The Daily Alaska empire., 1937-04-12
SitdOwn Substitutes
(New York world-Telegram)

(New York World-Telegram The American people who love fair play watch with patient concern unorganized and newly or Iganized workers in increasing numbers wield new land illegal economic weapon-the sit-down strike. Their tolerance is due to several things-general sympathy with, abors broad objectives stronger than usual because of exposure of past abuses by employers recognition that the st-down is less de- sructve of life and limb than certain other forms of strike; resentment over employer defiance of the Wagner act; hope that the sit-down is temporary phenomenon that will pass as more employers accept collective bargaining and the unions grow in experience and responsibility
 There is danger however that the continued abuse of property rights through sitdowns and the threa of sympathetic general strikes now heard in De- troit will bring swift and bitter public reaction Experienced labor leaders know how the harsh Brit ish Trades Disputes act followed the English general strike of 1926 and also how the same strategy has always failed when tried in this country The last failure in San Francisco where the public re- volted the general strike collapsed and vicious vigilante movement spread terror
 They realize too, what boomerang such wea- pon as the sitdown be. Industrial paralysis was what rise to Mussolns dictatorship which wiped out Itays labor unions. Fortunately there is not in this country any evidence of such violent reaction But popular resentment is beginning to appear Witness the demands being made upon Congress fo act and the Gallup polls report that 67 per cent iof the people favor prohibitory State laws It is quite possible that the labor SitdoWn may be followed by public crackdown.
 II they are wise, employers, workers and the pub lie will join to seek preventives
 Statesmanlike employers will drop the old labor eaitng tricks accept self authorization of their men and put their relations with labor on legal and orderly basis
 Statesmanlike labor leaders will frown on sit downs quckies,' sympathetic and general strikes. They will organize under the accepted rules and will live up to agreements
 Statesmanlike lawmakers, executives and judges Will work to extend the rule of in labor relations as laid down in the Wagner and Rail- way Labor acts. The government could at once ex- tend to other vital industries the medatory practices now so effectively prevailing in the railroad industry This sensible railroad mediation system does not outlaw strikes or provide for compulsory arbitra tol It does encourage labor peace and order by series lof statutory steps-coective bargaining agreements que notice of new demands conference government mediation, investigation, and finally submission ot facts to the jury of public opinion system that has kept the peace between 100000 ramen and their employers for decade do the same in other n- dustres, provided it's principles accepted by en- ployers and workers
 We cannot of course, stop strikes by passing a aw But we can make strikes less necessary by lftng the economic status of the nations lower one thlrd and we can provide machinery for the peaceful mediation of disputes between organized industry and organized workers.
 This cannot be done however without popular support And popular support may be lost if ir- responsibility and outlawry continue.