FEAR AND REACTION.

With the conditions of labor unrest no more advanced today than they were at this time last year, and with the country becoming more involved with each new twist which the tide of industrial foment takes, careful analysis of the root of our inability to cope with the situation shows that dread reaction on the part of half the population renders any plausible suggestions proffered by the other half useless. The condition today is nearly identical with that in England just one hundred years ago, when, fearing the spread of the Jacobin doctrines of the French Revolution, reactionary feeling and inordinately repressive laws forced the postponement of much needed political and industrial reform for a period of nearly ten years. With the spread of Bolshevism through Russia and into Germany, with radicalism and anarchism the hidden watchword of imaginary Corresponding Societies of the hour, with the imperative need of industrial reform staring us in the face, one-half of the American people fear to make even the most conservative of advances. Can we blame the laborers for their disgust? True, all signs of real anarchism must be suppressed, alien proselytes if they are found guilty of conspiracy should be ejected as we would throw a criminal from our house. But let not inordinate reaction block the passageways of progress.

A short time ago in the House, a representative from Alabama made certain suggestions of ways to treat the labor question by meeting the laborers on their own ground, by giving them at least a fair representation in all disputes. Another member immediately arose, pointed to the portrait of Washington, pointed to the American flag, and then turning to the speaker, said: "Now look at the gentleman from Alabama!" By exalting the scions of Patriotism, he was accusing one who had suggested constructive reform measures, slightly radical though they may have been, of non-Americanism. And the House applauded!

It is such a spirit as this which prevents progress, which continues the discontent that already exists; it is this hot-headed reaction that must be overcome. Not bigotry, not the exclusion of duly elected socialists, not the rounding up and temporary imprisonment of inoffensive aliens, but freedom of expression and open-mindedness are the methods by which improvements must come. The times are serious; and we should profit by history. There is little cause for our terrified excitement and alarm. The country should cool down.