The Connecticut labor press., 1920-12-18
WHAT IS TO Be
DONE TO MEET
WORKERS PERIL
Well Known New Haven Labor
Man Discusses Situation Con-
fronting Labor Just Now.
"OPEN SHOP" MENACE
Suggests Colossal Mass Meetings
to Arouse and Instruct Wage
Farmers in Organization.
"OPEN SHOP" MENACE
By NJ. RESNIKOFF.

By NJ. REsNIKoFF.
Since the last few weeks, and espe-
clally those following the national cleo
lions, people are constantly discussing
and talking about the open shop move
ment" which is now in full sway
throughout the country.
During the war, the capitalists had
made many millions at the expense of
the blood of the working masses, and
now intoxicated with these enormous
profits, have decided to deprive the
workingmen of the very last, which they
may possess as a result of the great
prosperity"
During the war the wOrkingman had
attempted to appear upon the same
arena with the rest of the community,
and had already deemed himself a fran
chised member of society.
The capitalists who are extremely
interested in keeping the workingmen
in as low a state as possible, not only
economically, but also mentally and
spiritually, had avoided during the war
all arguments with the wOrkingmen, for
that would hinder their making so many
millions. But as soon as the end OF the
war came, the great manufacturers
Immediately commenced to organize
against labor. Their paramount pur-
pose being the resurrection of the old
system of reduced wages, or better still,
WageSlavery.
The capitalists of this country, who
not only possess the shops, mines, rail
roads, and on the whole every branch
of industry but even the law and both
political parties, in other words the gov
eminent, are carrying on state OF
starvation, are closing the shops, are
reducing wages, are discharging hun
dreds of thousands of WOrkingmen, are
breaking unions, and are running thouS-
ands of families, and that all for one
purpose, namely: to convince the work
ingman that he is power1ess, and that
he should refrain from desiring to have
any say in the community life of the
country, that his only place is in the
factory and mine, and that he himself
is nothing more than a slave, whose
duty it is to create for the capitalist,
his reward being piece of bread.
Capitalism in its mad race for profits
fears nothing, and employs all legal and
illegal methods. Capitalism knows not
that it is digging its own grave. 1t
makes no compromise, drinks the cup to
the very last, and risks all to achieve all.
You have heard recently a great deal
about the danger" of Bolshevism
which threatens to devOur this country.
I know not how great this danger may
be, | know not how dissatisfied the
American workingmen have become;
the American workingmen are very
conservative, they are far behind their
brothers of other countries. But IT
Bolshevism should invade the ranks of
the American workingmen it will only
be direct result of capitalism; capital
ism is creating Bolshevism, it is its
natural heir.
There is no doubt that we are to wit
ness dreadful times; capitalism will
dare to go as far as the workingmen
will permit it to- the workingmen will
surely suffer and will have to go
through great struggles.
What are VIC to do in this critical
period:
There is an element in the movement
of the American workingmen (untor-
tunately the dominating one) which had
learned nothing and forgot nothing
during the war, which still believes that
the workers and capitalists have the
same communal interests, and all they
hav4 to d.. is to beG i little more JUS
tlce and Righteousness. from the cap
italists.
There are many leaders of the work
ers who throw the entire guilt of the
present economic crisis upon the heads
of the workingmen themselves. because
they voted for Mr.. Harding and not
for Mr.. Cox.
These accusations are childish and
foolish. We have endured the misery
of economic crisises under republican
and also under democratic administra-
tons; it is of no Importance to work
ingmen whether Harding or Cox is
president. During Mr.. Wilson's two
terms capitalists made more millions
and greater profits than during the adj
ministrations of Roosevelt and Taft:
During Mr.. Wilson's administration
the high cost of living has risen 200
per cent.
Capitalists remain exploiters under all
conditions.
These conservative leaders have re-
Gently made STATEMENTS in the. capital
istic press which do not solve the con-
fronting problems: On the contrary are
making them all the more difficult.
Not only are they incapable of Civ
ing them any aid economically. but are
also depriving them of all their courage
and readiness to fight.
Instead of encouraging the working
men and propagatng to them the idea
of an organized struggle, they are prac-
tically demoralizing them.
Leaders, who are unable during an
economic crisis to inspire the masses
with an enthusiasm of self-defense, are
unfit to be leaders.
SO what shall we do? There is only
one remaining solution. and that is to
prepare for the approaching contest,
We must arrange colossal mass meet
ings so as to explain to the workers
how essential it is for them to be or
ganized at the present moment, and
that they must protect their own or
CARNATIONS and positions, which had
cost them so much energy and blood.
We must also publish and spread
thousands upon thousands of copies of
literature which should strengthen the
spirit of the workers and make them
claSS-cOnsCiOus.
But that is not Our only duty at pres
ent We must aid the workers and
their families materially, by opening CO.
operative stores and food markets as
soon as we shall find it necessary. We
must not permit the workers to appeal
to the capitalistic philanthrOpic lnstltu-
TONS the entire burden must fall upon
the shoulders Of the unions. | know
how great the obstacles are that lie III
the path of such an attempt, but never
theless we must do it, it is our duty.