New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-13
LABOR UNIONS ASSAILED.
SENSATIONAL STATEMENTS BY THE
SECRETARY OF THE SOUTHERN
INDUSTRIAL CONVENTION

washington June In. F. Thompson secretary
~ the Southern Industrial Convention Of Hunts
vile Ala. made a somewhat sensational attack on
lsbor unions before the Industrial Commission to-
dsy.
Labor organizations to-day" said Mr.
-r-nrnpson. the greatest menace 10 this Govern
,ent thar exists inside outside the pale Of our
~srionsl domain Their influence for disruption
end disorganzation Of society is far more danger
ous 10 the perpeIuation OF our Government in its
-p-srv and power than would be the hostile array
Or our borders Of the armies OF the entire world
sonhined-''
Nr. Thompson declared that he made this state
raent after years OF close study. embracing the
principal industrial centres Of the North and the
south In support Of his statement ne said that
On every hand. and for the slightest provocation
al classes Of organized labor stand ready 10 in
a7,elirate strike with sil its attendant evils and
that III addition this. stronger ties of consoda-
non sre being urged all over the country among
labor unions with the view Of being able to in
sugura5e a sympathetic strike that will embrace
al classes OF labor. simply TO redress the grew
ances or right the wrongs Of class however
remotely located however unjust may be the
demands OF that class" He maintained that or
eanizatIons teaching such theories should be held
Is reasonable in their character. and their lead
err worse than traitors TO their country"
Mr. Thompson declared that many labor leaders
are open ana avowed Socialists; that their organi-
cations weakening the ties Of citizenship among
thousands y people. in that they have no other
standard q community obligations than what
these organizations incUlcate that they are Great
ing widespread disregard for the rights OF others
in that they are destroying respect for law and
authority among the working classes that they are
creating a1taRonisns between employer and en-
ploye that they ara destroying the right Of indi-
viEual contract between employers and employees
and forcing upon employers at arbitrary wages
and that they are bringing reproach upon the judi
cial tribunals Of our country by public abuse OF
these tribunals and often open defiance OF their
judgments and DEGREES. thus seeking to break
down the only safeguards OF free people The
remedy for these evils les, he said, principally in
correct public sentiment touching the relations that
should exist between labor and capital He also
suggested The organization Of employers in all lines
Of business as the first step correct the evils
in contracts forced OF individual employers by Ia
Dor unions. = uniform law that would take the
Individual workman out from under any ban OF re-
proach such as "scab" blacklist" he thought
would aid this general work Of re-ests blishng
rect relations between labor and capital and duly
protec; ne rights Of individuals
WOULD JUSTIFY HoMICDEs.
\ further law he added should be enacted that
would make il tustifabie homicide for any killing
that occurred IN defence OF any lawful occupa-
ZION. the theory Of cur Government being that any
one has the right 10 earn an honest living IN this
country sn9 any edoe@VG5 - & I e % @
with deprivation OF life and property.
N view Of the close relationship existing among
al classes Of citizens and the interdependency OF
al interests. strikes and DoycoJts, ne thought,
should be made & felony, both by National and
STATE legislation and 70 secure adequate relief for
the grievances for which strikes and boycotts are
started he suggested the formation Of State and
National boards Of arbitration, authorized and en-
powered 10 settle all matters OF differences be
tween labor and capital. and whose decree should
be binding al concerned
In reply 10 Mr.. Kennedy Mr.. Thompson said he
could not name q National labor leader who is an
avoxed Socialist but IN Alabama the agitators
were generally Socialists. He expressed the opinion
that public sentiment in the South would justify
the shooting Of union men who interfered with
non-union men at work, because II was held that
3 man had as much right defend his occupation
as ne had protect his life He said also in re-
ply 10 Mr.. Kennedy, that the South was holding
out as Involvement 10 the manufacturers OF tex
tiles the statement that II they came South they
would be free from labor strikes. There is. he
said q movement foot 10 put II beyond the
rover OF labor unions by Of compulsory
Thou pson expressed the opinion that negro labor
was essential 70 the prosperity of the South. and
said that the South was prosperous at the pres
time.
Henry 2. Devens Of New-York assistant secre-
tary OF the Metal Trades Association also
before the Commission. He gave the employers
version Of the ChicRR settlement with the Inter
great confidence Of the benefits be derived from
the arbitration clause IN that agreement saying
that he believed Il would prove efficient method
OF settling all differences in the future. He also
expressed the opinion that board OF arbitrators
composed Of in the work would be ac-
Csptabie than State board, because OF the proba-
Kitty that members OF 6 State board would
have the Information necessary 70 successful arb-
tration-