The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-16
Address by the Mine workers. Presi-
dent at the National Civic Fed.
Grafton Conference.
DEFENSE OF TRADES UNIONS
AND THEIR ATTITUDE ON THE
"OPEN SHOP" QUESTION.
COmpulsiOn Exerted by Organized La
bOr No Worse Than that Exerted
by Big Corporations.

CHICAGO. Oct. 15.-Discussion of the
question of the open shop by representa-
tives of labor and of capital took up the
greater part of the first session to-day of
the National Civic Federation conference,
which is endeavoring TO establish more
rightful relations between employers and
employees and to end strife
Various phases of the matter of freedom
of employment which is now agitating the
industrial world were presented by interest
ed persons. The discussion will be con-
tinued tomorrow, when it will become gen.
eral.
During his talk on "open" shop to-day.
John Mitchell, president of the United Mine
Workers. strongly denounced the nonun-
ionist and the strike-breaker, whom he
likened to criminal. Mr. Mitchell said:
by refusal TO work with nonunion
men labor organizations occasionally excite
acute irritation among employers and invite
grave criticisms from press and public To
refuse to work with nonunion men is to no
greater and to no less extent compulsion
than for life or fire insurance company
to refuse certain classes of people or for
any association whatsoever to set condi
tions under which IL will have dealings with
certain persons. The compulsion exerted by
unions, whether toward nonuniOniStS
employers, must be judged upon its merits
and must not be decried merely because OF
its compulsion.
1.-The majority of nonunionsts are not
malicious; only at the worst stupid and
apathetic. However. there is one group Of
nonunionists the professional strike break
ers, but little removed from the criminal
class. / do not mean TO say that every
strike breaker is criminal. Some of these
professional strike breakers are former
unionists. men who have been dishonorably
discharged from the union. eashiered for
conduct unbecoming unionist, If not
actually indicted for defalcations or other
never been in union and have never been
defiled or contaminated by work. With
the progress of trades unions and their
growth in strength there Will probably be
lessening in the intensity of feeling
against the nonunionists, but no lessenig
In the policy of exclusion.
I'm conclusion, / believe that trade unions
have a perfect legal and moral right to
exclude nonunionists. but that this right
shall be exercised with the utmost care
and only after persuasion has been tried
and failed"
Henry White. general secretary of the
United Garment Workers, spoke of "The
Solution of Industrial Problems through
Associated Action. He said Might alone
will never solve the problem. lit is highly
important when il enables the fellow un-
derneath to get a footing SO that both can
fight on equal terms. The situation would
be improved, as IL would result in farer
division of wealth. but il is far from salts
factory. as there Is a state OF war. and even
where fighting is not going on peace is a
sort of armed truce. There must be some-
thing more than might-a sense of fair
dealing and mutual forbearance if better
relations are to be maintained. Only as
people refrain from taking full advantage
of all their opportunities. in the case of
a family or in our dealings with friends,
will We get nearer solution and approach
real peace.
John NJ Stahl secretary of the Farmers
National Congress. spoke of 1.-The Public
by Farmer, touching upon the freedom
of employment. saying the "open shop
should be allowed and deprecating violence
on the part of the union man.
Francis l.. Robbins. president of the
Pittsburg Coal Company. believed harmony
between capital and labor possible. Com
pulsory arbitration he declared impractica- :
BILE but favored compulsory education in
the matter.
Henry G. Hunter. of New York. il was
announced. will be among the speakers on
the open shop at to-morrow's session,
at which Samuel Gompers. president of
the American Federation of Labor, is ex-
pected to preside. Senator Hanna, il was
said. would be in charge of Saturday s
meeting.