The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-07
HANDICAP |S SEEN FOR LABOR PARTY
British Election Promises To ForestaII Liberal Budget
 Support
By CHARLES Af'CANN Leased Wire to The Ag&-Herald)


 LONDON, Jan. 6.-Beginning Jam uary 8. the minority parties In the House of Commons will enter par liamentary struggle to effect the re- tirement of Premier Baldwin and his cabinet. UnquestionabIy the latter will continue in office as long as possible, refraining from contentious Legislation that would give the com- bined laborite-liberal majority . chance to oust him.
 Curiously enough, a delay in re- moving Baldwin would seem to be of benefit to the laborites who are expecting to assume control when Baldwin falls. There Is much to be ironed out both within the labor party and out. if Ramsey Macdonald hopes to go before the country with a program that will command sup port. Macdonald arrived in London last night and spent today conferrine with his colleagues on his basic pro- gram. He realizes that he will have to depend on liberal support if he is to retain his hold on the government.
 For that reason it Is expected that bills for the naturalization of trans- ports and natural resources. the cap ital levy and other radical features sponsored by the laborites during the last campaign will not come be- fore Parliament during labor's rule. Will Push Bai3win out.
 Once a program is agreed upon which will, as Arthur Henderson, secretary of the labor party. puts it, insures "a real live, honest govern ment." and instead of taking the country to the dogs, as it's enemies predict, will save it from that fate." Al %4 pa1A A-rfv yxrtNf begin.
 This may be very soon and then it may be a few weeks It can be done any time by obtaining 8 vote on some amendment to a seemingless harmless piece of legislation and 1t is generally believed it will be done before the end of January.
 Meantime there Is wide discussion of what Mcdonald will propose as his program.
 Labor is out to end unemployment and to safeguard peace. not to pro- mote visionary legislation, J. H. Thomas, NJ. F.. one of the great labor leaders. declared in an interview.
 'It must be borne in mind that labor's position today Is not due to bombs or revolution" Mir. Thomas said. but Is due exclusively to the legitimate, and if I may sa SO, in-
 
 we must all endeavor to make that the real avenue of expressing the nations will.
 Employment And Peace Wins.
 What, after all, Is the position? There are two things, employment and peace, moro essential than any thing else. both bound up in each other.
 Tt will be the duty of a labor government to keep those as being paramount, and, Incidentally, when the combined votes of conservatives and liberals in the House or Com mons could defeat any schemes ot the labor movement. l am amazed to see the attempt to make peoples flesh creep"
 Labor will put it's capital levy pro- gram before the British public only when the people are ready for 1t, even if labor government takes over the administration, Will Thorne, NJ. P, a labor party leader, declared.
 We are well aware that if we put up the capital levy scheme now--as- suming that labor movement went into office-a combination of the conservative and liberal parties would use their great power to vote us down and force us out of office, MT. Thorne said. The conservatives
 
 that although we are young party some of us have old heads. We shall go on educating the people on the subject of the capital levy, knowing that it Is gaining adherents every day. and feeling that one day a gen. eral election will be fought and won on that question:"
 There are three primary questions for the consideration Of a possible labor government, Thorne said-un- employment, housing, and old age pensions.
 Personally. too, I am in favor o1 a more graduated scale of taxation. and I see no reason why the death duties-inheritance taxes--should not be increased.
 ITO people who ask what labor government would do, can only say keep calm and wait and see.' .xing Is Ornamental"
 His Majesty, the King. would we'll be advised to keep his finger out o1 the pie," declared George Lansbury, editor of the Daily Herald. in a speech here tonight. It was indica- tive of how this paper will speak out during labor's rule.
 In discussing the Kings attitude in