New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-31
THE TYRANNY or TRADES-UAIONS.

To the Editor OF The Trfbune
SIR In a recent article in The TRIBUNE,
denonncng the aims aud methods OF the labor leagues,
there four questions addressed to tAe and
dopasiouate consideration Of members of these
liza lions Permit ne, OF the inteIros aud III
cupated, 20 give
l. Wnat right has trades'-union TO control a mans
labor - can hardy ask at your hands the space e.
peat al length the stock arguments organized concert
ng aboIeTs ant viii nmn nystl toIeA;atIng neon
pleely or two workman has the right sell hls
labor to he highest aQyalt In selfish world T.
workman alone cAIecled to be Unseish He mirusts
sae OF bis labor the lTadesunon because he Is
convinced that the make better eTus than 10
can snCly. lie nust be very unthnkiuG person IL
deed il he has faeU to discover the strel g that les IN
united acuon 1t necessity his position. In hese
Gays of millionaire employers, joint -tocA copan.es
pools" corners" ana "synoicates," workmen in-
stinctvcy oppose to combinations OF capital counter
combinations OF their
2. What have tradesunons done iorabori" Strongly
as believe III the nghtiulness and usefulness these
associations do not believe them 10 be ali-po~eriuL
They absolutely fix the market price OF labor ous
they aud strongly influence 1t; and this II ac-
cOmplsh cd peacoaby, Is an entirely lawful and legE
mate proceeding. The assumption that the gIeas ma
jOIy OF WOILmen support system that works item
injury, injury only, is contrary to mnon sense;
very tLat lie is OF the majority Il to tho
tradesunOnist sufficient ey dence that he Is not iar
wrong But the workman finds the unions protective
and lenehcia il Other ways than those OF enhancing
prices resisting reductions, shortening the hours Oh
labor, and preventing bullying by hard masters ana
isnissals for tring capricOus The fellow
ship that they is itself good thing; aud no
derives advantage nom the easy opportunities for
consultations win his fellows the trade at large
g. What do trades unions 90 for the boys T. The nor
NAL and healthy condt ton OF any trade exists when all
its me mbers regularly employed at sufficient wages
With perfect prOprety them the trades seek TO pre-
vent ap overpus Of hands. In the end tins is Du KIND
ness 10 both But the regulation should be reasonao'
and in the main believe IL is regards apprentice
In my trade l speak with Oouidence Ia .u's
matter, and tie crowds OF boys laud gIs) seen gu o
streets gong to aud returning from WORK every uay
seems TO furnish ocular evidence that you nave SONG
what oyersttted the extent or the exclusion. Iii
law providing Tor the indenturng oi hppIs Ill
stanus the statutc-book, but masters 40 no' "a
themselves OF IL, and IL De SAID 10 nave oe ior
has charged the trades unions lo 70 sati.y
tins but the cnarge is true, rs you may eaSy nm,
yonrs III by IN king INQUIRIES among tue
selves. IL To th,m SIMPLY po'noi Al"
aud they gave II up. -.,,..a h,,, - may have
There vet remains the fourth question: out 's ; nv
long since xnausted our patience, si.Ai NE
self win saving That am far rom WISHING W ' ' g..
mn "A An auo Isl for all tue actions o tneSe
srooin tlsy commit mistakes, particularly 80 ~. -.
I'M to the less skilled trades, as Is POI in
pected sometimes they commit ,Iiihs a. 80, ria
lime they wi grow wiser ards thc mrs. ~ 10
tue la-t' .n,at,ii' 49, 49," fnIlv uSlONIsr
ketey or