The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-01-02
Concerning Laber Unions.

- shops in Springfield having
recently come before the Illi-
nos state board of arbitration for Of
fetal notice, that body has just handed
down an opinion of general interest.
After reviewing the evidence in the
case, which is not material to the part
that is of general interest, the board
proceeds This is distinctly an age of
cooperation, of the achievement of
results by concerted and harmonious
action for the common good of all,
we witness today combinations of
capital of a magnitude scarcely dream
ed a quarter of a century ago. There
have been in connection with some of
these combinations results that have
created widespread alarm; yet in the
sober second thought of the nation, 1t
is conceived that these combinations
are necessary part of commercial
progress; that the evils that have
arisen from them are of purely in
cidental nature and ultimately will be
ninimized or completely eradicated by
proper legislation.
$50, likewise, the tendency toward
cooperation, to organize for the COM
mon good and to attain common end,
has extended to the industrial masses
to such an extent that the labor union
is now found in almost all trades and
occupations. That men in these organ
izations, suddenly clothed with large
power, have sometimes exercised it un-
wisely, and that the men composing
the rank and file Of the organization
have sometimes acted upon bad coun-
sci, is undeniable. Yet this is far from
proof that such organizations are in
trinsically bad. On the other hand,
growing experience has shown them to
be a powerful agency for good. We
fail to perceive any reason for denying
the workingmen the same right to
combine for their mutual benefit and
protection as is exercised with greater
freedom by their employers. The labor
union is based upon the recognition Of
the potency of organization. Men
have learned in the great industrial
struggle that man is but an atom. If
he has a grievance standing alone he
is powerless to redress it. But when
he has the united cooperation Of his
fellows he is supported by power
that at least must command atten-
tion."
These are fair and truthful words
and we cannot imagine how any fair
minded man could possibly object to
them. The possibilities which are
within labor unions are great. But it
is always timely to inquire if the trend
of trade-unionism is in the right direc-
ton. Can those who are leading this
movement justify its employment as
a club to beat down the Worllingman
who, in the orderly exercise of his con-
stitutional rights, decides that he pre-
fers not to join Il labor union? Can
they justify forcible interference with
this non-union worliingman when he
occupies place that unionists on strike
have vacated? Is there any substan-
tial justification for the attempt, which
lies at the bottom of most of the trade
uionism of our day, to make the union
an instrument for restricting the in
dividual capability of it's members by
establishing arbitrary limits on pro-
duction, so as TO cripple the good work.
ers efficiency in the vain attempt to
bolster up the incompetent worker?
Those who oppose what appear to
them to be unjust and vicious features
of labor unions, and who frankly give
the reasons behind their belief are not
enemies but friends of organized labor.
Undoubtedly labor unions can be so
led as to do great good, not only to
their immediate members, but also to
the entire community. They can also
be made the Instruments of almost in
calculable harm. There is nothing so
sacred about labor union as to make
fair criticism a sacrilege, nor about
the average labor agitator as to entitle
him TO do what he pleases, regardless
OF the consequences upon others. The
cause of the American workingman is
not to be helped by an attitude OF
blind sycophancy on the part of those
who edit newspapers or hold public Of
flee. Nor is there any reason to be-
lleve that labor unions can be broken
satisfied that they are deriving sub
stantial benefit therefrom. If the or
ganized labor movement is under in
dictment in this particular community
it is because it has here developed un-
warranted eXcesses and fairly earned
the censure it has received. Until labor
unions can show to employers very
clearly that their effect is to make bet
ter rather than less efficient and less
willing employees; in other words, until
the union is Il means of improving the
individual member and making him
better worker and a better citizen, there
can be no general recognition of labor
unions by employers except such as is
forced, and that does not amount to
much,
We believe n time will come when
labor unions will merit general con-
fidence and respect. Some of them al
ready have reached this plane and
others are approaching it. But captlous
strikes, boycotts and the arrogance
that small men are accustomed to show
when clothed with a little brief author
ity simply retard the general recogni-
ton which the more ambitious labor
leaders seek and do unmeasured harm
to all of labor's real interests. This ls
fact which intelligent workingmen
must sooner or later face-the sooner
the better.
One stubbleheld, a Kentucky genius,