The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-06-15

I sEAsT SUPERIOR STREET. !
surrendered his paraphernalia, which,
to the surprise of the local, involved
most of the manufacturers in Dayton.
Another spy reported is an ex-president
of one of our locals in Chicago, ILL.,, who
furnishes the bureau with information.
He made himself very popular in the
local. OF course he had an aim in view,
and got himself elected president.
While president he not alone gave in
formation about the workings of the
local, but Of all our locals in the city of
Chicago, and ably assisted in this work
by some prominent members. His SER
vices to the bureau would be further
advanced by removing to another city,
where he previously was a. member,
and he was employed there when found
out With him acted an ex-recording
secretary of local there. The secre-
tary occupied an exalted position
among our craft, and we believed we
had a sincere and honest trade union
list in him; but, we are sorry to report.
and most contemplate spies the bureau
furnished.
Another one who received stipend
from the bureau has been a member of
locals 3,44 and 6. He has been idolized
by every local in our international un-
ion. He supposed to be quite q pro-
fessional, but we find out that he is also
salaried spy. When he first visited
Cleveland as a professional the MEM
bers-of our local there to man laid off
and presented him with a~boquet OF
flowers, while Newark presented him
with diamond pin, and Chicago treat
ed him with the greatest courtesy. He,
with the rest I have mentioned, are at
present on trial in our organization,
and we propose to make an example of
them, not alone for the interest Of our
trade, but as warning to all labor
spies and traitors. 1t is the duty of
this convention to place final sentence
on them, and to devise what shall be
the penalty of those whom we find in
the futrue, as at present we are in pos
session of list of five hundred. AS
soon as We decipher the others we shall
take them up one by one and treat
them according to the Infamous crime
they have been guilty of. During the
last four years our business was public,
the actions of the organization being
just and fair, was never concealed.
The press was at all times welcome, be-
couse we believed the justice of our
cause needed no> secrecy; nevertheless,
with all this, We find manufacturers,
ones whom We believed were beyond re-
proach, paying degenerates-the most
contemtible and lowest specimens of
humanity-to convey to them the act
ions of our people. Also Of many in
nocent victims these scoundrels have
lied about and caused suffering and
want among their families, union men,
as we'll as non-union men, being at
their mercy.
When manufacturers have resorted to
such contemplate tactics it becomes
our duty to retalliate, and + would sug-
gest that this convention organize our
locals on secret lines. L would recon-
mend that each local select from among
it's membership a committee of five,
this committee to receive all important
information pertaining to the local, and
to give nothing out to the membership
unless they believe it advisable to do so.
This committee would take care of all
strikes and lockouts, and their actions
should at all times be secret, as our
future welfare depends on secrecy. If
the manufacturers, as we have already
stated, are willing to purchase informal
ton that any person could give, we
might as well compel them to pay for
the information that their spies cannot
get. Very likely after a while the in
formation sent will not be bona fide,
and they will get tired of their bureau.
I would also suggest that this conven-
ton decide that when strikes occur in
the futrue that a committee Of five
have full charge, as then we can know
whom to hold responsible for the in
formation given out. That the execu-
tive committee already mentioned act
on grievances, thorough investiga-
ton being made, and learn whether it
is the action Of paid spy, or Just
cause that is at the root of the trouble
BY following these lines. and by expos
Ing those whom we cannot trust, I be-
lieve that benefit will be gained to
our trade and the trade unions as a
whole. We find today in looking over
the history Of other countries that the
Car of Russia is forced to confine him
self in a steel cage, afraid of his people.
Why? Because 3. through his secret
agency of spies innocent men were pun
ished for crimes they were not guilty
Of. The manufacturers OF our country
no doubt wish the same plan to be pur-
sued, and II the force organized labor
into secrecy they themselves are to
blame and must take the consequences.