New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-26
JOHN MITCHELL'S BOOK.
Aduocates Membership Of Unionists
IN the Militia.

Organized Labor study of the situation OF
the labor unions of this country recently pub
lished by John Mitchell the president of the
United Mine Workers of America. and the leader
in last years great coal miners strike is doom
which will interest many people.
The preface of the book says that it Is written
In the hope of contributing to the mutual under
standing between employers and employed, winch
will make for industrial peace. and II Is dedicated
the better comprehension of the rights ana
responsibilities of all parties. whether OF labor
capital. and a better understanding between
these two great factors of production the book
is written throughout in a clear. direct flaiih
style. 1t is full condensed facts. and through
it all runs an air of authority The position OF
the unions is almost always taken for granted.
Mr. Mitchell says the union does or does not De
Heve want or demand this or that
The first few chapters of the book are given up
to a detailed history OF the labor movement IN
England and America. and a summary Of its
present legal status. well the machinery OF
its organization. Then it takes up the immediate
conditions of the unions their demands. hopes
and rights. careful review of the demands OF
the unions is given. and the usual arguments in
favor of the organization of labor are repeated.
The relations Of labor and capital are carefully
discussed. and Mr.. Mitchell Expresses the opinion
that harmony in the industrial world. and con
lions Mil '' he best rezed by unions Of both
labor and capital dealing together on equal terms
and with mutual respect
Combinations Of labor and capital are not
fraught with danger TO the public" says Mr.,
Mitchell There may arise coalitions which tenn
pOrariy extort unusual and undue profits. but
He believes that this cannot happen where the
unions OF both workngmen and capitalists are
kept constantly open to new members. When
this policy is not followed the attempted mOnOp
oily will break down OF its own weight. he thinks.
He says, further, that he does not believe. that
the great body of union members Will lend them
selves to any such exploiting of the public by the
capitalists.
Mr.. Mitchell does not oppose trusts, but be
iieves in their being so regulated that the in
terests of the wage earners and the general pub
lie will be Safeguarded. OF the union a trust
he says: IF by this ii is meant that labor is or
ganizing in such way as to deal collectively, 1t
may be freely acknowledged If however. il is
opoy, then il is entirely false
On the question of the membership of trade
Ilnionists in militia regiments. Mr.. Mitchell says
that while there is ground for the opposi-
been frequently used not only to preserve order.
but put down strikes, he declares that this op-
position is becoming less, and that greater mem
bership of unonists in the militia would tend to
strengthen both the unions and the militia.
The of the injunction, the incorporation of
unions, the use of the boycott. compulsory arbi-
tratiOn and other questions each taken up.
Considerable attention is paid to the nOn-unOn
union should be resorted to only in case
long persuasion has failed to bring him into the
union says Mr.. Mitchell Many reasons are
given in an effort to show why it is hard to have
shop tends undermine the work of the union
and makes il impossible for ii 10 deal effectively
with the employer. says the writer.
Several chapters given TO the story of the
coal strike of last year In August the strike was
in danger of collapsing admits the man who di-
rected IL.
The book is published by the American Rock
and Bible House. Philadelphia