The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1920-09-03
BACKWORD OR FOREWORD
by W. NJ. Short


This question is occupying the
thoughts of many students of the
Labor problem. Opinion is quite
widely divided on the subject, many
contending-and using powerful Illus
trations-thaC we are going back
ward. The point to the eXtortionate
high cost of living, and the fact that
our living standards have been low
cred by our failure to make wages
keep pace with it; they point to the
repression already in practice, and
more contemplated by those in power,
in the form of Industrial Courts
and anti-strike legislation. They
point to the failure of the steel
strike and the defeat of the last
program of the United Mine Work
ers, etc. On the other hand, there
are those of US who contend that de
spite those shallow-surface indlca-
tions-that lend support to the back
ward opinion-that we are really IN
process of bringing about the most
radical step forward ever undertaken
at one time, and that much of sus-
stantial nature has been accomplished
even during this late period when
surface indications might point to
the contrary.
There is nothing phenomenal in the
hysterical demand for the repression
of Labor to be heard on every hand,
from the powers in control, through
out the nation. Every attempt at
change in the existing order of things
has had to contend with the forces
of repression. This has been true
since the beginning of time. 1t seems
to be a law of nature that the pow
er that awakens the evolutionary in
stincts that impel US forward, also
arouses the instincts of self-preser
walton in those whose power will be
weakened by the change, and explains
why progress has always had to do
battle with repression.
The first labor union of Masons,
that history records, in force 100
years before Christ on the temples
of ancient Egypt, cOntended success
fully with all the forces of repres
sion brought to bear by the Pharohas
and finally forced a recognition Of
their rights to a voice in making
wages and conditions of employment.
sons had their origin there. The
walkout Of the Hebrews from Egypt,
under the leadership Of Moses, was
accomplished in spite of the most
powerful repression. 1t gave birth
to the Mosaic Law from which our
common law is derived; it was the
beginning of common law. The cruc-
ifixion Of Christ and the attempted
suppression of Christianity led to it's
early-and almost universal-adop-
ton throughout the world. The re-
preston associated with the signing
of Magma Charta, and with the
French revolution, and so on indefin-
itelv, establishes the close relation
ship of the two-progress and re-
preston.
What are the evolutionary pro-
cesses at work now that have aroused
the elf-pteservation instincts of the
powers that be and prompt the cam
paign Of repression? The demand
that the conduct Of business be
changed from a basis Of private gain
only, and be made more and more a
greater servant Of the common good,
The demand Of the worker for a
voice IN the management Of industry
and a change from autOcratic to
democratic control in the interest Or
the common good.
This means a change in the exist
ing order, and it is natural that
autocracy should try to preserve it.
self, and preserve itself with the
strongest weapon at it's command
repression. Necessity is demanding
change. Necessity is the whip that
nature uses to drive US forward.
There is spirit of unrest and dis
satisfaction everywhere. Dissatis-