The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-14

controversy with organized labor to volqn-
tary arbitration. and permit their indlgna-
tion TO warp their Judgment IN other
words. observing the difficulty OF attaining
itiStice they would resort 40 an imaginary
remedy which indeed, If enacted into law,
would prove a much greater injury ana
danger than the I'll of which we complain
1t is another instance where the remedy
would be worse than the disease Our
movement seeks 10 avoid strikes. We make
every effort in that direction, and are
largely successful therein. We realize, now
ever. that the best means OF avoiding
strikes is a thorough organization OF the
workers. and IL II also the best prepara-
tion TO maintain our members for and dur
ing a peaceable struggle We make for In
dustri2i peace and tranquility. We recog-
nize these as essential To our material ana
social welfare; but we ought never 10 De
asked and we never will surrender our
right TO protest and resist wrong or an
invasion of our rights or 10 be hampered
in a lawful. peaceable struggle for anchor
alton OF our condition, and for the mai
emancipation OF labor through the evolu-
tionary process OF building character, man
hood, Independence. intelligence, which in
spire nObler aspirations The men OF organ
ized labor want arbitration but only arbi-
tratiOn as a last resort after Cancellation
has absolutely failed, and then arbitration
only, voluntarily entered into by both the
organized workers and employers, the
award voluntarily, honorably and faithfully
adhered to by both sides.
Recently the unfounded charge against
organized labor has been repeated to the
effect that trade unions violate agreements
entered into with employers; and the un-
Informed. and particularly those antago-
nistic employers to organized labor, urge as
a remedy for this imagined evil the COM
pulsory Incorporation of the trades unions.
so that. as those referred to urge. the
h held W
sible' for the faithful carrying out Of agree
ments and TO be liable in damages in the
event OF their violation. On the surface
this proposition seems fair; but when we
bear I'm mind the fact that often judges
have deep-seated prejudice against organi-
Zations of labor; that the far-fetched in
depreciation in the Taff-Vale case, where
an organization of labor in Great Britain
was mulcted in damages for the actions of
an individual member, under the law
passed by the British Parliament as a con-
cession TO labor and that the enunciatiOn
of judicial principles is mutually inter-
preted and held by the judiciary of all
English-speaking countries, it is not diff
cult 20 divine the purpose that the advo-
Gates of compulsory Incorporation of trade
unions have in view. They would mulct or
outlaw our unions. the organizations which
are the factors i'm our modern life to work
for human progress by natural, rational,
peaceable and evolutionary means. In the
report l had the honor to submit to the
Scranton convention last year attention
was called to the various phases of this
subject Your attention is invited to that
report in connection with this subject mat
ter
Il need but add that there is a growing
tendency to agreement between the trade
unions and the employers as to wages,
hours, and other conditions under which
labor Is performed; and 1t Is the universal
testimony of employers, as Ii Is easily
susceptible of demonstration. that when
trade unions enter into joint bargaining
and agreements with employers, the terms
are honOrably adhered to. 1t Is usually
those employers who operate nonunion
establishments, those who are opponents
TO organized labor. who are the most en-
phatic in their charges of the irresponsi-
bility of labor organizations, and most
ciamorOus for the compulsory ineOrpOra-
ton of trade unions. Surely. We should
learn, not alone of our own experience,
but the experience of others who are
organized. as are American working
people, and these. together with the sources
from which this proposition emanates,
should settle once and for all our attitude
upon this mooted question.
JURISDICTION DANGER.
Beyond doubt the greatest problem, the
danger. which above all others most
threatens not only the success. but the very
existence of the American Federation of
Labor. Is the question of Jurisdiction. I
may truly record the fact that never for
one moment since the formation of our
federation have 1 entertained doubt or
misgiving as to the growth. success and
permanency OF the American Federation of
Labor. and / would not now be appre-
hensive OF it's future were il not forced
upon my deliberate judgment, which has
developed into firm conviction, that I'M
less our affiliated national and international
unions radically and soon change their
course We shall at no distant day be I'm the
midst OF an internecine contest unparaI-
leled in any era of the industrial world,
aye, not even when workmen of different
trades were arrayed against each other
behind barricades in the streets over the