The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-31
Unionism Tyrannical When Run
by Marrow Minded Men.
A MENACE TO PROGRESS
Some Pertinent Remarks by G. A. La
fayette OF the Bricklayers Inter-
national Union Unions
and Unionism

teresting article on unions and union
ism. He condemns the union man who
would assume to operate by radical
measures and declares that there is no
more despotic or tyrannical trust than
the union when run by narrow-minded
men. Such a union, he says, is men,
ace to the community and clog in the
wheels of progress. The article. which
is addressed to the editor, is as fol-
lows:
The motto of the Bricklayers and Ma
sons International Union of America
Is Justice to ALL" and since the incep-
tion of the organization 1t has stood
true to the motto chosen in the city
of Philadelphia in February, 1865. Many
changes have interviewed, industrial and
otherwise, but there never was a time
when the Bricklayers' International
union could not easily cope with condi-
tions, relying on the steadfast loyalty
of it's members throughout the coun-
try. This organization is proof that
from small beginnings great things
may come; the small Seeding sprout-
ing at Baltimore has spread, until to-
day more than 300 subordinate unions
throughout the United States and Can
aura pWC II dllCSid anu us f1eIIUGTS
may be found peacefully plying their
vocation from Winnipeg, Manitoba, to
Galveston, in Texas, and from Halifax,
Nova Scotia, TO San Francisco, Cal
Thus. from sea to sea, and from the
frozen north to the land of the mag
nolia, the symbol of union in the b. and
M 1. u can be found binding the work.
men OF the craft into one strong, in
dlssoluble brotherhood, everywhere rec
OgnlZllE their 6utipS Ia wv a ht1ir,e
lzens, extending to others that Justice
to alI' consistent with the motto of the
organization. Nothing sentimental is
meant in the PRONUNCIATION of the fore
going motto; 1t is business pure and
simple, and it was early understood by
the founders of the institution that by
consistently living up to the principle
of simple justice could the union sur
vive. As it is with the individual who
practices deceit or injustice on his fell
lows, so 1T must be with the organiza-
tion of any kind-success may attend
them for a time, but failure is theirs
inevitably in the end. The trades union
of our time must be a business insti-
tuition, run on business principles to
succeed; this being so it follows in
logical sequence that the union going
contrary to this must be failure
Therefore, 1t is necessary for the union
tosbe most careful as to who their Off
GERS will be. Care should be taken as
to the hard, good common sense of
those they place in power, making GER
tain those chosen have the necessary
Qualifications for Office and throwing
around them such safeguards as may
be necessary to ensure good service,
always in the interest of the union col
iectively. The official action of a union
should be the collective expression of
All, yet 1t hardly ever is So The Off
GERS of union should be typical of the
best thought most progressive ideas of
the whole yet, unfortunately, it is only
in rare instances they are. 1t is un-
necessary to explain why this is SO,
especially as the rule applies equally
to legislative bodies everywhere /
simply point to the evil and most re-
specially suggest the remedy-the ref
erendum. During the formative period
union is never in danger, provided its
members are loyal and true, which gen
orally is the case. 1t is when the body
has become power that danger may
be apprehended, and always from with
in itself
Many proofs could be cited, the causes
always the same-laek of unity, jeal-
ousy, politics of the leaders, never of
the led; then disruption. The import
ance of choosing leaders whom power
VIII not unduly affect, judicious, dis
Greet men must be understood and ap-
preciated and acted upon before there
can be any guarantee of the success
of any combination whatever. The
great business houses of the world act
on this principle. Railroads and all
other corporate bodies do the same. No
one ever heard of a railroad president
or secretary being elected by the stock
holders because he was a good fellow.
NO; they elect him to a position of
power and responsibility because he
possesses good hard rock business sense
and because he is specially adapted by
nature and training for the trust When
labor organizations realize this and do
likewise success is assured.
Consistency thou art a Jewel" is an
adage ever true. Many so-called labor
leaders" seem to lay awake nights
thinking out schemes to fetter capital
They are noisy in their Trades against
trusts, monopolies, etc. While it goes
without saying that limitations should
be placed on monopoly, under which
generic name l call trusts, etc, yet
condemnation Of all such comes with
bad grace from men whose dearest hope
is to be successful organizers of what
events of recent times In many portions
OF our country prove to be the most ar
bitrary and unlawful trusts, l. e., labor
unions improperly operated by radical
extremists. / am fully conscious of
WHdt say Wiltll write tneS6 lines
that there is no more despotic or tyran-
nical trust than is the union when run
by narrow-minded men. 1t is a menace
to the community, a clog in the wht ell
of progress, and at best is only toler-
ated for time, when it passes into
oblivion. / write this, however in n
friendly spirit, having cause to know
whereof / speak and deeply deploring
the necessity of so doing.
During the now more than SO years
OF the existence of the Bricklayers and
Masons' International union lessons n
practical economics have constantly
been given subordinates and through
them all members. At times it has oc-
Cured that subordinates persisted in
acting contrary to all law and reason
In such cases drastic measures were
resorted to, the eventual result re,leund-
ing to the rebelling union and to The
community in which 1t was located. The
Brlcklayers and Masons' International
union is based on law and order; It can
not violate or suffer any Of lis slihord-
mates to violate the laws If the coun-
try or the statutes of the state. AS The
constitution of each of the several
states is in conformity and must rot