Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-07-26
LET US N

In the process of evolution they have become wed
ded to the doctrine that the nation was a law unto
itself, owing no duty to its neighbors. and properly
%resentful of any influences which tended to curb its
action in any manner. It has insisted on complete
freedom from outside interference, and on it's right
to adjust it's controversies with it's neighbors without
regard to the interests of the world at large.
The nation has demanded that it be let alone,
free to work out its problems in it's own way, and to
settle its quarrels by force or cunning. as it might
find possible. Gradually a new conception has OBJ
tanned. No matter in what form the doctrine may
be stated, and no matter what means may be en-
ployed to apply it, the world has come to recognize
that there is a great common interest which dwarfs
the local interest, and before which the local inter
est must give way. No student has been ignorant
OF this, but If there had been ignorance it must have
been dispelled by the events of the World war, in
which a disturbance, local and apparently trivial, in
volved the entire world in an avalanche of disaster.
The world is taking steps to assert this COM
mon interest, and is to protect 1T. The League. of
Nations is based on this conception of a great COM
mun1ty OF interest. The treaties recently negotiated
at Washington, in which great powers agreed on a
program of disarmament and Of peaceful negotia-
ton are based on recognition of the same principle.
The demand "Let us alone has been voiced in
the industries. The exclamation of a railroad mag
nate THE public be damned" is typical of a con-
ception once widely prevalent among the managers
of great industries. That the industry which in
%dividuals had been instrumental in building, no mat
ter how great or how necessary it had become, was
the private property of those who managed it, and
that such things as duty and obligation were in no
manner associated with it, were common beliefs.
Those beliefs are no longer entertained by any
whose words command respect. In connection with
the operation OF the great industries we have reach
ed at least some measure of understanding that there
is an obligation of service, and that where the life
and prosperity of the community are involved, the
interest of the community is paramount;
&# Me dam and ~ os,r A,1h1;~ or.:
and less completely Of all others. in proportion to
the part that they play in community life, that they
shall render service in designated amounts and in a
prescribed way. The demand that they be let alone
would now be regarded as mere impudence,y and it
would certainly be UNDECIDED.
Organized labor, too, asks to be let alone. That
demand is voiced, not only by the radicals, but by
the more conservative leaders. President Gompers.
OF the American Federation of Labor, admitting and
ldeploring many Of the abuses which have character
lied organized labor activities, rejects flatly the idea
OF interference by the community through its courts
Or legislative bodies. He demands that labor be left
tree to night tor what ii believes to be its rights, and
TO carry the fight to any extent short of physical
violence, and that the public shall keep its. hands of.
He denounces industrial courts, labor boards and ali
such. things as attacks IN the independence Of labor.
That conception, like the conception Of the alb
lsolnte independence and responsibility Of the ma
ltions IN world affairs, and of the corporation in in
ldustfial afairs. must be changed. Labor and capital
alike must recognize that the rights Of the public 10
continuous and efficient service are paramount. and
the world viii presently look back on the time when
lcoflInunities tolerated the confusion of their affairs
Iby strikes, lockouts or similar ncidents..#with as
mich engagement As that with which We now look
back On other ancient practices which We have out
grown.
those who say Let Us alone, thus denyine
their obligation ~ the community ii which they live,
lafss cuf So touch 6svith ~ spiritio f progress