The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1938-06-25
Labor Problems Explained By
Lawyer Craigen In Radio Talk

A''ofney Joseph A. Craigen,
deputy Labor Commissioner OF
Michigan In a recent radio adj
dress over Station wMBC during
the Polish Hour, spoke on the labor
problem In part as follows:
My friends OF the radio audiences:
First, let me thank the sponsors
OF this program for the high privi-
lege OF permitting me to discuss a
very vital question of the present
time. also want to commend the
racial group that Is promoting this
program for their loyalty, devotion
and patriotism to their race and
government. The Polish group
should be commended by all fair
minded citizens for their interest
In their government because they
use their franchise to capacity to
see that they get what they are
entitled to.
AS Deputy Commissioner OF La
Dor and Industry OF the State OF
Michigan, l am going to discuss
the Department OF Labor and In
dustry and its relationship to la
Dor In this State. believe demo-
cracy Is the best form OF govern
ment because the goal of demo-
cracy is the goal OF progress. De-
mocracy means freedom for the
individual and the right of the
people to govern themselves
through elected representatives.
This form OF government came In
10 being in an age of territorial
and Industrial expansion. Frontiers
seemed endless, mans possibilities
endless. Educational IDEAS OF gov
eminent and class were swept
aside in favor OF individualism and
self-determination and men were
free TO take advantage OF the op-
portunities that came with the
development OF the new continent.
For more than a century these
ideas of democracy flourished ard
spread from country to country
until IL seemed as though every
country In the world would sooner
or later adopt them. Then came a
great conflict for the cause of de-
mocracy. Something had happened,
the world had changed The day OF
pioneers and new frontiers had
ended and the day OF rugged in
dividualism and laisses-faire eco
nomics was over. Destruction left
behind revolution, bitterness de-
spair, economic ruin and chaos.
The channels of intelligence and
information were controlled by evil
interests who led the masses
through the mire OF hatred and de-
spair until they were stunned and
paralyzed and held them In this
economic wise through fear of loss
'of employment, removal of securi-
ty, and starvation. The world is
ruled by fear and favor. Enimies
OF labor have long employed the
weapons OF coercion and fear and
have resorted to favor only in
great emergencies. Confronted by
these new social and economic
problems, government was faced
with the tremendous task of enact
ing social legislation II the securi-
ty OF the men and women OF the
State OF Michigan was to be secur-
ed.
When large group OF men are
willing to help America maintain
democracy, but are denied share
In the things which America pro-
duces, conflict arises. These con-
flicts are economic. Workers are
entitled TO lives OF tranquility and
happiness. They are entitled to
sell their labor for the things of
sustenance. Men should not be
permitted to drift from pillar TO
post, not knowing whittier they
goeth. Every man, woman AMI
child is entitled TO economic Sc
curity.
We, Americans are living through
the most momentous and far reach
ing change that has taken place
since the beginning OF history. The
evolutionary processes are being
encouraged in very definite way
with progressive Interpretation Of
the labor laws. II this is not done,
we will find that the same condi-
tons that drove the people OF
France on the memorable July IA,
1875 toward the gates OF the Bas-
title. will be used, not only In the
State OF Michigan, but all over the
United states for identical pur-