The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1920-07-16
(By Charles M. Kelley

Labor's appeals to the leaders of
the two great national parties were
unequivocal, and the replies thereto
are equally clear. Labor asked for
the bread of equal opportunity to
work out untrammelled it's logical
destiny, and whether it has received
the stone of contemptuous and de-
fiant rejection will be indicated by a
study of the party platforms which
will be the basis of appeals for the
support of the electorate.
Organized labor seeks recognition
of the right to organize and bargain
collectively. But, in common with
all producers, it demands much more
than this fundamental right. 1t in
sists that the party which expects
to command it's support shall deserve
| it by offering reasonable assurance
that due regard will be given to the
struggling masses who are groaning
under a crushing load of exploita-
ton.
Labor expects the party which So
licits it's sympathetic and practical
consideration to have a workable plan
for the reduction of the high cost of
living, the curbing of profiteers, a
restoration of the right of speech and
assemblage, the re-establishment of
peace at home as we'll as abroad, and
wise, constructive treatment of criti-
cal industrial social and economic
problems.
Labor really seeks but little, but
more than privilege is willing to
grant. Privilege would, if unchecked,
revert to state of feudalism, in
which the workers would be regarded
as subjects for merciless exploita-
ton, and where the millions would
be completely under the domination
and at the mercy of the oppressors.
What labor asks and must have in
wolves no selfish considerations and
distinctions. In speaking in its own
behalf Labor voices the thought and
the wishes of the great body of the
public, of which it constitutes so
large part. 1t wants everything
that is guaranteed by the constitu-
ton and the bill of rights; it wants
strict application of the jefferson
ian principle of equal opportunities
to all, special privileges to nome"
Railroads Breed Panic
When groups of bankers make a
long journey halfway across the
continent and come to Washington
and almost on their Bonded knees
plead for relief from an intolerable
railroad situation, it may be natur-
ally assumed that the situation is
bad. When these pilgrims leave their
counting rooms and their shops and
factories and travel far in mid-sum-
mer for the sole purpose of telling
the officials of the government that
unless prompt and drastic remedies
are applied the country will be con-
fronted with the most disastrous in
dustrial and financial panic in its
history, it is an admission that a
condition exists that commands earn
est and thoughtful attention.
Recently group of bankers from
Iowa called upon the Interstate Com
merce Commission and related their
tale of woe. They said that the banks
had loaned heavily on last years
crops, and that by reason of the
transportation breakdown millions of
bushels of cereals are retained in
warehouses an dthe farmers are I'M
able to liquidate their indebtedness.
That is a serious situation, for the
bankers as wei las the farmers. But
that is not the half of it. The new
crops are coming on, the farmers are
clamoring for funds with which to fl
nance them, and the bankers are I'M
able to help them, because their funds
are tied up in crops that cannot be
marketed because the railroads are
not on to their job.
The same story comes from other
food producing states. Industry and
agriculture are being slowly but
surely strangled by the railroad tie
up, and there is no relief in sight.
The railroad managers are compelled
to admit that, despite the heroic
assistance they have had from the
government, the situation has grad
ually become worse. Under the di-
versified and inefficient method of
control that is associated with private
management the government cannot
employ the means that are neces-
sary to an immediate and satisfac-
tory correction of the situation.
The nation is paying a pretty
penny for the folly of Congress in
turning the railroads back to the
bankers and spectators of Wall
Street. 1t is paying more than a
hundred million dollars a month un-
der the guarantee of the Cummins-
Esch bill. But that is not drop in
the bucket compared with the stag
gering losses that are being sus-
tanned by farmers and manufac-
turers who cannot market their crops