Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-05-04
TIME FOR DECENT FOLKS TO
GET TOGETHER

who was largely instrumental In
putting the corrupt labor leader.
Brindeli, and several-though far
from ali-the rascally contractors be-
hind the bars a few weeks ago. and
who only the other day grilled Sam
usl Compers and compelled him to
admit many OF the abuses to which
organized labor Is resorting, proposes
q plan by which he would have the
unions regulate themselves. He said
that II they realized the ambition to
unite all labor organizations in one
big union the consequent limitation
on apprenticeship would be equiva-
lent 70 q restriction upon the lives.
liberties and pursuit OF happiness Of
the coming generation and labor
would thus become a hated and intol-
cradle autocracy. He said the Jew
ish Bakers union was an absolute
despotism. nothing else on earth like
H. on the other hand he believes it
may save itself. for autocracy would
lead IL 10 destruction, by adopting
measures which would compel the
unions 70 conform TO decent practises,
such as are now employed by the
better class Of them.
He would have commission to
pass upon the constitution and by
laws Of unincorporated unions and
license them IL nothing contrary to
public welfare be found therein. with
right Of appeal from the commission
20 the courts. lie would have the
unions retain the right to strike and
fayors collective bargaining, but he
would have a regulator.
when we read OF what tho despot-
ism OF Lenln is accomplishing in
Russia ard note that similar policies
are being openly and extensively ad
voCatcd and employed in this coun-
Try We are prepared to believe that
samuel Gompors told some truth the
other day when he declared: IF it
Gro possible 10 despair of the sound
democratic faith of the American
people. tho situation today in rela-
ton TO Bolshcyism would be most
dtscouraElnE. | do not despair. but
never since the assumption of power
Nv the fathlcss, ruthless, adrolt and
consclcncelcss Lcuin conspiracy has
the situation in America been so
nlcd with pcril'
Another Samuel was quite a proph-
ct many years ago. These Samucls
probably don't expect TO be placed
IN the same class but it must he ad-
mittcd by all that they have had
plenty Of opportunity for information,
Untormyer through the startling in
Nesticatton he has conducted and
Gompcrs through a long period of
combat within the limits of unionism
with tho "borers from Within" the
radicals with Bolshevistic tendencies.
For years he has led the conscrva-
tive elements In the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor. and when the rad
icals have gotten the upper hand as
In the steel strike he has stood pat
with tho organization. He now fiat
~ charges that the radicals are amp
Is supplied with money: that W. q.
Foster went to Moscow and re-
turned announcing that he would
build a machine to undermine the
American labor movement They
have succeeded to the extent of
honey -comhing unionism. They have
championed government ownership
unionism according to the Plumb
rlan.
Gompers remembers when the
American Foacration OF Labor came
into existence as protest against
the control OF labor after the manner
OF the knights OF Labor. He seems
90 apprehend a like split coming and
he takes the bull by the horns. His
charge against Foster is explicit and
aggressive. The fight is on between
tho two factions. only the other day
BENJAMIN schlcsinger. president of
abe International Ladies' Garment
Workers Union, who recently ap-
pealed 20 the courts and by legal
methods compelled the employers to
yield TO the demands Of the union. is
resigning because he cannot satisfy
ana will not adopt the methods OF the
Communists within the ranks. His
organization has prospered under his
leadership as never before and he
has accomplished his work legally.
The Bolshcvists hate that type Of
leader; they don't want things done
legally for they wish to destroy all
law: they don't want industrial peace
for they only may satisfy their per-
sonal ambitions through war and the
chaos they seek TO produce.
or course Foster replies that Com
rers Is suffering from an anti-Rus-
sian complex. that politically, in
dustrially and phlosophically" he has
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