Imperial Valley Press

British Waking Up,
America Sleeps

BY ROGER BABSON

EXETER, Eng., Oct 29.—To get to England from France seems like returning home! In fact, Great Britain seems like home every time that I visit it. Thirty years ago I first came to England. Then America was progressive; while England seemed to be drowsy. We used typewriters; while the English used quill pens. We wore sensible clothes; while English wore silk hats and Prince Albert coats to business. Elevators, central heating and private bathrooms were then practically unknown in England except in the most exclusive hotels.

Today all this has changed. England has adopted all our worthwhile customs—except good coffee! (Some American will make a fortune going to England and selling good hot coffee.) While We have been growing softer and weaker since the World War. the British Isles have been growing brighter foreign trade and stronger. While we are increasing costs; England is lowering them. While we are losing foreign trade; England. is gaining it. All this progress, moreover, has been against great odds.

LABOR UNIONS IN ENGLAND

English labor leaders consist of two distinctly different groups. Many are "intellectuals" who look at the problem from a theoretical standpoint; others are very practical. being the product of the railways, the mines, or the mills. When I first visited England, labor was fighting for recognition. It was organizing and striking. Feeling ran very high. Later there developed a strong Labor Party.

After the World War, this party entered politics and secured control of the government. England was given a " New Deal". The Labor Party. however. soon learned that in running a nation there are other factors to consider besides wages and hours. Increased wages and shorter hours sent up costs so much that England could not compete in world markets. This resulted in unemployment.

Strange as it may seem to Americans, the Labor Party recognized it had "bitten off more than it could chew". A Coalition Government then came into power. To some extent, this Coalition Government still rules England. The following, however, should be interesting to Americans:—After English wage workers became thoroughly organized and collective bargaining was universally granted, labor troubles ceased for the most part. The outcome has been much the same as in the case of the fight for woman's suffrage.

Women who "turned heaven and earth" to get the vote, now do not bother to cross the street to exercise this vote. Ever since I was Assistant to the Secretary of Labor at Washington. I have felt that "collective bargaining" is both fair and inevitable in the United States. Furthermore, after it becomes general. United States labor unions will be made to incorporate and will be held responsible as in England. There are very few labor troubles in Great Britain today.

MUSSOLINI AND HITLER

England owes much to Mussolini and Hitler. Twenty years ago the English were a self-satisfied and inefficient people—except in foreign trade and on the seas. After the War. England was in a broken-down condition. But the War did much for her.—spiritually and intellectually. After taking a needed rest following it, England woke up and has since been very active.

The War may have been a blessing in disguise. Now, Mussolini and Hitler have come along. I do not say that these two gentlemen have frightened the British government. but they certainly consolidated the English nation into one harmonious people. From this angle, England sets a good example for us.

This brings me to say a word about the government of Great Britain. Without doubt it is the most able of any in the world. Government in England is a profession for which people train from their youth. Its leaders and public servants are both honest and capable. Unlike America and France all the people of Great Britain have confidence in their government. Yet a Sunday at Hyde Park will convince anyone that England leads the world in freedom of speech as well as freedom from crime.

In the United States, I am sorry to say, respect for the courts is being undermined by the government itself. Not so in England. Next to the church, the courts stand in the highest esteem.

Americans have made a great success of production, but we have utterly failed in government. Furthermore, we have much to learn from England regarding banking and foreign trade.

General Business Improving

Agriculture is not doing well in England. John Bull does not begin to feed himself. Most of the aid to farmers practiced by the Roosevelt administration has been tried in England and has failed. English boys and men still prefer the sea to the farm. Hence, British foreign trade has steadily increased since 1932. 1937 will be within 20 per cent of the previous high of 1929.