The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-31
Replies to MI. williams.

Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: 1t was not my purpose in answer
ing MIR. Williams In yesterdays Tribune
20 continue what to me seemed but a
frutlCss discussion. lam pleased, however,
that my letter has caused the gentleman
20 at least read carefully the trade rules
that have been I'm the hands of the con-
tractors of this city for several months.
Mr. Williams Is correct I'm his surmtse
that the Building Trades Council Is united
I'm enforcing the demands of the unions,
50 far as they have been made.
AS to his "hope" concerning the unfair
ness of the council in allowing some to
have the eisht-hour day, and leaving the
rest to work nine, he need pass no sleep
less nights. This is matter left en-
tircly in the hands of the respective
unions to first take action ON trade rules,
after which they are submitted to the
Building Trades Council for its approval.
Since Mr.. Williams. in his second let
ter, is disposed to handle the question
of increase fairly, ] acknowledge that
the actual increase to carpenters, includ-
ing the oight-hour feature, is 20 per cent.
AS to his talk of the 20 cents an hour
man, I have nothing to say except that
if he had any of that sort of men work
ing for him they are not members OF me
union, and the same process that ham
mcred them down to the low price would
prevent them from demanding the %
per cent. increase which he claims, ana
is an evidence of the advantages, which
he quotes, Of being outside the protc?-
tion of the union.
If Mr.. Williams has foreman who
feared to do his duty fairly between tho
union workmcn and his employer, that
foreman is n moral coward, and was filled
with an unwarranted dread of insults
which would never materialize. | have
never vet seen a foreman who dealt iaif-
ly between employer and employed who
met insults at the hands of the union.
But a foreman will meet with some re-
sistanCc who undertakes to discharge a
man for adhering to union principles.
Concerning the Wardner, Idaho, affair,
confess that | am not in position TO
discuss the subject of what led up to
the sad climax which Mr.. Williams
quotes. But if the matter was sittcd to
the bottom, l sincerely believe that the
same crafty methods which suggests
larson and murder" to strikers in SCran-
ton. even before the strike is an estab-
lished fact, were practiced in far away
Idaho. And l repeat that if any mill or
shop is destroyed as "A result of this
strike, insurance adjusters may look else
wher than in the ranks of labor for the
trcbug.
Mr.. Williams takes exceptions to what
| said concerning the loss of wages prior
to the existence of carpenters union.
know whereof 1 speak, and he need only
80 back to the period mentioned TO look
tor most convincing evidence. If CarpCn-
ters had been properly organized p years
ago. and maintained the rights then ac-
corded them by law the mechanics lien
law of Pennsylvania would never have
degcnerated into miserable farce. which
it did, viz: a law originally granting
labor claims precedence over all others
which, after passing through its various
eNOlutiOns, while labor slept unorganized
sinaily gave precedence to all other
claims over that of the working man.
and this at & time when man did not
give away his rights as a free-will
agent Is 1t. then, so strange that We
make these great sacrifices of rights and
get so very little in return?"
As to the sympathy which the gentle.
man 50 laVishly cXpends upon the fami.
lies of these foolish men. | would express
my sincere thanks, We're II not for the
fact that his sympathy is much like the
fellow who finds a friend who has fallen
over Il preCipice, and is dangling at tho
end of Il rope which he has grasped m
his downward flight. The woulG-be benC,
factor rushes to the edge and calls down
)
but I'll help You out;" then draws "A keer
edged knife across the rope getting hin
out of his bad fix" by dashing him dowr
to death and destruction below. [ hope
the gentleman will cease his worry Ovcl
the Few who have little to lose" "th,
| majority of sensible men," and the "bes
element Their interests are identical
and are being served by the alterations
in trade rules now going into effect"
As to the prospects Of the carpenter:
and their families suffering as a result T.,
| the strike, we feel that they are fully pro
tected from the chance of real suffering
The union rs prepared to meet the cN
penSe of maintaining them against wan
for an indefinite period hence there is nC
necessity for Mr. Williams to work him
self into any spasms over this particular
feature Of the strike. Then there is tht
possibility of need of all his sympathy
for himself before the affair is fully end
ed. More than one man has found montN
wasted when used for the purpose O
fighting honest labor. J. +. Lavery.