The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-08-08

their will should be enforced. even at
the point of %bayonet ] speak know.
ingly. | have passed through many
serious Industrial troubles. | know
something Of their psychology. the
stages through which they pass, and
the dangerous attempts that are
sometimes made to end them. Dis
putes between labor and capital are
inevitable. The disposition to gain the
best bargain possible characterizes
the whole field Of exchange. whether
1t be product for product, or labor
for money. If Nrikes are prolonged
public opinion always settles them.
Public opinion should determine re.
suits in America. Public opinion IS
the most interesting characteristic Of
a democracy, and it is the real safety
valve of the Institutions of a free
government. 1t may, at times. be
necessary for government to induire
into the facts Of a tie-up, but the
facts and o conclusions should be
submitted. The determining form OF
unprejudiced thought will do the rest.
During this process. governmental
agencies must give a vigilant eye TO
the protection Of life and property.
and maintain firmness but abso.
Lutte impartiality. This is always the
real test, but if official conduct com
bines courage and fairness. our gov.
eminent institutions come out of
these affairs untarnished by distrust.
This is not an academic obse rvation.
1t Is the mere recital of experience.
Aliens Cause Unrest
Unrest has been reinforced in no
small. degree by the great mass of
unassimilated aliens. Attracted by
an unprecedented demand for labor,
they have come to our shores by the
thousands. AS they have become
acquainted with the customs and Cd.
portunities Of American life. thous-
ands of them have become citizens
and are owners Of their own homes.
However, the work of assimilation
too long was merely automatic. One
million six hundred thousand foreign
born in this country cannot read or
write our language. Our interest in
them in the main has been simply
as ldborers, assembled in the great
trade c%enters, TO meet the demand
of the hour. without home or com.
munity ties, many have been more or
less nomadic, creating the problem
Of excessive turnover. which has per.
picked manufacturing plants. But this
has not been the worst phase Of the
situation. Unfamiliar with law, hav.
ing no understanding of the princi-
pies Of cur government, they have
fallen an easy prey to unpatriotic
and designing persons. Public opin-
ion has had no influence upon them.
because they have been isolated from
the currents Of opinion, all que to
their not being able to read or write
our language. 1t Is the duty of the
federal government to stimulate the
work of Americanization on the part
Of the church, school, community
agencies, state governments and in
dustry itself. In the past, many in
dustries that have suffered from
chronic restlessness have been the
chief contributors to their " trou-
bles. The foreigner with European
standards of living was welcomed, but
too often 10 attempt was made TO
educate him to domestic Ideals, for
the simple reason that it adversely
affected the ledger.
One Language Helpful
1t has been my observation tina. the
man who learns our language, yields
to a controlling public opinion and
respect our laws; besides in proper.
ton as his devotion to American life
develops, his interest in the impulsive
processes of revolution diminishes.
We must be patient in the work Of
assimilation and studiously avoid op-
pressive measures in the face Of
mere evidence Of misunderstanding.