St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-03-24
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NEWS AND NOTES.
NEWS AND NOTES.

sThe principles and purposes of the
trade union are both commendable
and beneficial. To carry them to a
full fruition. though, demands a sacri-
flee of time and energy by its mem
bers. 1t also calls for an unSelfiSh,
honest, active and brotherly interest
in the manifold workings of its laws
scale of prices and customs of the
trade represented by the organiZa ton.
And when that unselfish labor is per-
formed, there should be a readiness to
show appreciation rather than denun-
citation. While fair criticism is deSir-
able-for it acts as an incentive to a
higher and better standard-the
thoughtless nagging and prejudiced
backcapping by members who are
guilty of Sinking their just share of
duty is destructive to the strongest
labor union that ever existed, and will
eventually cause trouble and expense,
if not actual Gisintegration. The man
who has the brains and capacity to
make himself valuable to an organi-
cation, and does do so, is also likely to
possess an understanding of fair treat
ment from his fellow members, and 1t
is not reasonable to suppose that he
will continue to labor and make sacri-
fees while the apathetic, policy-play-
ing fellow receives all the benefits. In.
deed, he will not de- so, and the result
is an inferior and bungling set of act
i've members. There is no room for
jealousy in the trade union if success
is desired All must work unselfishly
together in all matters affecting the
welfare of the organization. These re-
marks are prompted said a promi-
nent member of the typographical
union yesterday. "by an unfortunate
occurrence which happened in connec-
ton with the allied printing crafts of
st. Paul during the past week, involv-
ing the call-out by the district organ
izer of the /. 7. u. of the printers and
pressmen in Brown, Treacy & Co.'s
job office. Granting at the outset that
the contention of the pressfeeders for
price and a half on a certain stated
holiday was deserving of considera-
ton and adjustment, their grievance
never at any time warranted or justi-
fed the ordering of a general strike.
1t was clearly case of technical pug
nacity versus common sense-and COM
mon sense got the worst of it. In the
allied crafts council the printers, press
binders, bindery girls and mailers have
magnificent defensive bulwark, but
1t must be conducted with attention,
with reason and with tact All of these
essentials were lacking in connection
with the Brown, Treacy & Co. fiasco-
for flasco it must be called-on az
count of the conduct of the men in
volved, every one of whom ignored
10 10 Of % he i,,40
cease work, on the ground that the
strike order was unreasonable and was
brought about by the neglect of Off
Gals whose duty it was to have at
tended to the matter in a spirit of
mediation. Just to what extent the
contention of the affected men will go
toward saving them from the ignomy
of having rated" time alone will
tell; but it looks at present as though
their conduct will result in expulsion
from the typographical and pressmen's
unions. Certain it is, the affair is a
most complicated one TO adjust. If no
penalty is attached for disloyalty to
oiIlclal DEGREES, the precedent is at
once established that every time
member, CT number of members. feel
agrieYed at an official mandate. they
Will ignore it. and appeal to the union
for Endorsement. Besides, in this case,
the strike order was sanctioned and
came from the international council.
TO which an appeal would have to be
taken, if one is made. In justice to the
officers Of the 1. T. u. it is but fair to
say that the authority which was
granted the organizer was given upon
the assumption that the unions COM
prising the allied crafts were differed
by men free from the affliction which
befeH the historical Rip Van Wrinkle.
And it may be added further, it was
upon this assumption that the district
organizer acted. 1t is a noteworthy
fact in connection with this affair that
the refusal Of the men to obey a strike
call is the first instance of the kind in
the history of St. Paul Typographical
union. The meeting of the typo
graphical union next month promises
TO be a warm one.
The regular scmi-monthly meeting
of the Trades and Labor assembly
Friday evening was largely attended.
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