The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-11-28
MINNEAPOLIS LABOR
REPLIES TO PARRY.
BUSINESS AGENT DEFENDED By A..
G.. BAINBRIDGE,
Speaker Says That Parry Is But the
AEitator and Walking Delegate Of
the Employer Association. Does
Not Extend the Olive Branch of
Peace, and Wants Nothing But War
Between Capital and Labor.


Its meeting Wednesday evening, decid-
cd to affiliate with the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor. There was a large
attendance Of delegates and a keen in
terest was taken in the proceedings.
and the advocates OF affiliation won
the day with scarcely any opposition.
The stonemasons have Withdrawn
from the Trades Assembly, presumably
anticipating its action. This union is
not affiliated with its international and
would not be able to retain its men,
bsrship in the assembly for this rea-
son.
committee Of three was appointed
by the assembly to draft reply to the
recent speech of D. M. Parry before
the Commercial club and the commit
tee will submit it's answer to the meet
ing to be held the first Wednesday in
December
A. G. Bainbridge, business agent Of
the Painters and Decorators union,
in commenting upon the addresses Of
Mr. Parry while in the twin cities
says:
Mr.. Parry in his speech both in this
city and St. Paul, lays great stress upon
''obeying the law Well, there is no
reason why the capitalists should not
obey the laws as they are, for all the
important laws relating to capital and
labor, have been dictated by the capit-
allistic power for years past, are in
their favor and 1T is we'll known to ALL
that many of these laws were bought
and paid for by corporations. IF the
law making of the different states and
the nation, was turned over to the la
Dor organizations for few years,
wonder if Mr.. Parry would then be
travelling about the country preaching
'obey the law" think not.
Mr.. Parry pays particular attention
to the agitator and the walking dele
gate. 1 would like to know what Mr..
Parry is if he is not the most radical
OF agitators and also the walking dele
gate Of the Employers association.
think Mr. Parry is unfair and un-
just, when he classes all walking dele
gates or business agents as blackmail-
ers. It is true we have had our Parks,
but what other line of business is there
that has not had such men as Parks?
The labor movement has lhundreds,xs
business agents tS.da Wv ii q al e. just as
honest, loyal to their country and
conscientious in their work as Mr.. Par
ry could be. Mr.. Parry doesn't look
with much favor on socialism and on
that issue the great majority of organ
lied labor will probably agree with him
to a large extent. AS the vote In the
American Federation of Labor conven-
tion in Boston last Wednesday will
show. but I want to say that there is
no man and no cause in this country
to-day that is making more socialists
than Mr.. Parry and his radicalism.
Mr.. Parry in his St. Paul speech
says: THE arbitrary wage scales OBJ
tanned by the unions are not paid by
capital but by labor itself" That looks
to me like another Of Mr.. Parry's mis-
statements. If that were a fact, why
should Mr.. Parry be spending his time
chasing around the country organizing
employers for the aVoWed purpose Of
disrupting labor unions, SO as to de-
crease wages and increase the hours Of
labor? If employers will pay the wages
and grant the shorter work day to all
their employees and treat them like
American citizens should be treated,
then conflict is over. The closed shop
question is a dead issue, the labor un-
these things could not be obtained ex-
cept through the influence of organ
ized labor
am afraid Mr.. Parry is not travelling
Through the land extending the olive
branch, preaching peace on earth and
good will to men,, but is storing up
greater strife, discord and hatred. We
all realize and deplore the fact that
there is already too much strife. Both
labor and capital are heartily sick and
tired of this continual contention and
we are waiting and hoping that some
one will come forward in the near
future with a plan upon which labor
and capital can get together. But
do not believe that any reasonable
thinking man, be he laborer or capital
1st, believes that Parry's plan to wipe
ORGANIZED labor off the earth will &C.
complish that end. Suppose Mr.. Parry
would take the $4,000 men, whom he
claims are the leaders of organized la
Dor in this country, out in the back
yard and shoot them: which he NO
doubt would do If he had his way, does
he think for minute that that would
end the struggle of the masses for bet
ter conditions? If he does, he is sadly
mistaken. Twice $4,000 leaders would
no doubt spring up and perhaps better
and more aggressive leaders. and the
great work for the elevation of man
kind would still be continued.
There are many wrongs in the labor
movement that should be righted and
we are looking for the man who can
help us right them; and, be he Mr..
Parry or any other man, rich or poor,
the doors of organized labor will be
open to him, and am sure all fair and
honest employers, Of whom there are
many will also welcome him. But when
they come with their war paint on,
threatening and boasting, insulting,
sfandering and belying men who are
honest and sincere in the work in
which they are engaged, when they
come looking for more trouble, 7 be-
neve they will find it, even if i Parry Pay
succeeds in. annihilating the present