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The Commoner
JUNE, 1922
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Not Labor But Lawlessness
Chicago's resistance to lawlessness must not
bo mistaken for antagonism to labor. Labor is
ot interested in lawlessness. Those who resort
o lawlessness are enemies of labor whether they
belong to labor brgariiaations" Vr are connected
with big business -The massed stand between
the misguided laborer "who resorts to torch and
bomb and the conscienceless representative1 of
big business who ignores the law. They do not
sympathize with either side but denounce both
as a menace to society. Neither extreme can
find oxcuse for crime in the crimes of those of
the other extreme.
Our government is not a government by class,
either by the labor class or the capitalist class;
it is a "government of the people, by the people,
and for the people." The people must stand
solidly for obedience to law ari'd must make laws
that are just so as to reduce to a minumum those
who resort to violence. Force can be employed
by the government and by the government alone.
Let every grievance bfr brought before the bar
of the public conscience and find -its remedy in
the nation's sense of justice. This is democracy.
Democracy stands for government and for en
forcement of law. W. J. BRYAN.
CHILD LABOR
The Supreme Court has nullified the effort of
Congress to protect "children through a national
Child Labor Law. It has been hailed as a vic
tory for state rights but it is no such thing; it
is a victory for capitalism whose greed coins
the blood of 'little children into larger divi
dends. The Child Labor Law did not attempt to
interfere with the states' regulations of its own
affairs; it simply endeavored to secure to each
state the right to guard the welfare of its own
children by protecting them from the conditions
in other states in which less regard is paid to
child welfare. But reformers need not be dis
couraged. This is not the first time the Supreme
Court lagged behind public opinion; Dut it
catches up in time, for even that august body at
last becomes responsive to public sentiment. As
Dooley put it, "The Supreme Court follows the
election returns" and the election returns ulti
mately put the seal of public approval upon -reforms.
W. J. BRYAN.
LADY ASTOR
Lady Astor returns to London after a very
pleasant visit to the Uinted States. She de
lighted her hearers everywhere because she
talked common sense and did it in a sensible
way. She is a Virginia gentlewoman still
European society has not spoiled her. Her part
ing words will be found on another p'age. Our
nation is fortunate to have such a defender in
parliament.
MAKES BOTH SIDES MAD
Conan Doyle certainly missed it when he said
hat in the spirit world those who are passing
through the earlier stages will have intoxicating
liquors if they want it. He has made both sides
jnad. The drys will object to the saloon even
for the beginners and the. wets will object to
any time limit being placed upon their appetites.
Doyle will have to guess again.
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TAREFF INCREASES
It looks now as if the Republicans would yield,
w on former occasions, to the greed of the tar
JJi barons and boost prices on all the important
manufactured products for the benefit of the
Protected interests. The Democrats will, of
hr' d0 wnat they can to Protect the Public
tw . RePublicamQ have so large a majority
inat they will probably be able to put through
unti 5 scaQme, however nefarious. But wait
vii i ides of November and then the people
ih lQ a chance to make a reply. .
th i i mera wno are down t0 Ded roclc and
be in s whoSQ wages are falling will not
,u..n a. mood to approve increased nrlces on
Hrni ey buy- Tne people are patient some
times
lines over-patient but they can accomplish a
onofi ou G1octlon day when their wrath is
tariff a?,sed- If Prices, raised by a protective
4lu will not arniinn fVio, wKot will?
not arouse them, what will
W. J. BRYAN.
1 HIGH PRICES FORESHADOWED
ofTghePrrVarThrne8iiadtOWCd as th0 ofrccts
lows higher import goods. A larg T cotton ma n I
Per clnt and Sn "T! M. hlgh a8-two nundrcd
per cent and the merchants are quick to advance
hn Ff1?0 0f, stocks on 1,anl in anticipation of
the high prices that will follow the tariff law
?n Y7K Wrld ln a rGCOnt 'S "Port
an average increase of two dollars a suit on
clothing due to recent advance in the price of
woolens. Wool, it is said, has more than doubled
in price in. the last year "as the result of the
emergency tariff which has practically raised an
Wnnilf aBain8t w W001-" The America!
Woolen company has announced a second ad-
y111! mn Its fabric8' the increase being from five -to
fifty-five per cent on staple wool.
In the face of increased prices big business is
insisting en lowering wages. What chance is
there for the average man his income is to
go down while his livng expenses go up? If the
Republican leaders continue blind to tho in
justice of the policy they are encouraging, they
may have a surprise this fall when they ask for
a vote of confidence. It may be a solemn ref
erendum, w. J. BRYAN.
LOWER RAILROAD RATES
The Interstate Commerce Commission has
acted in the public's interest in reducing rail
road rates and it is not at all certain that tho low
ering of rates will decrease tho revenue of the
roads. Rates were raised so high as to discour
age traffic and it is entirely possible that a re
duction of rates will, by increasing shipments,
actually produce more than the high rates pro
duced. In any case, it will be an advantage to
the public now. If the wholesalers and retailers
will give the consumer the benefit ot the reduc
tion the cut will mean a step forward toward
"normalcy."
But with the profiteers charging all the pub
lic will bear it is possible that the reduction
will be absorbed in increased profits for tho
middle-men. If so, it may arouse the public to
the importance of dealing with tho profiteers.,
So far, the Republican leaders have been under
the control of the predatory interests to. such
an extent that they have given the public no re
lief from the greed of the exploiters..
W. J. BRYAN.
SAME OLD STORY
The British brewers are playing the same old
game that they played so long in this country.
See the following:
. "London, May 17. The brewing of beer
is one of the chief buttresses in Britain's
financial solvency, according to H. E. Field,
president of the Institute of Brewing. Pro
hibition, he added, in the course of an ad
dress on this subject, would undoubtedly
spell the financial and economic ruin of tho
country."
They slander Great Britain as they used to
slander the United States. No country can be
benefited by brewing.
DEVOLUTION AT THE BAR
' Philip Mauro, of Framingham, Mass., a
prominent member of the bar, has written a lit
tle book published by Hamilton Brothers, 120
Tremont Street, Boston entitled "Evolution at
the Bar." He takes up the philosophy of ma
terialism and shows that the whole theory of
evolution is a "baseless myth" and in the light
of Holy Scriptures a "strong delusion. His
reasoning is clear and concise: his facts .are
convincing. Price 75 cents.
LIBELLING THE CLERGY
The Presbyterian General Assembly has acted
wisely in protesting against moving pictures that
libel the clergy. But the moving pictures do not
injure tho standing of the clergy as much as tho
teachers of evolution do when they put a pro
fessor above a preacher. The preacher deals
Slth the Lheart, out of which are the issues of
life.
David Lawrence, the Washington corres
pondent reports that members of congress are
ponaeni, ibiw - now determined
tired of so much taHc, and are
? to distfngui h between exhaustive discus
times to dg" debate, but Mr. Lawrence
Si0Uf nnnt ZrttofrmMln&or of the country to
.ETas wtffiSSc as he discloses himself to be.
Our Nation's Duty
On another page will bo found Lloyd Goorgo'fl
speech at Gonoa. Can tho United States bo in
different to Its duty in this groat crisis? Our na
tion ought to be roprosontod at 'tho noxt moot
ing; it should act as an advisor without being
bound by any action taken by tho European
powers. But its duty goes beyond advice. Wo
aro holding claims against tho allies to tho extent
of olevon billion dollars. Those debts will never
bo paid, but while thoy stand they will excuse
tho allies for prossing thoir claim for indemni
ties. Why not use tho claims to secure universal
disarmament? Why not say to Europe: Got to
gether and divide up tho eleven billion debt in
such a way as to permit universal disarmament
and we will cancel tho ontlre debt?
To cancel tho debt WITHOUT disarmament
would add to the probabilities of another war,
but CANCELLATION CONDITIONED ON DIS
ARMAMENT would do moro than any othor ono
thing to bring poaco to tho world.
Wo could not lose anything by such a policy
because we would soon save tho amount in
lessened appropriations for our army and navy.
But ovon if wo savod nothing instead of saving
twice (using a debt that Is worthless to roduco
our expenses for army and navy) we can belter
afford to spend oloven billions to secure peace by
disarmament than we could afford to spond threo
times that sum in an unsuccessful effort to se
cure world peace by war. Now is tho time to act.
W. J. BRYAN.
THE SANITY LEAGUE
An organization known as The Sanity Loaguo
has been formed to fight for tho repeal of tho
Volstead law. Its national headquarters are. in
San Francisco, but it is opening up state head
quarters in tho various commonwealths (Florida
headquarters aro "opposite tho post office").
Its literature stales that it is impossible to re
peal the Eighteenth amendment because that
would require two-thirds of both houses and
three-fourths of the states. A majority of both
houses can, if tho President is friendly, repeal ,
the Volstead act and increase tho alcoholic con
tent. This is the ADVERTISED Intention, but
as the Supreme Court would not permit tho
manufacture and sale of an INTOXICATING
beverage, the real purpose is to prevent tho EN
FORCEMENT of the Volstead law. A wet ma
jority in ONE house could shut off appropria
tions for enforcement and thus initiate a reign
of lawlessness. That is the only victory tho. wets
can hope to win. Aro the friends of law and
order willing to promit such a victory? It is
time for every friend of prohibition to 'get to
work. . W. J. BRYAN.
THE FORD OFFER
The .country wants Henry Ford's' offer ac
cepted. Ho is the only bidder who is Interested
in the public that is why Big Business oppdses '
him. Ford's management of the proposition
would expose tho methods of the -exploiters and
awaken the people. Give Ford a chance. '
CROOKS IN CIVIL SERVICE
A lot of crooks have been discovered in tin
registry department of the New York post office.
They were men with criminal records who wenl
in on purpose to rob the government. It will
be necessary to add a new question to the list:
"Are you a thief?" "Answer yes or no."
GOD OR GORILLA
Mr. Afred Watterson McCann, of New York,
has written a very strong answer tp Darwin's
attacks on tho Bible in a volumo entitled. "Goo
or Gorilla." It is a striking title, and his
arguments are in keeping with the strength of
the title. He presents the matter from every
standpoint, quoting scientific truth to combat
tho guesses of so-called scientists. His Indict
ment covers the entire ground and is fully sus
tained by hfs proofs in his arguments. The
book is attracting wide attention and will bo
tremendously useful in uncovering tho shallow
pretenses of those who were connecting man
with the jungle. I gladly commend it to bo
lievers in evolution as well as to believers in tha
Bible. It will open the eyes of the evolution
ists and furnish new ammunition for those who
believe that man was made In tho image of God
The book Is published by Devin-Adair Company
437 Fifth Ave., New York. W, J. BRYAN. -
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