LIGHT ON THE STRIKES: AMERICAN LABOUR UNREST.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20364, 23 July 1934, Page 6

LIGHT ON THE STRIKES: AMERICAN LABOUR UNREST.

To-day's Special Article.

People Beginning to Feel There is Nothing in Doctrine of Unselfishness.

By

Marc T. Greene.

The following article is by a well-known American journalist, who recently spent some time in New Zealand. Mr Greene’s observations, which throw light on the strike in San Francisco, were formed on his return to the United States after a lengthy absence.

NEW YORK, June 8. 'J'HE WORST SET-BACK to the Roosevelt Administration has been industrial unrest, which perhaps has been more rampant during the past two months than at any time in the country’s history. There is noticeable an increase of bitterness as between labour and employers. Strikes of every sort all over the country have developed conflicts that have resulted in many deaths and hundreds of injuries. A great textile strike was temporarily averted by the efforts of General Johnson who, whether he is the right man for the job or not, is determined, tireless and strictly honest. Threats of a nation-wide steel strike are still ominous as this is written, and are keeping Wall Street unsettled despite the increase in steel production to 60 per cent of capacity as against 12 per cent in July, 1932. Many industries and many retail interests also show marked increases of business. In fact, there is hardly a concern of any sort that does not, and general business activity is probably nearly 20 per cent in advance of a year ago. Decidedly a cessation of Labour difficulties and a settlement of the widespread and farreaching difference between employers and employees would have a tremendous stimulating effect. It is not without the bounds of possibility that it can be achieved, of course, and a general steel strike will probably be averted. But before Labour will settle down again there will require to be some effectual settlement of the moot question of unions.

Workers Organising. It is on this question chiefly that the unrest has developed. Steel production has been an “ open shop ” generally in America and the operators are determined to yield nothing on that point. Compared to this hours ot work and even the wagescale are minor problems. The workers, encouraged perhaps by the many indications of a trend toward a Socialistic regime in America, are growing more and more class-conscious. They are as determined to have more say as to the operations of the industries for which they toil as their employers are that they shall not. This really is the burning question of the hour, and until it is settled there will be no industrial stability. There can be little doubt that, whether or not the nation is on the way toward Socialism, as many believe, the operators will have to yield something in this matter of the unions. There is much ground of fact in the workers’ contention that the operators have had it all their own way

and made their millions out of the toil of the men. While there was plenty oi work for everybody and good wages the men did not cavil much, since, as we all know, a full stomach is apt to induce a tolerant frame cf mind. But the stomach is full no longer and under to-day’s shadows of uncertainty may contain little or nothing tomorrow. That, in brief, is the workers’ plaint. They demand more security. At first they thought the New Deal would provide it. It has not, and indeed seems here and there to have actually played into the hands of the still wealthy operators. Thus the workers have lost confidence in it and demand a closer organisation with their own kind to watch their interests. Something will have to be yielded to that position, so much is certain, or there will be tie-ups and resultant conflicts that will turn the whole apple-cart upside down. Anti-Social Consciousness. Lawlessness has kept pace with industrial unrest, and you have an uneasy feeling that Americans are growing “ hard.” That is to sav, there is developing a kind of antisocial consciousness which declares itself in a common phrase, ‘‘Get yours; nobody’s going to get it for you! ” I am not sure that this is not the most ominous note of all in this time which is certainly trying men’s souls. People are beginning to feel that there is “ nothing in ” the doctrine of human fellowship and unselfishness. And if there is nothing in it, what is it but the road to ruin, materially speaking, at least? And there is evidence too distressingly convincing to be mistaken that in America to-day most people are speaking materially. Meanwhile John Dillinger, Public Enemy Number One,” who has shot any number of people, and declares himself ready and eager to shoot more, is still at large, though thousands of officers and a few millions of people are ever on the watch for him, stimulated by rewards totalling more than 50,000 dollars. This incredible man-hunt, most amazing in American history, has now been going on for more than three months. But Dillinger, still uncaught, appears in a town, robs a bank, possibly shoots two or three people, and dashes away at 80 miles an hour. Occasionally he leaves an ironic letter for the police. A great nation is running about this way and that, half-bewildered and in a sort of semi-darkness. William Randolph Hearst says, “ We don’t know where we are going, but we are going somewhere—and going fast!” But meantime life in many of its phases is proceeding just the same from Portland, Maine, to San Diego.