The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-09-28
News forn Field 81 Labor

~. 1<IQ
will strike hard and deep at the low
ers~ of n1unopottes tn this country.
I know that the plan outlined has
found favor In the minds OF some men
who stand high In the councils Of
trades unioniam: and If the scheme to
centralize the powers of organized la
Dor II carried to a successful finish
the odiousness Of the strikes Of the
past will be insignificant as compared
with the possibilities of future devel-
opments along this line.
True. such a system would strike
hard at the business interests of the
country, and would meet with disfavor
at the hands of many individuals who
were affected by these great un-
.heavefs of business. But, when we
consider that with q plan in perfect
operation for developing strikes Of
such colossal proportion that there
would be few strikes ordered, it does
not seem such dreadful scheme after
all. 49,
:. When I first heard suggestions Of
the possibility Of this plan of centrali-
cation of labor's forces, a few months
ago, it did not strike men as a favor
able proposition. But after witnessing
the results of recent strikes, coupled
with the determined stand taken by
ha
labor, 1t forces the conclusion that If
labor must strike, it should tie up ev-
cry branch of industry which contri-
bt1tes assistance to the capitalistic side
Of the light.
Z And this, apparently, is the idea adj
vanced by the proposed senate or
:::consress' Of labor, Of which we catch
an inl1ling now and again.
$50 The, result Of the weeks work at
Hazelton was the Issuing Of an ulti-
maturn to the operators by the United
Mine Workers union. A joint confer
ence before April; written agreements
thereafter, covering the wage scale and
conditions. Of. employment and strict
compliance with contracts now in force,
or e. suspension of.~Worky are the main
features- OF the ultimatuna.
90 Such, a. stand as this by the Mine
Workers union should not be necessary
at this time, but the facts set forth by
the committees report show that it is
imperative that drastic measures be
adopted by the union in order to enforce
the agreements proposed by the opera
tors themselves. at the close Of the great
coal strike last winter.
:: It IN not cfeditable to the. great an
thracite trust. nor to the few remain
ing individual operators, that they so
soon evince q desire to repudiate the
propositions on which the strike was
settled. But the fact that many oper-
ators are attempting to do SO should
have a tendency to strengthen the I'M
i6h throughout the entire region.
. The Increase in wages paid to the
mine workers did not effect 4 decrease
in the earnings Of the operators be-
cause the increase in the price Of coal
was about double the additional price
paid The "WorklnEn1eh.~ Since the piib-
lie dncomplaffiinEly shouldered the
burden Of expense Of the miners 10
per cent advance, 1t is q matter of no
little surprise to many that the COM
panies are now attempting to promll-
gate schemes by which they may
squirm out Of paying the increase.
The matter of signed agreements is
a fair proposition, and ought not meet
with opposition at the hands Of the
corporation Representatives.. There is
no good reason why tne represent
at1Xes of the companies should not
meet with the union officials, and come
to an amicable agreement whereby
future strike troubles might be avert
ed. The mine workers. officials have
proved that they can control the vast
membership which they represent, and
1t is now up to the companies to full
fill the tacit agreement made last
spring, to treat with the Mine Workers
union as an organization, provided it
could control the men and prevent them
from going on strike because of petty
grievances.
The WORKING card proposition is
looked upon with suspicion by the cor
poration representatives; and the op-
position to- TIE card Esysean ~ the
companies Is eyed with suspicion by
the union men. Just now It looks as
II this systeh1 was going to be rightly
enforced Nv the Union; and IL it does
become 4 part OF the general plan of
the union it will be found satisfactory
not only to the Union, but to all fair
minded operators a. we'll. ,..>
The card system :offsrs = guarantee
to both Sides Of a labor agreement
that the union can and Will fulfill its
pledges to empleyers. If the employ
er enters into the agreement in good
faith he has nothing whatever to fear
from the enforcement Of the working
card plA11.- ---~~- H. 49,. 's
That this plan is being opposed by
the corporation Representatives simply
indicates. that they are looking for an
opening Of escape from the enforced
signing OF an agreement with the Mine
Workers. union next April.
Every employee about the anthracite
6oal mines owes 1t to the Mine Work
er1' union to Identify hirnself with that
ortanixa ton. Il ha4 done tor the min
ers that which disofganized effort
failed for nearly thirty Year, to ac-
eo,nplish.. This Of itself should be an