New-York tribune., 1902-11-15
LABOR UNION AND NATIONAL GUARD

In resentment at the employment of State
troons m Dreserye order in the region recently
affected by the Hudson Valley Railway strlke
the Trades Assembly of Schenectady passed
resolution calling upon all affiliated local unions
10 expel members belonging to the Natlond
Guard. In accordance with that resolution
Local Union No CO has expelled William fOlter
and has informed his employers OF MS eApui-
sion and of the refusal of its members 10 "olA
with him. Potter has in consequence peeh us
charged by his employers. with certlhcate ol
their satisfaction with his work. If they had
not discharged him they would douhtless ha's
had a strike on their hands at once. II, not
witbstanding that assurance, they had deter
mined not to discharge him, their conduct "ould
have excited much admiration That they ought
TO have taken that course should not be hasthy
assumed in ignorance of their circumstances
and obligations.
As to the general character of the acuoh
taken by the labor union there can be no DOUBT
1t was foolish and immoral. 1t is foolish De-
cause its effect is TO deprive the union OF the
resnect and goodwill which the union needs TO
preserve. 1t is immoral because it is unjust
to the individual Immediately concerned, an
affront to the State and virtual confession
that the union is opposed to the maintenance of
pubic OfueI- HlS last uSsCAI AIOA 10 AAN'AS ~
denied. but the essence of the act is what we
declare il TO be- Potter is good workman. and
there is nothing in evidence 10 show that he is
not personally desirable companion in work
shop The act of his which constituted the
reason for his expulsion from the union and
led TO his loss of employment was the act of a
good citizen. Having offered his services to the
State by becoming a member of the National
Guard he performed the duty which the State
exacted of him in an emergency, and performed
it creditably. so far as the record shows. For
this he has been turned out of the union which
had undertaken 10 promote his interests, and in
consequence has been reduced 10 idleness. If
there were nothing TO consider except the man.
ner in which the union has treated him, as an
individual, and the fact of ais injury, the case
would call for sympathy with him and con-
demnation of his oppressors.
But there is another consideration and more
important one A single instance of this sort
does not of itself work great public mischief,
but II does Enthusiastically contain a grave men-
ace 10 the public welfare. If it were widely
initiated. the results would compel universal
attention. and therefore it now suggests the
question whether or not situation has been
created, or is threatened for which no remedy
is available We do not deny that there are
difficulties in the way of answering that ques
ton satisfactorily; but this at least can be
said, that the action of the labor union in ex-
pelling William Potter because he is a member
of the National Guard would seem to contain
the elements of conspiracy TO thwart the es
sential purposes of the State, which, if not
obnoxious 10 the law as the law stands, can be
taken eogniZance Of by the legislature and made
criminal hereafter. We do not believe that the
State is powerless TO protect its peace and dig
nifty from such an assault.