The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, July 26, 1920, Page 5

B 4] 25 a. Ll Rl - > b (o 9 - LR P SN . b - IS BX i Y - %r« - \ # } -4 5\' = ¥ lo: A 4 S S > IS Gamtl Sh o =78 ¥ ¢ .‘_ 1 i i & 3 Y e < { R vl v ~ ; = . 4 iaf o 8 5 3 R R i wifl v 3 _social and economic problems. . If they repudiate the party pronouncement, whll get in disfavor with the national leaders, and if S Labor's Stone in Old Party Platforms . Like the Farmers, the Railr‘c.)ad“and City Workers Receive Detiant Rejection of Their Demands on Conventions y BY CHARLES M. KELLEY ABOR'’S appeals to-the leaders of the two. great national parties were un- equivocal and the replies thereto are equally clear. Labor, like the farmers, asked for the bread of equal oppor- tunity, to work out untrammeied ‘its * logical destiny, and both have received the stone of contemptuous and defiant rejection, as shown by study of the party platforms which will be the basis of appeals for the suppogt of the electorate. Organized labor seeks recognition of the right to organize and bargain collectively. But, in common with all producers, it demands*®much more than this fundamental right. ‘It insists that the party which expects to command its support shall deserve it by offering reasonable assurance that due regard will be given to the struggling masses who are groaning under a crushing load of exploitation. Labor expects the party which solicits its sympa- — thetic and practical consideration to have a work- able plan for the Qduction of the high cost of living, the curbing of _-profiteers, a restoration of the right “of speech and assemblage, .the re- - LSt establishment of peace at home as well as abroad, and wise, -construc- tive treatment of critical industrial, Labor really seeks but little, but more than privilege is willing to grant. Privilege would, if uncheck- ed, revert to a state of feudalism, in - which the workers would be regarded as subjects for merciless exploita- tion, and where the millions would be completely under the domination and at the mercy of the oppressors. e | = What labor asks and must have in-. | volves no- selfish considerations and distinctions. In speaking in its own behalf labgr voices the thought and the wishes of the great body of the v that is guaranteed by the Constitu- tion and the Bill of Rights; it wants a strict application of the Jefferso- nian principle of “equal opportunities to all, special privileges to none.” CONVENTION “TURNED ITS BACK ON LABOR” IS CRY Labor’s reaction to the Republican platform was as quick as it is im- pressive. Samuel Gompers, speaking for: more than 4,000,000 organized workers, has declared that the Chi- cago convention “has turned its back on labor.” Of the 14 planks that were presented as the sum of the workers” aims add aspirations, but one was given any consideration. Republican congressional and state candidates-are execrating the party leaders and the party platforms for putting them in a position where they are unable to defend theinselves without being charged with disloyal- ty. The producers are organizing an WA effective nonpartisan campaign to impress their views upon the national election, and in many-dis- tricts congressmen who are seeking re-election find that they are going to have the hardest kind of uphill hauling to gain the ear of their constituents. ey they accept it -as written they will be in disfavor .with the voters. Quick to take advantage of the situation, the workers and the farmers have undertaken to force out in the open all tandidates who are striving to capture the so-called labor vote. ey will be faced with their records, where they are available, and those who: heretofore have been long on promises and short on performance will be requested to step forward and state plainly, without any frills or fur- belows, just where they stand on questions that are of primary concern to the toilers. Union Record. The most encouraging phase of the political situ- ation is the eagerness and unanimity with which the workers have accepted the challenge of reactionary platform declarations. The old shibboleth of party fealty has lost its punch, and this year, as never before, voters will vote their convictions and forget their political labels. It is of slight significance whether a_candidate is a Demoerat or a Republican - or what-not, but it is supremely important whether he is a reactionary or a forward-Iooking citizen, with well-defined views on pertinent political issues and a fair conception of the task that is to be con- fronted by the nation and a right solution evolved before we can expect to have peace and tranquillity and due recognition of the rights of those who pro- duce as well as those who consume. BANKERS PLEAD IN FEAR OF TIEUP OF CROP LOANS { Wfien groups of bankers make a long journey half : way across the contirent and come to. Washington ECLIPSED! ~ public, of which it constitutes so a— large a part. It wants everything \\’_s‘\\@}\\?\:?} pure-democracy has eclipsed the rule of privilege. O ‘ and almost on their bended knees plead for relief from an intolerablé railroad. situation, it may be naturally assumed that the situation is bad.: When these pilgrims: leave their counting rooms and their “shops and factories and travel far in_midsummer for the sole purpose of telling the officials of the government that unless prompt and drastic reme- dies are applied the country will be confronted with the most disastrous industrial and financial panic in its history, it is an admission that a condition exists that commands earnest and thoughtful attention. Recently ‘a group of bankers from Iowa called upon the interstate commerce commission and re- lated their tale of woe. They ‘said that the banks had loaned heavily on last year’s crops, and that by reason of the transportation breakdown millions of bushels of cereals are retained in warchouses and the farmers are unable to liquidate their indebted- ness. That is a serious situation, for the bankers as S PAGE FIVE Q o ST “Somehow the sun seems to shine brighter in North Dakota, and it seems more peaceful here,” Editor E. B. Ault wrote from Bismarck to his paper, the Seattle It does shine brighter in North Dakota, where N\ well as the farmers. But that is not the half of it. The new crops are coming on, the farmers are clamoring for funds with which to finance them, and the bankers are unable to help them, because their funds are tied up in crops that can not be marketed because the railroads are not onto their job. The same story comes from other food-producing states. Industry and agriculture are being slowly but surely strangled by the railroad tieup, and there is no relief in sight. The railroad managers are compelled to admit that, despite the heroic as- sistance they have had from the government, the situation has® gradually become worse. Under the diversified and inefficient.method of control that is associated with private management the govern- ment can not employ the means that are necessary to an immediate and satisfactory correction of the situation. i __The nation is paying a pretty penny for the folly of congress in turning the railroads back to the bankers and spectilators of Wall street. It is paying more than $100,000,000 a month under the guarantee of the Cummins-Esch bill. - But that is not.a drop in the ‘bucket compared with the staggering losses that are being sustained by farmers and manufacturers who can not market their crops nor secure raw materials to keep their plants going. Industry - is lagging everywhere. Agriculture is stagnant. The banks are in terror. vacation, and apparently nobody -in Washington gives any serious concern to what is likely to happen ta us be- cause of our utter stupidity and folly. COAL MINES SHUT DOWN, EMPTY BINS IN FOREGROUND - less than 15 per cent of their normal capacity. In somve sections miners are age of cars is given as a reason for ' this condition. Desperate expedients are being employed by the government to improve the situation, but they are ineffectual. The railroads are unable --to supply cars to the mines, and in consequence the mines can not'produce . coal. The manufacturers are pleading for fuel in the most favorable month .of the year for production and trans- portation. When winter comes we will have empty coal bins and, in the opin- ion of competent authorities, a famine and suffering. : Yet an official of the federal trade commission declares that - were the _ cars available efficiently employed mines could have 100 per cent allot- ment and there would remain a reserve of 15 per cent against an emergency. _This estimate allows each car 20 days tomake a trip from the mines to desti- nation and takes into consideration the proper repair of equipment. The railroads, under private man- agement, simply will not and can not make intelligent use of cars. The only solution/ds - unified control, and that implies government owner- ship. From any angle, private transportation is an anachronism. It would not be tolerated were the American people aroused to the gravity of the exist- ing situation. That speculators. and bankers may play with the railroads, the prosperity of the na- tion is imperiled and the comfort and perhaps the lifes of the people become mere pawns in the strug- gie. : The farmers know that the railroads as at present managed are responsible for their trouble, The operators .of coal mines are slowly arriving at the same conclusion. Manufacturers are: being awak- ~ened to the hollowness of the boasted ingenuity and initiative of private management. Very rapidly we shall have a unanimous public opinion demand- ing the return of the roads to the government and their democratic operation. Congress is taking a . The coal mines are today producing * working but one day a week. Short- that will bring with it real hardship 1