Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1922-02-10
BOARD OF CERSORs
THE BATTLE FOR BREAD

james Bowl lyp0BfAphlrAt Ihioh W. fff'
THE BATTLE FOR BREAD
Too many people appear to believe
that agitation concerning the labor
question, is merely a struggle for
bread.
Although bread is the staff of life,
there are so many other items neces-
sary for proper living, that the man
who works, has placed before him
problems as serious and as numerous
as does the more fortunate brother
who profits by that labor.
Just now the consumer is placed be-
tween the organized shop and the
"open shop" dubbed "the American
PLAN" and aggressive campaigning by
advocates Of the latter has set up a
puzzle which is at least confusing and
may possibly require much study be-
fore the consumer discovers he will
pay the bill. Organized labor has
never been a wilmer 1t has fought
throughout long term of years for
what it believed necessary if its
members were to be able to live as
human beings. 1t is not whining
now, even in the face of problem
sNAsicn was not Of It's making, prob
lem produced by the employers greed
for gold made possible by the cost
plus scheme.
II is not whining even though it
may be justified in assuming that
enormous profits accumulated during
war production necessity, can now be
drawn upon to carry on activities
against labor, the man who works
with his hands, and against those
who are dependent on his labors.
Labor is asking now for the square
deal which it has always fought for;
the rights which will enable it to pay
the price asked for what it is COM
PEELED to buy; for employment at a
wage which is equitable; compensa-
tlon balancing, approximately at
least, the demands created by living
costs.
To place all, or any considerable
portion of the blame for lack of pro-
ductlon; of building and manufacture
ing activity, on labor, is unjust. This
plan not only deprives labor of the
opportunity to find employment, but
It retards progress as well. Labor
alone is not the only victims; the
whole social structure is threatened
because community welfare and COM
munity success and peace and happi-
ness depend on the balancing of COM
munity needs and community sup
plies.
success of any one strata of citi-
zenship cannot bring about a har-
monious or peaceful condition for all.
Every family must be able to live
comfortably; must find employment
by which its needs can be supplied.
For any one element to believe. or
attempt to bring about a condition
which will fill its own Golfers with
out regard to rights of any other
element, is not the proper step to
take. Live and let live is a fairly
good rule and should be applied by a
community.
II the alleged american MAN.
would make it possible to reduce the
cost Of production, would enable the
consumer to buy at "a lower cost. that
might be in its favor, but it appears
from the viewpoint of those who have
studied labor problems that cost Ia
the consumer is not materially af-
fected.
Absence of benefit to the consumer
may cause him TO wonder why h
should take a part in the destruction
OF labor's machinery which has been
found so beneficial 70 its members
without taking from its patrons a
heavy toll in form of higher costs
for what it produces.
Unfortunately, both minor and the
infrequent defects or breaches of dis
e'plme which occasionally are found
IN the ranks Of labor, are teo often
exaggerated, too often made vehicles
Tor carrying the wrong impression,
WINE the overwhelming benefits
Drought about by labor organizations
are ignored or minimized.
Organized labor has a duty to per.
form; a duty to its patrons and to
i'seii' 1t must continue to be aggres.