The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-02-16

M& MAsu as now' into two
MP'S>S great orders, is
perhaps the most important subject
which union labor has had under con-
sideration in many years. The very
magnitude of the undertaking appears
b be responsible for much misunder-
Standing with reference to it. The
scheme Is largely tentative. 1t is not
Vroposcd to amalgamate the American
Federation of Labor, the Knights of
Labor and Independent unions into
an entirely new order. On the con-
trary. the idea is to maintain the au-
tonomy of all existing organizations,
but to make them allies in more sys-
tematic way than has heretofore been
Thought possible. In other words, it
is closer application of labor's favor
ite motto: I'm union there is strength"
When, at the last annual meeting
of the American Federation of Labor,
there was formally presented propo-
sition from Mr.. James r. Sovereign,
General Master Workman of the
Knights of Labor, for conference of
delegates on this much discussed prof.
ect of affiliation, a committee of three
received instructions to act in the
premises. AS member of that com
mittee, have found a general agree
ment among the members as to the
desirability of maintaining the prin-
ciple of home rule. That is, no central
power of any kind should be granted
authority to interfere with the affairs
of particular trades. The printers
must be left to govern the concerns of
printers, carpenters of carpenters, and
so on. 1t has always been my opinion
that what have been termed the mis-
takes of organized labor grow out of
the disregard of this principle. Fortu
nately, a clearer understanding of this
matter begins to prevail Now, under
a judicious system of alliance, we
should not witness such things as an
ill-advised strike brought to failure
through lack of cooperation on the
part of an allied trade. Not that the
idea of strikes is necessarily associated
with this project. Indeed, one of its
chief claims to consideration is the
fact that it will lessen the provocation
to strikes, and enable organized labor
to redress its wrongs more effectively.
One effective way in contemplation
is, of course, through the ballot-box.
This has led to the supposition that
the new movement is in reality the
formation of another political party.
That is leaping at conclusion. When
the wool-growcrs assemble to discuss
the tariff nobody accuses them of try
ing to form new political party, even
assuming that political parties are
manufactured in this expeditions way.
The labormen's idea is to ally them
selves and then say: eve, the work.
ingmen of the republic, believe that
such and such a law is unjust to us.
We wish it done away with"
It will then be in order for the law
makers to determine whether the great
love they have for the worllingmen, as
per platform planlls, ia sufficient to
warrant them in granting the conces-
sion.
This, it seems to me, will be one of
the chief benefits of the proposed new
order of things. But it should not be
thought that there is any intention of
threatening or bullying. The tyranny
of the majority is as odions to union
labor as any other form of tyranny
Indeed, it seems to me that even
those elements in the community
which take but n languid interest in
labor matters should be glad that there
is project afoot which promises to do
away with the wearisomc disputes
over the question of labor's power and
labor's wrongs. 1t is hardly likely in
the face of solidifed alliance of work.
ingmen's unions that the absurd as
poets of labor's disputes with capital
will continue, as we have seen exem-
plified recently, when a judge signed
a document restraining n strike on n
railroad. | use the word absurd in
connection with this, not in criticism
of any judicial power, but because
cannot understand how a piece of pa
per, however legal, can compel $4,000
men to Go a thing which every one OF
them is resolved not to do. They tell q
story of war judge who issued
an injunction restraining the battle
of Gettysburg, yet the battle of Gettys'
burg was fought, believe. We hear
great deal of the absurd ideas of work,
ingmen on the subject of the redres.
sion of their wrongs, but the curious
levices which capital resorts to have
not, apparently, received the same
amount Of attention. When IA certain
aurnb bcr of railroad hands have decided
that their pay is miserably inadequate
for their support, putting aside any
thought of their families, and con
dude that they will not work for thcil
corporation employers unless their pay
is Increased. it seems 20 me curious
thing that they should all be threat
sncd IS ith jail on the ground that they
have entered into conspiracy, the ev
idcnce of the supposed conspiracy be
ing the fact that they all quit work to
gether.
The proposed cooperation of labo
orders would have much to do will
these conspiracies. 1t would cndeavo
TO convince the powers that be tina
the conspiracy contemplated nothing
more dreadful than the procuring o
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