The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1922-09-21
INTEREST IN WORK.

Strikes. radical labor movements and other supposed eWs
dences OF social unrest are often explained away by saying that
they are the result OF modern machine industry. which deprves
the worker Of all real interest in his task. But IS 1t true that man
nal work has thus been robbed Of z@t and attraction
Listen in. unnotieed. on the conversation OF manual workers
of varying degrees OF skill and importancc-strect cleaners, paint
crs, track hborers, tmners-any group at all.
There may be some rough conversation at times. and there
may be complaint against the boss. There is trivial losling and
hearty. noisy. not oycrrcfincd relarce that strong men OF all
classes always indulge in when engaged in hard outdoor work or
sports. But probably the major part of the conversation Will con
Germ the work itself. serious and earnest talk. based on the knowl-
edge that the work must not only be done to earn a living for the
IabUer himself but that it is of vital Importance to the customer
and 10 the community at large.
A few boys are irresponsible or unrcady TO settle down. \ lew
older men are naturally born lazy or trouble makers. But in the
heart OF each OF the vast majority of manual workers in this eoun-
try is the feeling that his particular job, whether it be the finest
of precious work or the breaking of stones on the county road,
is OF enormous value to the community and that he and his kind
are the only ones who really know how to do it.
Our ears are filled with the noise of too much talking about
the labor problem. Labor in this or that instance may not be fairly
treated or it may demand too much. 1t may be wisely or bindly
and arroganty led. But this much is certain: Those who try to
persuade the workingman that modern industry has killed all the
natural interest in work are engaged III false propaganda, run
ming contrariwise TO the fact.
The automobile is typical of modern machinery, and there may
be dull monotonous work in portions of its manufacture, as i'll many
other industries. But the automobile has brought with it a vast
number OF Jobs in its repair and operation which appeal to and
fascnate the natural mechanical instinct OF youth. 1t IS the same
with every industry.
There is dull work, but each new invention, each new process
and piece of machinery creates a multitude cf things to be done
that arouse the interest OF thousands OF young men and provide
welcome occupation for them. Radio is one example.
Several of the most severe strikes in the countrys history have
been those OF the railroad brotherhoodS, the members OF winch are
engaged in an occupation so interesting that it thrills every boy
in the land. No, social unrest and industrial disturbance have fol
lowed other lines than that of interest in work or its lack. If it
were true that work had become unintercstng, then it would be
time to despair OF the republic.
But though, alas, zest for labor does not in itself prevent many
industrial ills and disturbances, the fact cannot be disputed that i'll
the main men still find their daily labor Of value to themselves
and to the country, and well worth the doing. If it is true that
the goal of socialism is the right to loaf, then it may be said that
most of our people are too wise to seek any such Enthusiastically
Evening Post.