The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-10-05
BY William Philip simms

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5.Amer1ca S
great coal strike brought on by the
soft coal operators breaking their
agreement with the miners could
not have happened in Italy. Nor
could the British coal tieup, now six
months old. Mussolini would not
stand for it,
"The good Of the general public,
the Italian dictator told me, must
take precedence over the good Of
any particular group, whether of
employers or employees"
There has been neither strike nor
lockout in Italy of any consequence
since Mussolini, at the head Of his
Black Shrist, marched on Rome four
years ago this month, and seized the
power.
Junking all the employers associa-
lions in the country, Mussolini Gre
ated a national confederation of en-
ployers composed of groups in the
various categories. Similarly, Italy's
several labor unions, We're to all in
tents and purposes, scrapped in favor
Of the new Fascist confederation Of
labor
Employers and employees were
not required to join the official or
CARNATIONS, but there were the only
ones legally recognized and non
members were held bound by the
agreements of the official bodies.
Collective bargaining was made the
rule and collective agreements are
held inviolable under penalty Of fine
and Imprisonment
In case of a deadlock between en-
ployers and employees an industrial
court is provided before which the
dispute must be carried for adjust
ment.
Under no circumstances must there
be a stoppage of industry by either
strike or lockout.
1.-THE new system is unquestion
ably superior to the old one" Mus
solini said in the course of the inter
view.
Formerly" he. continued, "the So
called liberty of capital and labor to
organize was nothing else than a
surrender by the nation of its
sovereignty. Under cover Of defend
ing economic right, they undermined
the very foundations Of the State.
The old labor unions became the
slaves Of this or that party and were
used accordingly, as political tools
for electoral or even revolutionary
purposes. They fought both each
other and the State, becoming a
blighting and disrupting influence in
the nation.
To-day thanks to the reforms, la
Dor unions and associations Of EN-.
ployers are engaged in a program of
national collaborations. Together
they work out not only their own
problems, but serve the interests Of
the country at large. Class is not
fighting class, but under the watch
full eye of the State, the impartial
arbiter over all, class is cooperating
with class in we'll coordinated, har-
monious production, benefiting all
you tell me everybody in Italy
seems to be working. That's true.
And why? Not solely because eco
nomic conditions have improved, but
mainly because the state of mind
Of our workers has changed. Their
outlook today is completely trans
formed.
"a brand new feeling of respon-
sibility is theirs. They see more
clearly both their duties and their
rights. They are partic Ilarly aware
that in the best Interests of the
country lie their own interests. And
so, as never before, they stand
ready to let the great general good
take precedence over their own i'm
mediate benefit"
Makes One Think
AS I sat in Chigi Palace listening
to this man who has upset more
popular theories than any other per.
son in the world today, I couldn't
help wondering what the man in
the street back home might think
about it.
Whether Mussolini is right or
wrong, I do not presume to say.
But he does make us think A few
years ago 10000 900 Americans
suffered and many actually died as
the result of cold and exposure dur
ing a coal strike because mine op-
orators broke their agreement with
the miners! 1t didn't seem right
then. 1t doesn't seem right now
But. &. what's the answer?
Tomorrow: MussOlini discusses war