The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-09
THE VALUE OF LABOR UNIONS.
Columbian students in n Debate en-
the Industrial Problem.


Resolved. That labor unions are detri-
mental to the interests of the lahorinE
class" This question was argued before
the debating society Of the schools Of laT
Of Columbian University at Jurisprudence
Han last night The speakers on the
affirmative side of the question were
Byron McKloon. J. L. Mathews, and ].
Taggart. while the negative was upheld
by Royal c. jerks, p. II. Esterly. and c.
l.. Olson. The judges were d. 4. Knapp,
c. II. Trickey. and T. z. Guyton. The
verdict was in favor of the affirmative,
with first honors on points of delivery
consisting of argument and legal aspect,
to G. L. Olson. and second honors to J.
TagEart Byron HcKloou, the first speak
sr ON the affirmative. said that late IN
the eighteenth century labor began to
organize in England because they claimed
they were oppressed by the rich lords and
capital. An act of Parliament, however,
branded labor organization as dangerous
to the common veal. and they were
forced to disband as such. He argued
that the introduction Of machines is be
ing looked upon with disfavor by labor
unions. not withstandiuE the fact that the
past has proved that machines are not
McKIoon contended that labor unions
were most selfish; that they want to reEu-
late the hours Of labor and the wage
labor is to receive without consulting
capital. He also claimed that there were
nine or ten nonuaionists to one unionist,
ami that this one unionist was holding Il
club over the head of his brothers and
preventing them by force from making
Royal G. jerks was the first speaker
on the negative side, and he replied that
labor organizations as a whole could not
be held responsible for the misdeeds OF
single branches or individual members.
He argued that combined capital must be
met with combined labor
The second speaker on the affirmative
J. {. Mathews, based his argument on
the contention that laborer by joining
a labor union loses his individuality. He
asserted that a man could do more good
to himself and his fellow-betngs by act,
ing singly and retaining his ndiFldual
manhood. n -,
terly. who said that an argument against
united labor was an argument against
organized government he SAN t thdt
there was strength not only IN . union
of States. hut also in union OF llDor.
Belgium" he said. has very lew LABOR
unions. and its Industrial history has
been one of continual strikes, OF unceaS-
inc war Of labor against capital Many
beneficial laws have been passed tn, oISA
the efforts 81 organized labor. ana Dene-
fetal legislation cannot possibly pe cetrl-
mental to anyone. - a.,
]. Taggart was the last speaker for the
affirmative. and he COntended that every
raise in wages obtained by organized
labor was at the expense of the WEAKER
and less skillful laborer. lie sald that
living the labor unions were short hours,
no improvements in machinery, an wage
rates to be established by themselves.
c, 1. Olson closed the argument 1or
the negative, and made brilliant ana
powerful plea in favor of organized labor
Mr. Olson asserted that the best argu-
ment for organized labor was America $
supremacy in the markets of the wofld :
the superiority of the American mechanic
in every possible manner. lie SAID that
unionism had raised the standard OF man,
had entirely emancipated the laborer from
the servitude in which he was once
placed.