The Omaha guide., 1934-09-15

spent. AS a result, thousands of peo-
pie who do not favor Socialism cast
their votes for Sinclair because he is
against all existing political ma
chimes and apparently has no polite
al connections or obligations.
The Sinclair program is about as
promising" as anyone could imagine
High lights are: Heavy taxes on
large inheritances and incomes over
$4,000. pensions for the sick, unem-
ployed and aged. Sinclair campaign
motto goes by the initials E P Z C.,
meaning END Poverty in California"
1t is a noteworthy fact that Mr. Sin
clair financed his campaign by charg-
ing admission to his speeches-and
he packed the voters in while other
candidates, whs charged nothing, ad-
dressed half-empty halls. This is
largely due to the fact that he is a
brilliant and experienced speaker and
a convincing writer. Some literary
critics Of distinction, here and abroad,
regard his as the foremost living
American novelist.
President Roosevelt at once made
an appointment with Mr.. Sinclair
observers believe he will attempt to
tone down some of Mr.. Sinclair's
"wildness." If he is elected-and his
chance of that depends upon how De-
mocratic voters who supported other
and more conservative candidates he
is able to hold-it is likely to prove
somewhat embarrassing to the Demo-
cratic party by putting a genuine So
c3alist high in its councils.
Thus, eyes in all parts Of the ma
ton VIII be trained on California
next November. And between new
and then, the state will witness one
Of the bittNrest campaign battles in
its history. No two men could stand
iarther apart than Mr.. Sinclair and
Mr. Merriam, who recently popula-
rized himself greatly by his decisive
action in the San Francisco strike
situation-such a wide difference. is
what makes first class political wars
600
A great deal can happen in a year
and high government officials, tex
tile employers and textile workers
r realizing the bitter truth Of that
now.
A little over a year ago, on July
L. The first NRA code went into effect
This was the textile code, held to be
a model of its kind. 1t outlaws
child labor. cut working hours and
raised wages. improved working con-
ditions. Spokesman for the NRAl
and the industry made speeches and
statements, said that the code mark
ed a great step forward in social and !.
economic evolution
Today, the textile mills are silent
save for a few in the south, and there
r no hands to guide the looms. AL
most 100000 workers have left
their jobs, and the greatest strike in
American history has begun. Meth
er side shows signs Of giving quar-
ter, both are digging in for a long,
unhappy battle. Last hope for early
settlement collapsed when final des-
perate efforts Of the governments
labor board failed. The workers de-
mand still shoEter hours, without
wage reduction, plus a closed shop
and further complications lie in the
threat Of sympathetic strikes within
other major industries-and that is
the stuff of which a national general
strike might be made. Heads of the |,
textile union announce that financial
contributions are flowing in from all
branches of labor that they will have
a war-chest adequate to pursue the
strike to what they hope will be a
successful outcome. However, the
nations purchasing power will be re-
duced by about $1,000. 900 a week as
long as the strike is in effect-and
everyone will feel the i'll effects.
The whole future Of the MIRA and,
un0ro irnnort,o+ -4,II -