Evening star., 1922-11-04

For many years. while connected with
the old New York Sun and since have
resigned from that newspaper. l have
been constant reader OF The Star. and
l have had many an intellectual treat in
reading Mr.. Messengers articles in The
Sunday Star. 1 note these words in his
article October %:
I'm New York state, Massachusetts
and Connecticut there is under way a
tendency Of political thought toward
putting more business and economic
consideration in politics and less ad-
herence TO- party and promises Of
candidates"
May l venture to express my unqauli-
ned approval OF that statement? For
been engaged in business life. l am
confident that Mr.. Messenger states a
profound truth. 1 notice that many of
our labor union leaders and their fol-
lowers are members of political Or
gan!zations, and that leads me to this
query: II our workmen have unions
and organizations. why should not our
business men enjoy the same privilege
Minority in the Unions.
Mr.. A. B. Garretson. then president
Of the Order OF Railway Conductors,
committee on interstate commerce in
February. 1919. that there were 5000. 900
workmen-perhaps few more than that
who are members Of labor organiza-
tions in the country. According to the
census OF 1920. the last official word.
there are approximately 100000 per-
sons engaged in useful occupations in
the United States. 1t would be interest
o. y-o
sons why only 5000. 600 of that vast
number Of forty millions are affiliated
with labor organizations. Many theories
have been advanced and much useless
speculation INDUCED in by way OF ex-
planation: one fact remains: that the
5,O00.Oo0 represent q compact, unified
force
II our business men do not care to
unionize or organize, why should they
not take a more active personal In
terest IN politics and attend the pri-
maries Of their parties? Chambers Of
commerce and boards of trade are well
enough. and the National Chamber of
Commerce at Washington has done ex-
cellent work in getting the opinions of
their thousands Of members on the
ouI as rule the average business
body "resolutes" a good deal and let's
1t 60 at that.
Confederation for Labor.
Business men and others complain
that labor unions receive first con-
sideration at Washington and at most
Of our state capitals, that nearly all
legislation affecting labor interests
has been looked upon in a favorable
light. But why should not these labor
unions and their representatives re-
ceive such consideration when their
leaders, representatives and members
take an active and intensive interest
In political organizations and politi-
cal questions? Labor men join po-
litical organizations and thus take
part in selecting. through the pri-
maries. the members of the party
committees, who compose the or
ganization," as well as the delegates
to the city, state and national con-
ventions OF the two major parties.
where platforms and principles are
adopted for the consideration Of our
was coincident with the vote in every
crossroads town and hamlet in the
country for town officers. for mem
bers Of Congress and state legisla-
lures and for United States senator's,
and tho election of these latter car
ried with it the power to accept or
reject appointments to off1ce sub
mitted by the President and by gov
ernors and to frame legislation.
Neglect Of National Problems.
Could the greenback craze, the
mania for rag money, have got under
way fifty years ago If the business
men Of that time had performed their
full duties as citizens? Could popu-
lism have got q start? Could the six
teen-to-one issue have come within
an acc Of electing q President OF the
United States II the business men of
those days had given full heed to the
beginnings Of that heresy?
Our business men have, through IN
difference, or absorption in their own
Affairs, neglected the political oppor-
tunities they enjoy in our great re-
public They have neglected them IN
tho shaping Of municipal. state and
national affairs, and many believe
that they have no one to blame but
themselves for the attitude Of legis-
lators who are frequently swayed by
strictly labor influences.
The business men have permitted
ed politicians practically to govern
for them, and thus to advance any
sort OF political and economic doc
trines that redounded to the strength
Of political leaders and political or
Ganizations. In q word, they have
delegated to the politicians the pow
ers which they themselves, individ-
ually and collectively. should enjoy
powers which II properly exercised
would protect them from the subver-
sive doctrines which are often toler-
ated by the politicians for reasons of
political expediency.
Neglect Of the Primaries.
How has this come about? Because