The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-11-10
Impending Clash?

u A.04noetly to be hoped that rumors Ok
a bad clash between capital and lsPor in
the middle west this winter over the open shop
issue are oyerdrawn. Yet the fact remains
that there is uneasiness in both camps. For
weeks preceding the presidential election there
was gradual lessening in the demand for Ia
Dor. Assigning variety Of causes large fac
tories either closed or reduced their forces. In
the fbur citieS here it lis estimated there are
several thousand men idle today who were EN-
ployed at this time year ago, and statement
was issued last week by an official of one OF
the large East Moline factories that the re-
ducing process had only been started among
manufacturers. He predicted that the coming
winter would be one of the worst for labor in
the history Of the community.
The Argus does not believe that there is
warrant for the gloomy picture that some of
the big employing interests are seeking to
paint manifestly for the purpose of throwing
a scare into labor. NThe right to organize is
recognized in this country. Because labor has
made mistakes in some instances is no reason
why the whole body should be condemned and
the bulwark bulded for mutual advancement
that it has required years in constructing torn
down to suit the whims Of capital.
Capital is organized to protect itself and
it should respect that right on the part of labor.
Neither should labor be unfair towards capital
Both sides have positions that must be consid-
cred and respected. It takes money to run a
, factory and the man with money will refuse to
inNo ho hos That 1o
| operate his business SO that he will get fair
| return on his investment, Too, the man who
| labors Is entitled to fair wage under health
/ full working conditions Collective bargaining
has long beer, a thorn in the side of capital, by
1t appears to be the only means by which labor
can obtain full justice, and this is said in the
face of an understanding of some of the aggra.
vations that are incidental to the signing Of
contracts between capital and labor.
1t would be unfortunate were it to be dis.
covered that capital controlling industry in thi.
| great nation had agreed upon last stand
against organized labor and that there hat
been an agreement to force the open shop, ever
if it were necessary in order to- accomplish this
result to close all the factoriesNand starve TIT
| worker into submission.
The Argus, confidently believes there is
way out that will be acceptable to both sides
There must be give and take attitude. Labo
needs capital and capital needs labor. TIL,
factory can't operate without the worker
Neither can it run without capital We are al
dependent one upon the other in this life
The Argus doesn't know the program o
labor and it doesn't presume to understan.
the course to be followed by capital, but i
does take it for granted that there are COO
Nheaded men on both sides who will get togethe
in a Christian spirit. possessed by a desire t
do the right thing, each willing to see the just
ness OF the others cause and all dominated b
purpose to advance the general welfare
Breaks between capital and labor are al
ways costly to both sides. They can be avert
ed, if men stand before each other as me
and not fight in the dark