The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-19
INTERNATIONAL WAR ON LABOR

is pressing exactly the same program
On the other side Of the Atlantic that
it is supporting on this side.
In Great Britain that portion Of the
press controlled by "Big Business"
has since the armistice, been waging
persistent campaign against organized
labor, the immediate object being to
array the farmers and the "white col
]ar' middle class on the side Of Spe.
cial Privilege. The arguments used
against labor have been almost word
for word tho arguments made by the
same kind Of newspapers in this coun-
try-labor is bolshevistic. labor IS
disregarding "the public 50 interests,
labor is earning fabulous wages, labor
must be shown its place.
Beginning about November l, 1920,
British industry began closing down,
throwing thousands out Of employment
in mid-winter.
The same thing occurred in this
country on approximately the same
date.
The excuse offered British workers
was the excuse offered American work.
ers-over- production and the economic
paralysis of Russia and Central Europe.
In word, the toilers who were
called "slackcrs' by the press Of
"Big Business are now told that
they have produced such quantities Of
the necessaries Of life-food, shoes,
clothing, everything needed to make
life ndurable-that they and their de.
pendents must starvc until the surplus
can be disposed Of.
They must perish surrounded by
plenty.
The representative Of British "Big
Business are saying the same thing
On this side, and they have made good
so far as unorganized workers are con-
ccrned.
British railway owners demand the
return OF their roads on practically the
same terms secured by the American
railway owners.
They reject the demand Of the work
ers for voice in management, along
the lines of the Plumb Plan, just as
the American roads opposed industrial
democracy in this country.
. They are opposing national boards of
adjustment, set up by the ministry Of
transport to handle employees griev-
ances. The same position is being
taken before the railroad labor board
in Chicago by the representatives Of
the American roads,
i; British manufacturers are demanding
d tariff to protect them from world
competition. This in the face Of the
fact that England has adhered to free
trade for decades.
American manufacturers are taking
the same position.
The British dyestuff combine, which
has made enormous profits during and
since the war. demands that it shall
be the first beneficiary of the new
tariff policy.
! The American dvcstuff combine has
made tho same demand, although a
senator has produced documentary ev;.
! dence to sustain the charge that the
British and American dyestuff com.
bines have entered into a written agree
ment dividing the world between them
selves for commercial purposes.
| British big Business has launchc /
h campaign for the adoption Of a
Fsales taxi and the repeal Of the
excess profits tax and the modification
of the income tax.
American "Big Business is press
;dng the same demand. "Make the
poor pay,' is the international slogan.
= British chambers of commerce are
adopting resolutions gravely indorsing
everything demanded by "Big Bust
hess'' and "viewing with alarm -
every suggestion emanating from the
workers.
Our Eflittle buffers Of the rich'' are
doing the same thing.
British "Big Business demands
that all the power Of the nation, in
GLIDING the army and tho navy, shall
be used to enable British capital to
exploit tho weaker nations of Europe.
Asia and Africa.
American "Big Business comes
forward with the same demand in re.
lation to Mexico, Central and South
America.
The "deadly parallel" might be con-
tinued indefinitely, but enough has been
shown.
+ The point we want to make clear to
Aour readers is that capital, largely a.
ID result Of the Wal, il now organised
4 pn ri International lines. II cares nothing
]. s55