The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-10-27
THE MENACE or UNIONISM.
The Destruction Of the Ind,Nidualism OF
American Labor.

To The EDITOR or The SrS-Sir' The
following extract from a letter has been re-
ceived from one of the largest gold and silver
mine operators ia the West. man whose
reputat ion for fair and square dealings has
never been impugned. His analysis OF con-
ditions TO which the present tendency OF
miners unions may ultimately lead is so
forclble from a practical point Of view that
quote il In support of the logical and rational
stand which The SrS has taken in this matter
The utter disregard of the rights Of the in
dividual and of the Avs of the country, vastly
important though they be. are not the only
considerat ions to which the thought ful Aneri-
can citizen should give his attention. and the
labornC man himself should not fail to see
that in he end he will be the victim OF n con-
diton which will result in the complete obli-
Grafton of his own individuality.
This l. the extract from the letter to which
I refer.
II the time comes that q man must belong TO
union before he can receive the protection guar
anieed every American citizen. the wheels OF prog
ress In this free country OF ours VIII have become
50 ensnared as TO bring to dead standstlll very
large percentage OF the various commercial enter
prlses now In successful operation and the business
Interests OF this country vii have become para =
lyzed The more see OF the unrcs Sona bleness of
most OF the leaders OF the miners unions the more
convinced ] become tina, 20 surrender 10 them
would IN the long run work greater injury By far
than can result from strict adherence TO the prin
ciple that unlnrorporsed and irrespon S,be unions
or any associations or organizations Whatsoever
as such, have no right to dictate terms and name
conditions that ind vduals or corporations must
conform TO. Irrespective Of the rights and priv.
legeS guaranteed under the Constitution.
have absolutely declined to allow the presidents
OF the various unions operating In and about here.
where I am interested. 10 como between me and
the men that are working for me and reserve the
a n In ~hsr MAR
Tor cause, making no distinction between union
and non union men, While their committees arc
Al perfect liberty TO call on me I claim the privi
lege Of dealing directly with the men themselves
Judging from the disposition shown by the union
leaders In this section II Is very clear me that
" they are permitted TO exercise the influence they
are undertaking to WELD NJ end OF trouble will
follow. and the low grade mines % this section
cannot be operated succcsSfully
AIN thoroughly SATISFIED that IN the end the
effects Of Organization as now directed by some
of the managers Will work pronounced injury 20
ell Kinds OF labor for II u reaches the point that
man who employs labor Is only To deal with few
principals who hold IN their control and under
their influence not only the labor that you are
DESTROYS Of employing. bu, as wei the lnd,vid
nality ~ each and every man to n large eYtcn,
that belongs TO the union. the organizations will
have succeeded In abolishng completely all 20
operative and sympat he'ic bonds tina, naturally
extend to. and should exS, between. the employer
employer would be compelled under the new con.
dluonS TO realize that there Is no particular en-
coufagcment offered or reason yhy he SHOULD take
friendly and serious interest In the welfare % the
employee who refuses IN be recognized as ar IN.
dvldual, having rights That he within himself
controls The employer under such conditions
would OF necessity. 10 the heads Of the different
organizations having labor FOR sale and arrange
II not directly. 'ndirectiy-fOr whatever he
required. and being Obliged to 50 arrange his In.
tcr'st in The employee would 10 very large q,
ten, disappear and the laborer he largely converted
Into a machine 10 he contracted ont and ARRANGED
for by the heads Of the different organizations
TO which he had been laugh, to account 70 or look
10 for his rights and privileges aud tplr prescr.
walton, and the employ ee'> individuality and the
sacred rights guaranteed to cvcry true American
citizen would be- annhllatcd condition OF things
that Il is indeed sad to contemplate
The persistence of uuioui,m along the
intimidation and disregard of both Law and
ethics will be the greatest blow TO growth
and de velopment TINT this country has ever
suffered. The commercial supremacy OF the
| nited states to-day l. in q great measure
directly due 10 the individuality of the Ampri-
can laborer. stamp ont this individuality
and treat both tho competent and the in
competent lahorer alike. placing all IN the
same class. and the practical result will he
the destruction of those very qualities IN the
American laborcr which mn ke him Supe rior
10 any other In borinc man in the world
NEW NoRK, oct -. r n \