The Connecticut labor news., 1923-04-13
M UFFINS

| GeOnaSe m FLOf1Oa! 1 The newspapers discover it with surprise. Labor papers knew about it and howled about it years ago. l Peonage continued. | Now comes happening of note.
 - A boy, Martin T albert, of North Dakota, 'seeing the world" got stranded in Florida, Tipped a freight, 1 got caught, put in jail and so into a | lumber camp manned largely by pris | oners furnished on contract l Parents and friends learned that the boy was in jail, They offered to pay his fine. They were informed he ''couldnt be found" This is said to be the usual answer in such cases. Meanwhile the boy was stricken with malaria Thus, unable to worK, he was laid face down in the mud and lashed with a heavy strap He died of this. So his fellow prisoners testify
 J. R. Jones, sheriff of Leon county, admits returning the money offered to pay the fine. The Putnam Lum- Der Company admits the contract la Dor practice. They write: Beg to advise that we have all able-bodied men prisoners leased from Leon coun- J thus, stark and unashamed; calloused beyond perception of it's own hideous- ness, perhaps.
 After Martin Tabert died his home town took up the case and then the state of North Dakota got busy. The Legislature of North Dakota has pro- tested to Florida and asked punish ment for the person or persons res ponsible for the boys death.
 The governor of Florida promises to ask the Florida legislature to out law peonage.
 It begins to look as if peonage might be in for it's death blow in Florida
 If so, every unfortunate in the state will have reason to Nobserve in gratitude the memory of Martin Ia bert and the state of North Dakota
 The story of peonage in Florida is repulsive and terrible. It is the product of greed and >cupidity. Honor system. Step by step civilization past.
 Judge Gary says the steel business must be conducted on basis of "un- doubted morality" Yes, yes; good morning, judge.
 The undoubted morality of the 12 hour day will be agreed to, of course, by all members in good standing at every meeting of the board of di- rectors of the steel trust.
 Undoubtedly!
 The undoubted morality of wages that induce tenement over-crowding and leave brains too tired for any thing but sleep will be agreed to like wise and by the same persons.
 The undoubted morality of firing every man that belongs to a union and the undoubted morality of run ming steel trust coal mines under the guns of private guards will be similar ly approved with benign smiles.
 The undoubted morality of these things has never been called in ques- tion by those that don't doubt that kind of morality.
 The ushers will now accept the customary morning offering. Good morning, judge; good morning, dea con.
 An, the marvel of morals la carte!
 The New York Times declares that certain powerful industrial magnates are urging Harding to make the 'open shop" a national campaign is- sue in 1924.
 What could be more interesting than that2 It would help line things in their real light. Why shouldn't the "open shoppers" all get together in one party?
 But as a political issue upon which to win what could be more ridiculous2 } It doesn't sound like anything more serolus than a good joke. It would be getting 'back to normalcy" for sure.
 But if the Republican party did adopt such a plank, where would MT. Newton D. Baker hang his hat?