give enough to appeal to the average laborng man, whether he be union or not. Any Presidential can ddate who appeals to Penrose, of Pennsylvania Is not likely to appeal to the man who expects social evolution to be a steady progress for betterment of all elements in national life
 On the other hand Governor Cox is sodly pro gressive. Despite industrial disturbances taking place in Ohio. there has been none of that denial of personal liberty and freedom of speech,
 
 State under his administration that has character ized similar disturbances in other commonwealths. Relations between employer and employee there have been nearly even basis than in any other State This cannot but be factor in the way labor votes
 And the Democratic platform does contain spec fife policies regarding labor and its rights well its dnties 1t comes out squarely for collective bargaining. saying: Labor, well capital, is entitled to adequate compensation Each has the ndefeasibe right of organization, of collective bar gaining and of speaking through representatives or their selection' It, however, does not approve of strikes Walkouts that endanger public wei fare and national safety, saying: Neither class, however, any time, in any circumstance should take action that will place in jeopardy the public welfare. Resorts strikes and lockouts that endanger the health lives of the public in an un- satisfactory oevce for determining disputes and tine Democratic party, pledges itself to cont'ir", if possible and call into effective operation tair and comprehensive method of composing differences of tEis nature.
 Compulsory arbitration, however, applied to private industry where there is question of the public N Glfare at stake is repudiated in the pat form This section of the labor plank reads Tn private industrial disputes. opposed to com pusory arbitration method plausible in theory hut a failure in With respect Government service we hold distinctly that the rights of the citizens are paramount the right strike.
 Labor declares the Democratic party, lis not commodity It is human Those who labor have