Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-05
American Labor's Day.

American LABOR rests To-Day IFuin
toll and devotes the occasion to OBJ
servaHces calculated to stimulate the
sense Of the dignity and Importance
Of its position in the industrial and
economic life of the Nation. The holi-
day has become an institution in the
United States, far more significant
than the May day" demonstrations
Of the workers of other lands, which
are devoted mainly to agitations in
favor of reactions against the existing
order of affairs. This is day of peace
in America, and yet of striving to bet
ter the condition of labor through edu-
cation and Improvement Of capacity.
The keynote of the occasion is
struck by addresses delivered by lead
ers of labor in terms OF admonition
to the members of the organized
groups to exercise the franchise, to
vote for candidates for Office who will
enact and support laws making for
the anticipation of the hardships suf-
fered by labor and for its advance
ment. Reforms and betterments are
to be effected through legislation and
not by revolution. They are to be
brought about by resort to the funda-
mental principle of self-determination
In orderly procedure.
American labor is today a strong
factor in political affairs in America
t.
labor party" here, as in some other
countries. The workers do not affili-
ate as group with one particular
political organization. The folly of
attempting class government" has
been avoided. Intelligent discrimina-
ton rather than mass action is the
order of the day.
Despite the infiltration of great
numbers of aliens during the period
OF unrestricted immigration, the aver.
age Of the "Americansm" Of the work
ers In this country is high, and the
percentage of sound thinking on their
part is increasing. With the restric-
ton of immigration, this advance to-
ward conservatism has been more
rapid. Demagoguery becomes less eff
fective and radicalism exerts less in.
nuence in the ranks of the toilers,
organized and unorganized.
A sense of responsibility as Joint
partners in the American govern
mental enterprise pervades the ranks
Of labor, wisely led and wisely acting
toward the attainment OF benefits. It
Is natural and commendable that there
should be a constant striving for i'm.
provement, for higher compensation,
for better working conditions. for the
protection of the labor ranks from
abuses and for the development of
group consciousness.
Recently this country witnessed a
demonstration of the conservatism
Of American labor organizations. An
agitation was fomented by a small
minority Of radicals against the exc
cution of two men convicted of murder
by due process of law in Massachu.
sets. Appeals were made in vain to
the largest and most influential of the
labor bodies to participate in this dem
onstration. There was no general
sharing in the protest. no encourage
ment to the revolutionary reaction
that was sought, and while many of
the members of that organization
shared in the doubt that was raised
regarding the guilt Of the men "a
doubt that can perhaps never be dis
sipated-it was recognized that the
law must be sustained, for the true
interests of labor, as those of all other
groups and classes of American So
ciety, rest upon the maintenance of
law and not upon it's defiance and sub
version.
The prosperity of American labor is
the prosperity of the Nation. Con-
f1iets of interest are inherent in any
economic endeavor. Every transac-
ton of business, every process Of pro.
duction and sale, represents conflict
But it is the conflict of peace and not
Of antagonism. Recognizing the law
of mutually Of welfare that is the
fundamental of democracy, labor today
manifests its strength and it's sense
of partnership and is highly honored
for its intelligent adaptation to the
spirit Of America.