The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-22
TELLS OF LABOR
Prof. J. f. kirkpatrick, Former
TOpekaD, Speaks at c. of C.
He Compares Unions of Eng
land and the United States.

british labor is not so well edu-
Gated as American labor, but 1t IS
more intelligent" Prof J. Il. Kirk
patrick. of the University OF Michigan
and former professor in Washburn
college. declared at the Chamber of
Commerce today noon Professor
Kirkpatrick has recently returned
fro ma six weeks visit in London,
where, with other members of a large
commission. he was investigating Ia
Dor and economic conditions.
He drew a striking comparison be-
tween the labor organizations OF the
British labor is far more thoroly or
ganized than American labor, and has
been for many years past
There is a distinct difference in the
attitude of the American and the Brit
ish employer of labor, Professor Kirk
patrickNpuinted cut
British Recognize Union.
The British employer recognizes
the labor organization as necessary
part of the structure of the business
world, and accepts it He would be
at a loss as to how to deal with MS
employees If it were not for their or
ganiza tons" Professor kirkpatrick
declared. Large employers of Brit
ish labor informed the commission, OF
which I was a member, that they
would refuse TO deal with an individ-
uai- who did not belong to labor
union and regard them as irresponsible
units.
'sBritish labor is economically more
independent than American labor. be-
cause Of the cooperative associations
which have entered the field OF dis
tribution of commodities" the profes-
ssor asserted Thru their cooperative
associations. they supply themselves
with their needs This is one of the
secrets OF their strength The protlt OF
the retail business in which they en-
gage is returned TO the consumers
fan most striking thing ABOUT
British labor, to the American, is the
political organization which 1t.has per-
fected. The British labor party Is the
second party in pow in the country
1t includes nat only the laboring men,
but professional men, business men,
and employees Of labor themselves
.Creat Britain is looking forward,
with some criticism, but without any
alarm, to the time when the British
labor party VIII take over the gov
erument of the country. Then there
viii be inaugurated some reforms
which the Liberal party would now
like 10 inaugurate, but Whlch II @chs
the numbers and the courage to in
rroduce.
Is Not Radical Party.
.-The British labor party is not
radical. a socialistic nor q revolution
AIRY party. 1t occupies much the same
Y,osit.ou and platform that the Pro-
lsreksive Republican party OF tne
United States occupied in 1917, that
Senator La FOllette's group IS occupy
ing at the present time, and that the
ocial-Democrat.c party IN Germany
is occupying s--z
eBritish labor does not put forward
its pugilists to settle Its arguments
with employers il puss forward It's
Diplomats and the employers deal
with them on the basis of two sec
tions OF the business world, indispen-
sable to each other.
'sThere IS no further question OF
wages in the British rabor situation,
no question of the right or collective
bargaining. The big question now in
British industry is the question OF how
far labor shall participate in the
naua-ement of business and the ad-
mfnistration OF its po:=cies.
THE struggle between employers
and employees in Great Britain is near
ly at an end. The British laborer is
rar less wariike than the American
There may be a few more strikes, but
they will not be violent and destruc-
tive. as American strikes are The
two sections willN settle their differ
ences in the future by political neSo-
tiarsonI