The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-19
AN ENLIGHTENED LABOR VIEW.

AN ENLIGHTENED LABOR VIEW.
 The tone of the convention of the American Federation of Labor at El Paso partakes of greater moderation and vision than has been the case in some former years. It is obvious that both the methods and the purposes of organized labor are undergoing modification as the more thoughtful among them come into a more acute sense of labors responsl- bility. There is properly no distinction to be made between labor and any other group of our citizens, especially in po- litical way. Within the organizations of labor there is community of interest to be sure, and labor is working definitely towards a goal of betterments. But the idea that for time prevailed that labor was a group apart from the rest of the citizenship was neither healthful nor sound. Now it is recognized that labor must have public sympathy and support in order to win it's way against injustice of any sort, and towards its legitimate status.
 There are to be found in office many politicians who pose as the advocates ot labor and who seek in every way to make it appear that their official acts are ln- spired by the purpose of serving labor. Not only is this an insincere attitude Tn most cases, but it is actually harmful to labor as we'll as to the whole community If public office is occupied by men of ca pacity and integrity who are committed to the public welfare, then the welfare ot labor along with the general welfare will be properly and adequately fostered. La- bor is an integral but not a separate part of the public of any community. Any po- litical effort making it appear that the labor group desires or requires special attention is founded on misconception of government. Whenever any political unit, whether it be city, county or state, is properly governed, then the welfare of labor is assured.
 That this is recognized by the highest type of labor leadership is proved by the policy of steering clear of labor party, but adhering to that party and those can- didates who give evidence of purpose to govern wisely and in an enlightened man ner, The recent decision in federal court in California in which it was held that labor disputants have right to jury trial in contempt proceedings has proved Illuminating to many who have been misled into regarding the courts as an enemy instead of friend of the work ingman. Good government is just gov ernment, and gives no preferential treat ment to any group or faction. Neither does it discriminate against any group or faction. Good government, therefore, IS what all good citizens should unite and strive in unison to achieve. It cannot be obtained in any other manner.
 The report of the executive committee of the Federation made this enlightened and intelligent recommendation to the convention: "Industry must find its own way through the difficulties with which it is beset. There is no magic wand with which barriers may be set aside. There is no outside agency, governmental or otherwise, which may be called in as physicians to cut away the entanglements. Democracy cannot come to industry through the state" What can that mean except that labor is not going to try to use government as a means to gain It's private ends? It means that labor is loyal to government and is not going to try to bend it to it's own purposes. It means that labor looks upon good govern ment as the authority under the protec- tion of which every group in our citizen ship may attain it's legitimate ambitions. A new day has dawned when such con- ception rules the ranks and policies ot la bor. Such conception has come to the labor groups of no other land. It means that American labor is free of the virus of bolshevism, communism and even anarchy with which some other govern ments are beset.