The Washington herald., 1921-06-21
Combinations of Combinations.

II been held in this country than that of the
American Federation of Labor at Denver
1t represents the largest individual group of Ameri-
cans. 1t speaks for the labor class as WHOLE for
in very large measure it is the voice of
as well"as organized wage earners. Even where
there to be active hostility, there is the in
evitable undercurrent OF sympathy. Their rows
family rows. Their differences with other or
ganizsd groups. family differences.
p The Herald believes that all Americans can have
great satisfaction in the spirit plainly evident in the
convention. 1t has kept out all side issues which
are not germane to labor's distinctive contention.
II is a meeting of Americans fully loyal to our
common institutions. There was not a vote to SYM
phsthize with the zone big union" or l. w. w. pol
icy of direct action. This a clean declaration
that American labor will fight for its contentious
as Americans and within the Constitution.
"a That the delegates are human and ruled largely
BY human nature does not mark them represent
ing merely class Theirs is the same human
nature equally in evidence in all classes and not
aiways-so well controlled. There have been and
doubtless will be, radical speeches and radical
pressions which will gall many other citizens. Mr..
Gompers, himself, sometimes INDUCES in this sort
Of oratory, very much aiding the prejudice against
organized labor. He feeds its enemies, and handi-
caps its friends.
" But every such speech statement at Denver
can be matched with showing temperate
breadth of view, genuine grip on economic law
and fairness which is most admirable 1t is not
probable that any other class could hold like con-
yention where the self-interest said to rule the
orld,>would not be at least equally in evidence.
1t certainly is not absent from that supreme council
of the powers which have the destinies of Europe
in their control.
But there is order of combinations in
this country which the surface shows greater
menace than does the American Federation of Labor
or the old combinations of manufacturers capital
The Untermyer Investigations in New York State
have disclosed amazing combination of graft be-
tseen=organized employers, and material men, and
organized trades These have had an absence of
conscience moral sense, and dominance Of
greed which would threaten the fate OF Rome.
How. far this combination extends no one
knows But all this country found group
organizations like those disclosed in New York
City Chicago and Buffalo. Each one represents
SOMEONE branch of business supplying, or producing
co7oIdinated service or materials. They have
varfery@of names and, in instances, as proved are
linked with corrupt labor leaders, while in other
instances. the contrary, they at with
labor for what they call the open shop, which often
is really but antiorganized labor.
union of corrupt business with corrupt labor
combined prohteer off the rest of the people,
would Be land system of piracy full of extreme
dangeT 70 American institutions. 1t is not i'm
that the people will have to return to that
great body of labor, the A. F. of L.. and to
honest capital, the right to combine to save
them. 1t may be that this secret bund of corrup-
ton is areaction from restrictive laws which have
prevented open combinations in trade. 1t may be
but temporary coming together of the corrupt
elements in two formerly antagonistic bodies to
form hgfrwayman's union. ....
1t may lead to far more drastic laws of Federal
cure that is worse than the disease, especially so
if the present restrictive laws have been promotve
of these conditions But The Herald has an abid-
ing faith in the fundamental integrity of Americans
of American labor, American business men and
O American capital. This needs but be aroused to
be dominant. Honest men will join to protect
themselves, their own honor, their own good faith
and their own interest we'll as their country.
Looking to the future, also believe that the
coming restoration of competition in the world
markets. will be the better panacea for a restora-
ton of industrial and business integrity In Ger
many, expert mechanics paid pence
haf-penny hour, about IS cents; the cor
responding wage in England is 48 cents an hour.
No tariff equalize this condition for this
country, though it may produce large revenue. 1t
is not possible to reduce American wages to
eqnalze it. Much of German, British French.
Itaiisnsand other products will seek this best mar
keb1Nfncse cannot usurp more than a portion OF
the demand, but they will be regulator
They will compel honesty; they will make cor
rupt alliances for pro6teering almost impossible
With the disappearance of this element, in price,
and in labor cost with increased productive energy
plus tariff American ingenuity may be trusted
to do the rest. 1t may be the laws will have to
Ierognize- honest combination for honest business
But for fundamental business integrity, to protect
honest business from corrupt business and to halt
and disfdpt this revealed combination of corrupt
business with corrupt labor, the most conclusive
factor will be world competition on the return of
world Industrial normalcy.
Sbouh Re coryected