The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-11-11
HOLDS BRITISH
LABOR DEAF
To REDS

III uLUU
Admits Conditions Are Bad,
But Is Sure Soviet
Schemes Will Fail
By FRANK HODGES. J. p.
International Secretary Of the Miners
International Federation, Ex-Secre-
tary of the British Miners
Federation, and Civil Lord
Of the Admiralty In
the first Labor Gov
ernment in Great
Britain
Copyright 1925, by international
News Service)
LONDON, Nov, 11.-Many are the
misgivings about the future Of Great
Britain. But then we have always
been 'going to the dogs
True the economic and social con-
ditions of our country are as bad
as they have ever been within living
memory. Our unemployed army
numbers over 1,4O0, 900. our national
pay roll is low, our imports are in
creasing. our exports are decreasing.
whilst our trade outlook is far from
rosy. Our main industry, coal. Is
being artificially stimulated by a
government subsidy. which is to
last at least until May of next year.
the coal subsidy may reach the
stupendous figure of thirty million
pounds by next May. What is to
happen then?
There are those who say that
the termination of the coal subsidy
in May next will be the spark which
will ignite the high explosive OF
revolution. The prophets of dis
order maintain that the accumula-
ton of misery among the workers
viii carry on the initial explosion
to complete our national ruin.
Hits Disciples of Woe
May next has been marked off
for the great upheaval. After that
we are presumed to embrace Boil
shevism and to be the first great
industrial country to establish "the
dictatorship Of the proletariat."
The view is actively propagated
by the energetic disciples Of Lenin
and receives the passive, though
unconscious, support of those of our
countrymen who have no beliefs
whatsoever, except the one that our
Fate is written in the sands and
that nothing we can do can stave
it off.
There is absolutely no founda-
ton for the optimism OF the Com
mupist nor for the pessimism OF
the FataIist-these twin disciples
of woe. 4
Great Britain is having a hard
time. With this all agree. Her
people suffer but do not give way
to despair. BY tradition and tenn
permanent we are prone to let things
slide until catastrophe appears upon
the horizon. Then we ret. The
bare thought. Of ReRolution by VIC
lenee b more tllap the Britisher
can stand.
The workers are in no wise diff
ferent from the rest in this respect.
They are in fact Britain's bulwark
against revolution by force. They
passionately desire Improvement.
Both politically and industrially
they are organized for improve
ment. They rage against inertia
and ineptitude. They are evolution
lists by experience and training. In
politics they enjoy a full and free
franchise. In industry their trade
union activities are limited only
by the non-unionism OF some Of
their fellows.
Proof Against Reds
They see in Trade Unionism
something finer and nobler' than
the struggle for better wages and
shorter hours. They recognize that
it involves certain responsibilities
for the general prosperity Of the
industries in which they are en-.
gagged. 1t is just this which will
help to make up proof against
revolution.
Though we desire many changes
and though there is infinite room
for improvement in our industrial
and social life. we do not accept
the doctrine that the way to bet
terment is by destroying such order
as we now possess.
The British way is the way for
Britain. This way, in the face OF
The most distressing difficulties. is
tHe way VI cooperation IN INDUSTRY.
Unity OF purpose is increasing be-
tween the technician, the scientist
and the manual worker The pres
ent joint enquiries into the sick
state of certain Industries like ship
building and coal are welcome signs
Of the times.
The workmen have the sense to
see that greater production and
lower costs are the prerequisite OF
prosperity. In this highly special
ized industrial country. possessing
no agricultural background, it is
realized that our dense and grow
Ing population can only be main
tanned and progress on an ever
growing industrial efficiency. This
knowledge is a sure shield against
industrial disruption.