St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-07-26
A DANGEROUS PLAN.

Some of the labor leaders-follower
OF DebS and his gang-are said to be
contemplating the organization of
new ASSOCIATION. to be called the Amer
lean Labor union. which is designed to
supersede all existing orders and coln-
bine under one control all societies hav.
ing for the purpose the protec ton ami
benefit of the laboring classes. 1t is
expected that it will unite the Bro Their
hoods of Locomotive Engineers, Fire.
men and Switchmen, the Federation of
Labor, the Knights of Labor. and all
independent unions into one compact
body. with common purpose, acting
together in all emergencies and under
all circumstances. The basis proposed
is substantially the theory upon which
the American Railway union was found
ed, and the strike, with all its attendant
>outrages, hardshps and horrors. is to be
the chief weapon of offense and de-
Tense.
Granting to the working men of the
country the intelligence claimed for
them, and which they undoubtedly pos
sess, there is little likelihood that this
scheme will prove a success. The
members Of the brotherhoods generally
are We'll satisfied with the orders to
which they are attached. The purpose
of these has been the development of
intelligence and proficiency, and the
promotion of that harmony between
employers and the employed as shall
tend toward fostering the best interests
of each. The strike with them Is per.
miSsible, but only when all other means
OF settling disputes have failed. Arbi-
tratlOn is their chief reliance, and cxpe-
rience has proved it to be safe one.
Only once i'll their history has it been
deemed necessary to appeal to the
strike, and the results of that appeal
have shown more clearly than ever the
folly of coercive measures to acco m
plish that which can be sec ured by
more legitimate and pea ceful means.
The beneficiarieS Of this wise policy
are not likely to run blindly into the
embrace of men who have lately been
defeated in plan so wild and visionary
and so utterly without excuse or prece.
/ dent as that for which the chief officers
Of the American Railway union now
stand indicted. Men who enjoy the
confidence of their employers and the
esteem of the public will scarcely haz-
ard the reputation they have won by es-
pousing the cause of anarchy aud disor-
der. Such supposition is Insulting as
we'll as preposterOus.
The day of organized anarchy has
passed, and the sooner the pretended
friends of labor, who are in reality its
worst enemies, realize the fact the bet
ter it will be for them. With all legiti-
mate organizations. designed TO promote
the welfare and improve the condition
of the laboring classes, the public will
have keen sympathy. All such will
be encouraged by employers, for what
ever tends to promote content and stIm-
ulate industry and intelligence assists
in the prosperity Of all classes. A man
regardless of his own interests makes a
poor workman, and no sagacious en-
plOyer will harbOr him. But il he is
keenly alive TO that which most con-
Germs himself, he will also be earnest In
the service of the man or the corpora.
ton that gives him employment. He
can be trusted with mighty interests,
and will not long lack appreciation.
There are objections to a union of
labor. such as is in contemplation, that
should not be lost sight of. No two
trades have common interest. That
which benefits one may injure another,
and thus it will frequently happen, un-
der the proposed union, that one trade
will be demanding an increase Of pay
for another trade which, If granted,
would inevitably result in a reduction
of their own compensation. Such self
sacrifice cannot be expected in this util-
itarian age, and to demand it would be
to sow the seeds of diSsension aud lead
to the speedy dissolution of the com
pact.
The enemies of organized labor could
desire no greater advantage than they
would derive from such conditions. In
stead of promoting harmony and unity
OF action, strife ami contention would
be bred, and chickering's and jealouses
would result. Each trade would be ac-
cused of endeavorinE to advance its
own interests at the expense Of the
others. There would be a multitude of
counseiOrs minus the wisdom that is
commonly supposed to reside in such
aggregatlons. From the day of its in
ceptoh contentIneut would be a s,ran-