New-York tribune., 1922-12-31

tConiinued from Page Four
in the statute books Of the country.
We do not find IL so to-day.
In Kansas, where a year ago the de-
mand for compulsory labor was noisi-
est, a candidate for Governor, running
as an avowed opponent Of the Kansas
Court OF Industrial Relations, was
elected by a comfortable margin and
the advocates Of compulsory labor went
down in defeat.
Let me cite one. other indication Of
the defeat OF reaction. During tho war
period the American Federation 81
Labor substantially doubled lis mem.
bership. During the post -Armisticc
period up 10 the beginning Of 1929 tbo
membership declined somewhat. due al
most entirely 60 the enormous number
Of workers who were unable 10 find
employment. Unemployed trade union
ISIS DO not pay dues; and the member
snip or the American Federation Of
Labor is computed always on the basis
/ of dues payments. During the vear
l922 despite terrific onslaughts Of or
Eanized reaction, the inembcrship rc-
cords Of the American Federation Of
Labor registered a consistent growth
/ his growth became apparent as soon
/ as unemployment figures began 20 de-
\ cline IN the early summer and has con-
unued steadily since. OF course. ifthe
campaign Of reactionary employers had
oeoa successful union membcrship
would have declined Il was one Of
their main hopes end objects that il
shoold decline The victory Is ours.
rot theirs.
II is not without some pride that tho
/ labor movement points To the legie-
I lative neld as well as 90 the Industrial
I Held. There has not been enacted nv
7 the National Congress q single import.
/ ant measure TO which labor was on
posed. Many such measures were in
troeuced and have nc doubt that
/ legislative majorities may have favored
I such measures. Their courage. how
ever, failed them IN the face OF an ever.
growing indication Of disaDproval on
( the part Of the masses OF our pcople
/ led BY the organized wage earners.
( The great public sentiment which
checked the operations OF reaction
I finally or November Z decided 10 de-
FANNN NN&H AANA AAANNNA EMaAAENN OF HIS
opportunities 20 function politically
Our country has witnessed bat few
such magnificent condcmnutions
Perhaps a word as 90 the outlook for
the future may be appropriate There
Is going Il be no further decline in the
level Of wages. The million and a half
workers who during 1922 ceased work
in order 70 stop the movement for wage
reductions did not safer in vain. The
heroic struggles Of the miners, the rail-
way workers, the textile workers. the
granite cutters. the quarry workers.
the garment workers and others have
borne their fruit The wage csrncrs
Of the country may look forward 20 q
more just compensation for their con
;ribution 20 our industrial welfare.
There is every reason 20 feel assured
that the coming year viii find America
constantly expressing iD recorded ac-
tion progressive spirit more nearly In
accord with the high idealism u the
war period than anything that We have
witnessed IN the rather s0rdid interval
between then and new.
Those who keop the faith. who main
tain their loyalty, wao win not give
way 90 either threat or Establishment,
have tarned the tide. We are on the
road 20 better things.