The labor world., 1922-10-28

tional and state officials are to be
elected on Tuesday, Nov. Z.
In practically every electoral dis
between progress and reaction.
Congress is now in the hands of
reaction; it has performed no serv-
ice for the people. Instead it has
tried by every trick and device to
serve predatory interests.
There is somewhat popular i'm
preston that only those elections are
Of supreme Importance in which a
President is to be elected. That is
not the case. This election-and
every e,ection-is of supreme i'm
portance if the issue is between pro-
gress and reaction.
Progress vs.. Reaction.
Consider the congress as it has
been. Not a single constructive
measure has been made into law.
On the contrary, one reactionary
proposal after another has been
brought forward. There have been
sufficient friends Of the public in
terest in congress to prevent enact
ment into law of the most vicious
measures, but not enough of them to
take command and enact construc-
tive measures.
" Taxation was one Of the subjects
that came under consideration by
this congress at an early date. Tax
alton may make life bearable or un-
bearable for the masses; it may
make the road smooth and luxurious
or a little less easy for the rich.
Congress wanted to remove the ex-
cess profits tax for the rich and the
reactionary leaders wanted to i'm
aas to place the1sreater burden on the
poor.
The reactionary leaders We're able
to remove the excess profits tax and
reduce the surtaxes for their rich
friends. though, they have not yet
been able to impose the sales tax on
the poor. This they hope to do later
if possible. Thus far the rich have
benefited; the poor have to the same
extent been penalized.
Bonus Was u Football.
The adjusted compensation meas
ure was another issue involving just
ice. Congress made of this measure
a football, seeking to clear it's own
skirts by adopting a measure which
it knew would bo vetoed by the
President. This is an old, remorse-
less trick, favorite among politi-
clans.
The reactionary leaders in con-
gress have no intention Of passing a
real adjusted compensation measure
that the President will sign. They
are more interested in doing favors
for bankers than for soldiers.
The Ship Subsidy Project.
The ship subsidy project was
brought forward by reaction as a
measure for the ostensible purpose
of building up merchant marine.
Labor Immediately and vigorously
exposed the truth about this pro-
posa1. il was found to be stepped
in iniGuity of the most brazen and
glaring kind.
The subsidy proposal was intended
to make tho government the limit
less benefactor OF powerful private
shipping interests. IT was further
Intended to take from tho workers
a. sea the rights and the freedom
which had been won for them
through the Seamen's act.
Compulsory liabor:
Compulsory labor. was another
proposition iostered by the reac-
80 I,
gress. They promised it. in their
platform. 1t was heralded again by
their sympathetic attorney general.
It was proposed in a bill introduced
BY Senator Poindexter. It was
urged upon every occasion. It did
not become law for the sole reason
that Labor was eternally vigilant
and Labor's friends were ever on the
watch.
A Law With ''Teeth.'
'Teeth" in th- Transportation Act
were called for by the reactionary
leaders as soon as the railroad shop
crafts strike began. Teeth" meant
compulsory labor for the workers
and "do as you please" for the rail-
roads.
~ The reactionary leaders in con-
gress have been consistent in their
hatred of labor, in their cetermina-
ton to deprive the workers of rights
I and liberties,, In their envenomed,
un-enlightened policy Of making for
the rich and powerful Roman holi-
day at the expense of those WHO toll.
Labor and Farmers.
The department of labor was sub.
-jected to attack early in the life of
the present congress. It was sought
to destroy the one department of the
government that can be Of service to
the workers. ~ sty. - i. -
This destruction was prevented for
the time by the vigilant efforts OF
~ q Dor and its friends in congress. AT
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