Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-17

any rate, in the present instance II is being
tried, merely as an accessory. Its efficacy
has not by any means been established.
In the organization of modern society no
individual can say with exact truth that he
stands alone. Interdependence is the ad-
mitted rule, and this interdependence is
becoming more and more marked each day
as the progress OF our civilization adds to
the complexity OF our social organization.
What is true of society is true of business,
and of trades unionism. The basic prin-
ciple, it's very vital element of trades
unionism is interdependence. "An injury
to one is the concern of all' has been a
recognized motto OF union men for ages,
and it has now come to be applied in its
broader and higher sense to the affairs OF
the unions themselves Anything that af-
fects one organized union in some measure
at least Affects every other, and so must
be taken cognizance of by all. II It be
sufficiently serious. a sympathy strike is
the result. How far the sympathy strike
may extend depends entirely on the nature
of the injury; II sufficiently serious 1t may
involve the whole organization, a condition
that would certainly be a calamity In more
ways than one.
As to the boycott, a harsh word. and one
that springs from terrible condition.
readers of Irish history need not be re-
minded Of its origin. In It's present appli-
cation II covers a process much less drastic
and unpleasant than its original scope, but
probably not the less effective for its mod
Grafton 1t merely amounts to an exercise
of the right to withhold patronage from
any one who has become for any one Of a
number of reasons obnoxious. It can only
be enforced by mutual consent.
Neither the sympathy strike nor the boy
cott ~ resorted to until after all means Of
settlement have been exhausted, the as
sertions of the business men to the con-
trary Notwithstanding. A declaration of
unfair against firm or corporation can
be made only through a certain specified
course, and after certain welI-dehned and
carefully considered steps have been taken.
Any firm refusing to employ union men Is
unfair" per Sc. A firm that employs union
men can only be declared unfair for g vio-
lation of its contract, and then only after
all efforts to make an amicable settlement
have failed. In case of a dispute between
employer and employed the group Of men
directly affected first undertake to adjust
the matter through its suborganization: II
this fails, the matter goes to the whole
union, thence to the international union OF
that body, and finally II comes back to the
local union and Is then taken to the Central
Labor union. Only after the matter has
proceeded through this channel can the
declaration of unfair be made. This
ought to answer the assertion that "tha
unions insist upon the right at such times
and for such reasons as they and thew
alone shall deem ft" that they be ac-
corded the privilege to establish boycotts.
Both the sympathy strike and the boycott
are dangerous weapons and they are only
used IN extreme cases and then only after
mature and careful consideration.
believe l have now fairly and briefly
outlined the position of organized labor
IN its present attitude toward the employer.
AT no time is the union In a position of an
tagonism to the boss" except when forced
into it by a refusal to treat with the union
or to abide by the terms of contracts en-
tered Into willingly and, on the part of the
union at least, In good faith. have made
no charges against the business men, but
Iacts amply supported by evidence. might
be stated to an almost interminable length
to prove that they employ both the boycott
and the sympathy strike in their business
dealings; that they take the sternest meas
ures in dealing with their recalcitrant or
unfaithful members. and that, on the whole.
their hands are no cleaner In this matter
than those of the union men against whom
they inveigh so bitterly.
As to the trades unions attitude toward
arbitration: At all times and under all
circumstances, the union ig ready and will
ing to submit any OF its demands, rules or
regulations, to any impartial body of men
for arbitration and decision. It can never
consent to arbitrste its right to exist.
If the employers were to devote the same
amount of study to the problems involved
that the union men do, IL would lead to a
better understanding Men who treat with
their employees on the basis of fairness
realize an immeasurable return in the mat
ter Of better service; men who decline to
treat their employees fairly lose In the same
proportion. So long as human nature re-
mains constituted as II is, so long the con-
fiict will endure. If we ever attain that
beatifc state OF existence of which the poet
has sung, When all mems good is each
mans aim." then the trades union will
disappear, because they will not be needed.
Until then the business men of Omaha and
of all other communities may rest assured
that they will have to do with trades
unions, peaceably II they will, but certainly
in any event And in the meantime, the
trades unions will not abandon one lot or
little of the ground they have gained during
centuries of fight for better conditions of
employment.
Thanking you on behalf Of organized
labor for this opportunity Of presenting
what / conceive to be the merits of the
whole case. I am Very truly yours.
Lv. GUYE,
Chairman of Labor Conference Committee.