The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-04-12


there is great amount of ignorant and de-
lstructive fault finding which simply creates
ldistrust and confusion And distrust and con-
fusion are engendered by the entrance of the
Federation Of Labor in the political field.
The idea so industriously furthered by many
Iunthinking persons that the great interests OF
the business world are engaged in continuing
conspiracy TO wrong the farmer or the wage
Garner is of course complete mlsconceptloh.
The great manufacturing interests are all IN
tcrested in the widest and largest possible dls-s
tribution of their products, and this IS depend
ent upon the purchasing power or the whoie
people Traders, banks, railways and every
interest worth mentioning are interested IN gen
eral prosperity These facts are overlooked OF
perhaps purposely ignored by Samuel Gompers,
Frank Morrison James O'Donnen and some
not all members of the labor unions affiliated
with the American Federation of Labor.
1t is right. of course, for farmers to lnvestl-
gate the markets and know every turn OF the
road between themselves and the consumer.
The farmer should not regard himself as out
side the business organization but as part OF
it: there is as much responsibility upon him to
deal with the social problems as upon ANYBODY,
and he viii find an honest desire to cooperate
with him in all branches of business HE, de-
spite the contrary contention or the executive
committee of the Federation of Labor and the
officials of the Nonpartisan League. Every
thing that can be done which actually Will
simplify the organization for distributing and
exchanging the products of industry and effect
economies between producer and consumer Is
desirable. Every such saving, which cuts out
lunproductive efforts or expense, is gain to
society. There is no occasion for any contro-
oh
they Justify themselves, if successful, without
argument There is no occasion for acrlmony
or for political agitation In accomplishing these
changes No class conflict is involved IN them.
Public men who have any honesty OF conviction,
any manhood back bone, will spurn threats and
stand on a platform for the best interests OF
the nation as a whole IF the American FEEDER
alton of Labor wants to force the tight the
American people are ready to meet the issue
The great need of the time, in the midst OF
all the agitation, is larger sense OF response
bility to the whole social body on the part OF
all Of us. There is need OF clearer appreciation
Ct the fact that each Individual and group Is
bound to seek it's own welfare by means which
also promote the welfare of all, and not by
means that are harmful to the social body. This
is not the time to emphasize group interests
There is too much class consciousness and ex
aggeration Of class grievances. Nobody makes
much Roadway by dwelling on his grievances
particularly if they are imaginary, which Is
usually the case. 1t is perfectly certain that II
every group and individual IN the industrial
organization would determine for the next yeal
Ito give its best efforts to the single minded pur
pose of increasing production so far as lies II
its power, wonderful Improvement IN genera
conditions would ensue, and every group ane
individual would share in the benefits.