The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-10-18
THE WRONG BEARING FRUIT.

The arbitrary, hgh-handed course which
the labor unions have shown only too
much disposition to pursue, and especial
ly when their action is left to the walk
ing delegate is at last beginning 10
bear the fruit which we are surprised has
not been seen long ago. a movement has
now been put on foot I'm New York city.
where the tyranny of the unions and the
walking delegates" has been more pro-
nounced and unbearabe than anywhere
else I'm this country, to form union Of
employers of labor TO fight back against
the unreasonable demands of the labor
unions and to match organization with or
ganization. A union called the Employers
and Builders League has been formed in
New York, which has secured permanent
headquarters I'm the United Charities
building. No PSI Fourth avenue. The mem
bership Of the league is already one hun
dred and thirty, with sixty-iive more ap-
plications for membership posted on the
wall In accordance with the plans of the
organization, only those engaged in the
building trades have been enrolled as mem
bers thus far. but IT is proposed later TO
admit foremen and journeymen builders as
members. The purpose Of the formation Of
the league, as set forth In the constitution.
Is that by careful, conservative action.
the interests OF owners, contractors and
Journeymen may be preserved; also by
arbitration and discussion, all necessity
for strikes, lock -outs, liens and disputes
may be avoided. All reputable employers
Of labor, actively engaged in the building
trades, are eligible for membership, the
Initiation fee being 50. and regular dues
81 per month.
The secretary has given a New York
paper his version of the purposes Of the
organization. lie says that il is not
against labor in any sense of the word
on the contrary, ii intends TO protect the
iaborers against those leaders who order
them out of work when they are thor
oughly satisfied with their wages. etc.
Another matter which will be combatted
by the league, said he, is the present
practice of labor organizations of de-
handing that uniform rate of wages
be paid to all engaged in the same
branches OF trade. 1T is unjust" said
the secretary, that a poor workman
should receive the same wages that a
good workman receives. The rate of
wages should be gagged according to the
work that man can perform. \ good
man should receive more than a poor
man. and TO bring all to the same level
tends TO discourage ambition and TO re-
ward incompetence"
The league also declares its purpose TO
aim at several other important and inter
esting ends. amongst them settling dis
putes amongst its own members by arbi-
tratlon and establishing a bureau Of en-
ployment, where workers I'm the building
trades can apply for positions, and, if
possible. places will be found for them
by members who may be in need of such
help.
We have always been of opinion that
labor unions which confined themselves
to benevolent and charitable Offices
amongst their members were capable OF
very great usefulness and aid to working
men. but We have always felt perfectly
satisfied that in attempting to regulate
wages or interfere in any way what
ever between employer and employe. they
were simply producing strife that could
do nothing but bring injury and disaster
TO employer ana employee alike Wages
must be regulated by the inexorable law
OF demand and supply, and no interfer-
ence by unions can affect the matter per-
manently one way or the other
But the persistent action of the labor
unions. or lines exactly the reverse of
our Views. has now produced its natural
result-the determination OF those injur-
iously affected by the arbitrary conduct
to hight hack and meet force with force
While concedng TO labor its right to or
ganize, We are compelled to concede the
same right to employers thus 10 or
ganizei and. while we cannot blame them
Tor making the present organization. we
yet deplore II on labors account. How
ever praiseworthy the objects OF the En-
pioyes League, as It has set them out.
~ not In human nature for them 10
siop Their action at the point which they
nave indicated. When all employers I'm a
esstsin line Of business are orsanixsd ana