The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-10-11

ing Of policies He is man under 80,
a profound student of economic ques-
tions and into his tremendous Industry
is mixed the element OF constructive
vision.
They are already thinking much
about him in the provinces. He was
minister of munitions during the war.
His popularity with labor enabled him
to bring production to a high peak. /
charge of the labor branch OF the
League OF Nations. 1t is doubtful
whether anyone in the world knows
more about industrial and labor condi-
tions than no does. In politics he is
Socialist, but he requested at the out
set that we differeatiate as between the
Socialism Of France and Germany and
that Of America.
Thomas Becoming Big
Factor In French Affairs.
Thomas is a progressive, but the kind
that builds as he goes forward. Preach
ment and performance with him go
hand in hand He realizes that it is
not only matter of duty but of social
order that government sense the public
needs with the changing conditions of
the times and adjust itself to them.
One great international job, in his
judgment is the accomplishment of
moral disarmament. Once the mass real
ICES that war is a horrible thing Of the
past, and peace is q practical and not
a Utopian thing of the future, govern
mental policies will become selfadjust-
ing.
The working classes OF Europe were
engaged in this movement just before
the war Of 1914. A very representative
Meeting was held and tn delegats from
several nations agreed that they would
not support any warlike enterprise. In
brief, if their own country invaded an
other Without the most unmistakable
justification, there would be no support
of military budgets.
Thomas says that the German govern
ment know OF this and in the early
days Of the war. notices were posted
everywhere and particularly in indus
trial centers to the effect that the
French troops had crossed the frontier
and invaded Germany. This brought
about Socialist support of the war pro-
gram in the Reichstag. Some time af-
terward the German Socialists realized
that they had been duped. They held
meeting and while there was no denial
OF Misrepresentation, part of them in
sisted that since the war was on they
would have to see 1t through.
The other branch. however. insisted on
keeping the faith and from that time on
their support of the military budget
ceased. Men of the type OF Thomas in
France and Mueller in Germany are re-
constructing their lines and taking up
the work which they had scarcely start
ed in 1914.
Railways Present Big
Problems In Europe.
Thomas is strong advocate OF So
called social legislation. I was inter-
ested in getting his action on the
question of federal ship or the
railroads He said tina % project haa
been carried out with varying policies
in the different countries. IN France
the aim had been to provide better
ira nsDortation facilities and TO give 10
provinces like Brittany a commercial
contact which might not be posslo'e
under private control, for the reason
that individual branches might not De
profitable. Germany had tmposeo nieH
rates and turned the net profits INTO
the treasury in order TO reduce taxation
switzerland had taken a middle OF the
road course and was balancing the con-
sidera tons Of service and cost TO the
public, .-,.,
one could not resist the impression
that NJ Thomas does not believe IN the
theory of Matchmaking industry.
n railway service in England is con-
rasted with that on the continent
there is little comfort TO be found for
the supporters of the system OF federai
oy,nsrshin. England, by the way, is
adopting heroic measures with her fali-
road companfes. The government Ialo
down a plain mandate that there shoulo
ha a consolidation of the railroad lines
into fewer systems. Economic waste
uniustifiable rates and other besettins
evils entered into the consideration
Conditions were imposed in fact specl-
fieations carried Some one inquired
whether the right inhered in the Parla
nent to go so far, but he was remlhdea
that in England the constitutionahty OF
a thing is not questioned because there
Ia no written constitution. The power
~ the lawmaking branch is supreme.
In examination of this arrangement,
= ordon banker said that he regarded the
TTo,,sn of Lords as the only substitute
v,o,a,d has for a supreme court He
40 IN mind. of course, the conservative
tendencies Of that branch OF the br't'sh
government. 49, .,,,.;,c,
- ia is to avoid government ownership
-. hn,eye that continued intoleraole
aa,5itions with respect to transporta-
.tn~ rouId lead to governmental opera
49, Tharo might be a hint in this for
America: certainly we can aitoFo u P"E
attention 10 the new departure
lconvrIoht 1922. by NEA Service, lne')
ItaIy'a problems and tne eo'oT 80
.ont,nDtlra Austria will be deaie "'tn
Ir,