Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-08-08

w ticed in labor disputes by the par
ties directly concerned and by the public
which suffers inconvenience, hardship or &C
tual loss as a result of the controversies. In
temperate condemnation of one side by the
other or by outsiders is altogether too COM
mon. Facts are misstated or distorted
through passion. Opinions are based on pref
udices rather than on information and sound
judgment and conclusions are formed that
are premature and ill-advised.
These are statements made by a man
whose profession has brought him into close
contact with the conflicts between capital
and labor for several years. He went on
to say that one of the great needs of the
present time is not only better understand
ing between employer and employed b.. a
better understanding by the public of the
problems of Industrial relations. In fact, I'M
| til an enlightened aud sound public opinion
has been established there is little hope for
anything even approximating permanent in
dustrial peace.
Hence it is urged that the citizen who is
sufficiently interested to discuss the rail-
road strike or the coal strike, and to ex-
press his views with respect thereto, should
take pains to inform himself as to the es-
sential facts in connection with these great
labor conflicts. The fact that he has been
Inconvenience by the dislocation in the
transportation industry does not justify the
conclusion that either railway workers or
railway arrangements are wholly at fault.
Nor does his finding himself with an empty
coal bin with winter at hand warrant an Off
hand judgment against either the miners or
the opertors. In any event, damning and
execrating enc side or the other will not
help him nor anybody else.
Free and easy criticism of public officials
who are dealing directly with these contro-
versies is another evil of which complaint
is made as it initiates against the creation
of that intelligent poplar sentiment that
should support those in authority. These
officials are condemned for inaction or for
whatever action they may take, and all this
without rime or reason.
Presidents Trying Position
For example, President Harding's position
with respect to the rail and coal strike is
especially difficult and trying, According
to their personal prejudices people denounce
him for favoring labor or capital or for fail
ure to adopt extreme measures that appeal
| to the individual as highly desirable and eff
cacious. How often is the expression heard,
I'D like to be in Harding's place about "a
hours-Pd show 'em!" And how seldom
have those who indulge in such expressions
| thought out ways and means of doing what
| they advocate or considered all the possible
| consequences!
Taking over the railroads or the mines,
or making men work against their will, or
| putting an end to lawless outbreaks, are
| talked about as if they were simple tasks
| that the president could undertake and dis
pose of any morning between appointments
| with his cabinet ministers Settling strikes
| is discussed as if it could be accomplished
| by executive fiat Using the army is advo-
| Gated as if it were mere matter of calling
out the police reserves to quell a near-riot
among baseball fans
! Most unreasoning and unreasonable OF all
| structures are passed upon the president that
are predicated on the assumption that he is
Indifferent and uniformed. AS a matter of
f~ct he could not be Indifferent if he so de-
sired and NJ one is in position to be so
| we'll informed as he is. This i, not only true
| of Mr.. Harding but it would be true of any
man who occupied the executive chair.
| Taking Sides is characteristic of the
| American people. They do it in sports, in
politics. in religion and particularly in labor
| controversies, and there is nothing half
hearted in the way they do it. Having
espoused a cause or an idea the average man
| wants the wide, wide world to know that he
is right, why he is right, and what he thinks
! of the other side. He is free thinker and
he believes and INDUCES in free speech. He
| is so certain of his own convictions and
opinions that he has little respect and less
| tolerance for those of others.
Examples of Prejudice.
A man of great responsibilities in the
| industrial world once INDUCED in a TRADE
against labor unions in general and labor
| leaders in particular. He was so vitriolc
| and so sweeping in his denunciation that one
| of his hearers finally asked him if it were
labors leaders. Profoundly serious and with