Evening star., 1927-10-13

Announcement from the American
Federation of Labor in annual session
that it's present policy is one of coop
Grafton with capital and that the
strike weapon no longer is called into
public use, except under unusual cir
c,lmstances, is warmly acclaimed Dy
the press. President Green of the
federation, especially. Is credited with
leadership in bringing about a def
mite policy which points to new era
i'm the relations of capital and labor.
The attitude of the union leaders
toward Communist agitation also re-
ceives wide commendation.
The present tendency, as viewed by
the Houston Chronicle. Is one wnlcn
gives evidence of new and encour-
aging day in our industrial affairs.
one that not many people had hoped
to see so soon. OF course" continues
the Chronicle, "all this has not come
about merely because people wanted
it to come about. The ideal is not In
the course of being realized merely
because it was an ideal. Labor is CO.
operating with capital both because
it has learned that is the course of
wisdom and because it has been given
the opportunity to cooperate"
"In wage disputes that have re-
suited in a strike" says the New Bed
ford Standard, I'VE have often heard
people admitting their perplexity as
to the merits of the case. The work
ers have asked for certain wages. the
employers have said they cannot af-
ford to pay them. OF facts on which
the public can base a conclusion there
has been a total lack. If, in the fu-
ture, labor backs it's demands with
facts, there is no question but that
public sentiment will be more speedily
crystallized. Even If labor's facts are
disputed by the employers, the argu.
ment will be enlightening. That labor
should feel itself competent to stray
costs and profits and business condi-
tions is sign of the growth of intelli-
gence in leadership"
Something like the opening of
new era is recorded" observes the
ton that President Green OF the fed
Grafton "noted change in public
opinion toward the trade union due
to the new emphasis labor has put
upon constructive work. Strike and
strife have been relegated to a back
seat. Cooperation with industry and
society have been brought to the
front" The Philadelphia Evening
Bulletin is impressed by the fact that
foreign observers have all noted as
the chief characteristic of the Ameri-
can movement. as contrasted with
that overseas, the greater recognition
of the community of interest of EN-.
ployer and employed"
A factor cited by the Asheville
Times is that experience and the
schools are having their wholesome
effects on the labor movement: that
years of good times must also be
taken into account in explaining the
absence of many strikes. THOUSAND
OF workers, organized and inorganic
ed" continues that paper, have saved
part of their earnings and become en-
ployers and owners of property or
securities. With additional responsi.
bilities has come straighter thinking
about capitals side OF the age.long
industrial controversy" The Spokane
Spokesman-Review halls "a momen.
tous and beneficial change of attitude. :"
as a result of which "the country ia
enjoying the blessings of an almost
unprecedented era of good feeling be.
tween labor and capital
The Syracuse Herald finds it is not
amiss ito say that President Green
has proved himself to he a worthy
successor OF the late Samuel Gompers.
At a time when the ultra-radical,
misunderstanding wing of the American
Federation was far more insidious in
methods and threatening in numbers
than its shriveled remnant is today"
the Herald adds, president Gompers
was pillar of strength in the move.
ment for its suppression. In that
respect he was President Green's
exemplar and peacemaker."
y
As to the defiance of the Communists,
the Wichita Beacon remarks: "Russia's
inability to proselytize in the ranks OF
American labor is due to the fact that
American labor is too we'll satisfied
with the way It Is living. Russia has
nothing to offer which is particularly