Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1922-01-13
UNJUST LAW
LIKE THE JUG HANDLE, ON ONE
SIDE ONLY
"Can't Strike" Legislation is Based
on Superior Class" Idea, and
Applies to Labor Only

The "can't-strike" wave has again
struck New York and powerful busi-
ness interests in that state are de-
manding this legislation.
AS usual, power and greed is blind
to history and present-day experience.
England's "can't-strike" record is for
gotten, the collapse of this system in
Australia is ignored and today's tur-
moil and dissension in Colorado and
Kansas mean nothing to those who
would handcuff workers to their jobs.
Rhetoric, sophistry and legalisms
fail to conceal the viciousness of this
proposal. It's one-sidedness is ap-
parent to any open-minded citizen. 1t
not only fails of its purpose but it
engenders contempt for all law.
Workers might be forced into obe-
dience, but they cannot be convinced
that they must labor against their
will in a land dedicated to freedom.
Workers do not fail to note that
only they are denied freedom. No
other element of our citizenship is
compelled to give service against their
will. No other element is forced to
accept the edict of state tribunal in
matters relating to wages, salary or
other remuneration.
No other element is questioned on
their cost of living or denied the right
TO set their own living standard.
1t may be said That profits of cor
proations can be limited by taxation,
so wages may be fixed by law.
There is no analogy between profits
and wages, despite contrary reason
ing by superficial men.
The corporation may be taxed, but
not one suggests that the managers
of the corporation be interfered with.
Their living standard is never charted
with the mathematical exactpesS that
workers are subjected to. These man
ayers have free hand in setting their
own wages and this is charge on the
corporation before profits are con-
sidered.
No capitalist is ever cited to show
how many limousines, touring cars,
town houses. country estates, or trips
to Europe are necessary for him. He
is the sole judge. He alone sets his
income, charges it as an expense to
mis- business, the same as interest, de-
probation, etc. After these charges
are cared for, he figures his profit.
"Can't- legislation revives
the ancient theory of master and
slave. baron an6 serf. 1t puts work
ers separate and apart from ali other
groups. q
Tt installs the machinery of the
state in the home of every wage
Garner, while the men responsible for
this condition decry class legislation
and insist that government shall not
interfere with the individual.
1t recalls the theory of ancient
Greece, which is secretly accepted by
those who lack the courage and ability
to openly defend their superior class"
belief.
Twenty-Five centuries ago the
worlds greatest philosophers insisted
that by holding workers tc their tasks
intellectual development and moral
perfection of the few were possible.
Although this theory was defended
by the greatest minds the world ever
knew, slavery was swept aside by the
democratizing and humanizing in
fluences of the ages.
It is now taken up by second-rate
political accidents, money changers,
traders and other idealless persons
who are interested in nothing but
profit and their own convenience.
They talk of Service to the public, y
though their lives are contradiction
to this claim. "Service" is no part of
their lives. Their phrases to fatter
fool, cajole and exploit the people are
tiresome and lack originality.
Workers oppose "can't-strike" laws
and will not recognize them.
The proposal is only worthy of the
contempt Of every American.